Criminology Courses
CCJ 2020 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Credits: 3.
This course is designed to provide an overview and general understanding of the structure and processes of the criminal justice system in the United States. It will cover historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and legal aspects of crime, law and justice.
CCJ 3024 Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice
Credits: 3.
Advanced overview of criminal law, criminal procedure and criminological theory. Special emphasis is placed on the components of the criminal justice system: the police, the prosecutorial and defense functions, the judiciary and the field of corrections. This course is required of all majors. (S)
CCJ 3301 Corrections
Credits: 3.
This course provides a critical examination of the philosophies, practices, and procedures employed in corrections in the United States. Topics and issues include correctional philosophies and ideologies, the history of punishment and corrections, jails, type of prisons, models of incarceration, probation, intermediate sanctions, parole, characteristics of prisoners, the subculture of the prison, the death penalty, and the future of corrections.
CCJ 3662 Crime, Gender and Race
Credits: 3; Prereq: 3LS/4LS major.
The objective of this course is to examine the relationships between gender, race, age, social class, and crime. Attention is given to theoretical explanations, empirical research, and patterns in criminal behavior and the criminal justice system.
CCJ 3701 Research Methods in Criminology
Credits: 4; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
Advanced research design and data analysis. Study of experimental and non-experimental research designs, probability and nonprobability sampling techniques, construction of scales and indexes and methods of bivariate and multivariate data analysis. Prior completion of an introductory course in statistics is recommended but not required. (S) (WR)
CCJ 4014 Criminological Theory (changed from CCJ 4604 eff. Fall 2009)
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
Advanced study and critical appraisal of various theories of crime causation, including an examination of biological, psychological, economic, and sociological perspectives on the etiology of crime.
CCJ 4037 Psychology and Law
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
Application of behavioral science research and practice to the legal system. Topics will include: psychologists and the legal system; lawyers: socialization, training, and ethics; legality, morality and justice; forensic assessment; the insanity defense; competence in the legal system; eyewitness identification; jury selection; theories of crime; punishment and sentencing.
CCJ 4058 History of Criminal Justice in America
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
An examination of the historical development of crime and criminal justice in America. Special attention is devoted to the development of the modern prison, police and organized crime in America. (S)
CCJ 4284 Law and Social Policy
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
An examination of the philosophical, legal and scientific modes of inquiry that is central to the study of law. Attention is given to applying the appropriate method of inquiry to the social policy question presented so that law and its effectiveness can be evaluated. Prior completion of CCJ 3701 is recommended but not required. (S) (WR)
CCJ 4622 Violence in American History
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
This course will examine the historical roots of American violence. It will devote particular attention to the history of racial, ethnic and domestic violence.
CCJ 4644 White-Collar Crime
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
An examination of individual criminality in the course of one's occupation and the crimes of organizations and corporations. Course will study the societal reaction to these "upper class" illegalities. (S) (WR)
CCJ 4681 Intimate Violence
Credits: 3; Prereq: 3LS/4LS major.
An examination of the factors increasing the risk for intimate violence, the effects of violence on victims, interventions to prevent and treat violence, and public policies. Topics will include child physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Law, social science, and feminist scholarship will be used to examine current controversies in these fields.
CCJ 4764 History of Drug Control
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
This course examines trends and developments in the regulation of drugs in America. This course emphasizes the study of the origins and impact of drug control, the evolution of drug treatment, and drug law enforcement.
CCJ 4905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major and instructor permission.
Qualified students and the instructor will develop a course of study or investigation designed to extend available course work. A formal written report is required. May be repeated, but no more than three hours of credit earned in CCJ 4905 may be applied to either major area requirements or minimum degree requirements established by the university.
CCJ 4934 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in topic up to 12 credits. Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
A changing-topic seminar which will examine a variety of current issues, techniques and problems in criminal justice.
CCJ 4940 Practicum
Credits: 1 to 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major and instructor permission.
Supervised experience in a criminal justice agency. May be repeated, but no more than three hours of credit earned in CCJ 4940 may be applied to either major area requirements or minimum degree requirements established by the university. (S-U)
CCJ 4956 Overseas Studies
Credits: 1 to 15; can be repeated with change in topic up to 15 credits. Prereq: Permission of undergraduate adviser.
This revolving topics course provides a mechanism by which course work taken abroad as part of an approved student program can be recorded on the transcript and counted toward UF graduation.
CCJ 4970 Senior Thesis
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024 and permission of director.
Qualified students submit a formal research proposal, carry out individual research under the supervision of a faculty member and prepare a formal written report of the research to a faculty committee. May be repeated, but no more than six hours of credit may be applied to either major area requirements or minimum degree requirements established by the university.
CJC 4010 Introduction to Corrections
Credits: 3; Coreq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
An introduction to the field of penology and corrections. Consideration is given to conflicting philosophies of punishment, criminological theory as it applies to the field of corrections, the selectivity of the process through which offenders move prior to their involvement in correctional programs, alternative correctional placements and empirical assessments of the short-term and long-term consequences of involvement in correctional programs. (S)
CJE 3114 Introduction to Law Enforcement
Credits: 3; Coreq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
This class examines the role of the police in the criminal justice system of a democratic society. Topics include the organization of police work, discretion, the role of law enforcement in a socio-legal context.
