Corrections

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department of Sociology & Corrections
113 Armstrong Hall
Phone: 507-389-1561
Website: Sociology & Corrections

Chair: Kimberly Greer

Barbara Carson, Joe W. Davis, James Robertson, Pedro Thomas, Sherrise Truesdale, William Wagner

The Corrections major is designed to prepare students for entry level professional work in corrections. The major is built upon a foundation of general education, sociological and criminological concepts, and a commitment to understanding and transforming correctional practice. The major achieves its objectives through the melding of academic learning with experiential education. This program is further expected to promote, within corrections and to the community at large, a commitment to the principles of social justice, respect, tolerance, dignity and worth of all persons.

Admission to Major

Students enrolling in 300-400 level courses must be admitted to the program. Admission is granted by the Department. Minimum university admission requirements are:

• a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
• a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C).

Corrections BS

Required General Education (6 credits):

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
• CORR 106 Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems (3)

Required for Major (Core, 33 credits):

• CORR 255 Juvenile Delinquency (3)
• CORR 300 Foundations and Orientation to Corrections (3)
• CORR 442 Criminology (3)
• CORR 443 Penology (3)
• CORR 447 Community Corrections (3)
• CORR 448 Correctional Law (3)
• CORR 449 Correctional Counseling (3)
• CORR 496 Field Practice in Corrections (10)
• CORR 497 Capstone Seminar (2)

Required Electives (15 credits):

Choose six credits from the following:

• SOC 409 Family Violence (3)
• CORR 441 Social Deviance (3)
• CORR 451 Law and Justice in Society (3)
• CORR 452 Victimology (3)
• CORR 453 Treatment Methods in Corrections (3)
• CORR 459 Issues in Corrections (3)
• CORR 465 Law and Chemical Dependency (3)

Choose one course from Social and Behavioral:

• SOC 351 Social Psychology (3)
• SOC 486 Modifying Behavior in Social Settings (3)

Choose one course from Methods of Research:

• SOC 201 Social Research I (3)
• SOC 469 Survey Research (3)
• SOC 479 Sociological Ethnography (3)
• SOC 480 Social Observation (3)

Choose one course from Inequality, Race, Gender and Ethnicity:

• SOC 463 Social Stratification (3)
• SOC 446 Race, Culture and Ethnicity (3)
• SOC 485 Selected Topics:
  • Women, Crime, and Social Control (3)
  • Race, Crime, and Justice (3)
  • Violence in the Workplace (3)

or other approved diversity course

Required Minor. Yes.

Corrections Minor

Required for Minor (Core, 9 credits):

• CORR 106 Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems (3)

Choose at least two courses from the following:

• CORR 255 Juvenile Delinquency (3)
• CORR 441 Social Deviance (3)
• CORR 442 Criminology (3)

Required Electives for Minor (12 credits):

• CORR 300-400 Level
• CORR 300-400 Level
• CORR 300-400 Level
• CORR 300-400 Level

Policies/Information

GPA Policy. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is required for all coursework in the major. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 for courses taken in the major to be eligible for field practice or internship.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a major or minor in Corrections may not be taken on a P/N basis, except where P/N grading is mandatory.

Course Descriptions

CORR 106 (3) Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems
Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.
F, S
GE-5, 9

CORR 132 (3) Crime and Punishment
An interdisciplinary course which explores crime and punishment utilizing and developing critical thinking skills. Emphasis is placed on the process of developing and critiquing one's own hypotheses as they relate to crime and punishment.
F
GE-5

CORR 250 (3) Social Justice in School and Community
Analyzing justice as it relates to (1) education, and (2) the criminal justice system. Emphasis is on comparing Retributive Systems with the "newer" Restorative Justice. Active learning methods in the classroom, schools and communities, including Service-Learning.
Variable
GE-9

CORR 255 (3) Juvenile Delinquency
A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency.
F, S
GE-5, 9

CORR 291 (4) Exploratory Studies
May be used to explore areas of interest not covered in regular courses. A maximum of three hours applicable toward a major or minor in the department with consent of an advisor.
Pre: Consent F, S

CORR 300 (3) Foundations and Orientation to Corrections
To introduce majors to academic concepts and policy is- sues in Corrections. Begin student portfolios to connect learning across classes. Participate in service-learning experiences working with clients in corrections.
Pre: CORR 106 and SOC 101 F, S

CORR 417 (3) Program Administration
Implications of Sociological Knowledge for the administration of Human Services programs. Theoretical and practical aspects of administration with the Social Service systems.
Pre: SOC 101 S

CORR 441 (3) Social Deviance
Sociological perspective on social deviance; overview of theoretical approaches; emphasis on symbolic interactionism; issues of social control; research examples and policy implications.
Pre: SOC 101 F, S

CORR 442 (3) Criminology
A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.
Pre: SOC 101 F, S

CORR 443 (3) Penology
Addresses the justifications and the historical development of punishment, the legal and policy issues concerning capital punishment, and the use of incarceration as a response to crime.
Pre: CORR 106 and 300 F, S

CORR 444 (3) Women in the Criminal Justice System
This course focuses on the experiences of women in the criminal justice system as victims, offenders, and professionals. Women's involvement in this system (whether they were a defendant, an attorney, an inmate, a correctional officer or a crime victim) has often been overlooked or devalued. The goal of this course is to bring the special needs and contributions of women in the criminal justice system into sharper focus.
F
CD-Core

CORR 447 (3) Community Corrections
Addresses theoretical roots, historical developments, and current practices of probation, parole, and other community corrections programs. Special attention is given to innovative, future approaches to community corrections.
Pre: SOC 101 and CORR 106 F,S

CORR 448 (3) Correctional Law
Examines the rights of inmates, probationers, and parolees.
Pre: CORR 106 and 300 F, S

CORR 449 (3) Correctional Counseling
Principles and methods of individual and group counseling with juvenile and adult offenders; development of interpersonal helping skills, negotiation, and mediation skills.
F, S
CD-Related

CORR 451 (3) Law and Justice in Society
A critical look at the construction of the concepts of law and justice as it operates in the United States and an application of the principles of justice to community issues.
Pre: SOC 101 and CORR 106 S

CORR 452 (3) Victimology
Overview of characteristics of victims, victim offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice.
Pre: SOC 101 and CORR 106 FCD-Related

CORR 453 (3) Treatment Methods in Corrections
Examination of major correctional treatment models, e.g., individual and group counseling approaches, behavior modifications, reality therapy and transactional analysis. Considerations in planning, implementation and evaluating juvenile and adult treatment programs. Critical evaluation of research on the effectiveness of various treatment methods.
Pre: CORR 449 S
CD-Related

CORR 459 (3) Issues in Corrections
A critical examination of current issues in the correctional field.
S
CD-Related

CORR 465 (3) Law & Chemical Dependency
Addresses aspects of criminal and civil law pertinent to substance abuse.
F

CORR 485 (2-6) Selected Topics
Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic varies.
Pre: SOC 101 Variable

CORR 491 (1-6) In-Service
Topics vary as arranged by students and instructor. May be retaken for credit.
Variable

CORR 492 (1) Honors Reading
For Honors students only.
Variable

CORR 496 (10) Field Practicum: Corrections
Full time experience in a corrections agency with an emphasis on the development of skills. For Corrections majors only. Required for major. Formal application required.
Pre: Consent F, S

CORR 497 (2) Capstone Seminar
Capstone is an evaluative course which allows students to document their learning and provide an assessment of their personal learning and the effectiveness of the Corrections Program. To be taken concurrently with CORR 496.
Pre: Completion of all other required CORR courses. F, S

CORR 498 (1-12) Internship: Corrections
The internship in Corrections is designed to provide opportunities to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and to identify areas in which further growth is needed.
Pre: Consent F, S

CORR 499 (1-6) Individual Study
A maximum of six credits is applicable toward a single major in the department; three credits toward a minor.
Pre: Consent