CJE 4110 Law Enforcement and Social Control
Credits: 3.
CJE 4115 Police and Society
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024 and CJE 3114, 3LS/4LS major.
An advanced assessment of poverty, minority groups, social class and cultural differences as they impact the police and police interactions with other segments of the criminal justice system. Special attention will be paid to problems regarding police training and education, career development, and community relations.
CJE 4116 Analysis of Police Organizations
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024 and CJE 3114, 3LS/4LS major.
An in-depth examination of current applications of organizational theory and research in modern police organizations.
CJE 4144 Private Security and Control
Credits: 3; Prereq: 3LS/4LS major.
To understand the role of private security in the prevention of crime and deviance against the assets of formal organizations and their employees, such as business corporations, retail stores, and educational institutions.
CJJ 4010 Juvenile Justice
Credits: 3; Prereq: 2LS/3LS major.
An examination of the development, change and operation of the American juvenile justice system. Special emphasis is placed on the nature of juvenile law on the methods of dealing with youthful offenders. (S)
CJL 2000 Law and the Legal Process
Credits: 3.
This survey course promotes an understanding of law as it relates to an individual's everyday encounters with the legal system. Actual legal cases may be studied to analyze how disputes are resolved by application of legal principles to factual situations, whether justice was served by the decision, and potential implications of the decision on future cases. (S)
CJL 3038 Law and Society (changed from CCJ 3038 eff. Fall 2009)
Credits: 3.
This course introduces students to the scholarly study of law from a multidisciplinary, liberal arts perspective. Students will have an opportunity to become familiar with legal ideas, legal institutions, and the legal process, with particular emphasis on the study of criminal behavior and the criminal justice process in American society.
CJL 4035 Children, Families and the Law
Credits: 3; Prereq: 3LS/4LS major.
This course will use scholarship in psychology and law to examine relationships and conflicts between the state, children and families. Issues will include child abuse and neglect, reproductive rights of adolescents, juvenile delinquency, and child custody, among others. The developing psychological capacities of children will be evaluated in light of their legal rights and responsibilities.
CJL 4044 Tort Law
Credits: 3; 3LS/4LS major.
A study of civil liability for damages caused by a breach of an imposed duty. Topics pursued include negligence, absolute liability, intentional torts, defamation, economic torts, products liability and damages.
CJL 4050 Juvenile Law
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
An examination of the juvenile justice system including delinquency, dependency and laws that have special application for juveniles. Special emphasis is given to the operation of the Florida juvenile code and the relationship between children and society.
CJL 4110 Criminal Law
Credits: 3; 3LS/4LS major.
A study of substantive criminal law. Consideration is given to its historical development, the tension between social and legal definitions of crime, the basic dimensions of criminality, the specific elements of major crimes, and the nature of criminal sanctions. (S)
CJL 4410 Criminal Procedure
Credits: 3; Prereq: CCJ 3024, 3LS/4LS major.
Study of constitutional rights of the accused in criminal proceedings. The course focuses on analysis of case materials involving the law of arrest, search and seizure, the use of confessions, fair trial, and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments.
CJL 4565 Law and Social Policy
Credits: 3.
An examination of the philosophical, legal and scientific modes of inquiry that is central to the study of law. Attention is given to applying the appropriate method of inquiry to the social policy question presented so that law and its effectiveness can be evaluated. Prior completion of CCJ 3701 is recommended but not required.
Sociology Courses
SYA 4110 Development of Sociological Thought
Credits: 4; Prereq: 9 hours of sociology.
Comparative study of the major ideas of the principal contributors to the development of sociology. Emphasizes relevance of these ideas to contemporary social thought and current social issues.
SYA 4300 Methods of Social Research
Credits: 4; Prereq: 6 hours of sociology, STA 2023 and STA 3024.
Introduction to the scientific method and its application to social science research. Research design, data collection and selected topics related to computer data analysis and interpretation.
SYA 4506 Writing in Sociology
Credits: 3; Prereq: sociology majors only.
Will help sociology majors improve the quality of writing professional sociological reports.
SYA 4010 Advanced General Sociology
Credits: 3; Prereq: 9 hours of sociology.
Intensive advanced theoretical study of the general principles of sociology, sociological concepts and social issues by emphasizing classical and/or contemporary schools of sociological thought.
SYA 4905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 4; can be repeated with change in content up to 8 credits. Prereq: 9 hours of sociology and department permission.
Designed to permit students to work in areas not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
SYA 4930 Special Study
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 12 credits. Prereq: 9 hours of sociology. Various specialized topics.
SYA 4931 Department Honors in Sociology
Credits: 3.
SYA 4941 Internship in Applied Sociology
Credits: 3; can be repeated with department approval and a different field placement. Prereq: 6 hours of sociology and department permission.
Supervised individual practicum in sociology through internship placement in social services organizations.
SYD 3410 Urban Sociology
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000 or department permission.
The development of cities and their spatial and social structure. Critical problems and solutions. Integration of people in the social setting. Social implications of city planning. (N, S) (WR)
SYD 3630 Latin American Societies
Credits: 3.
Latin American culture and social structure. Historical, geographical, economic, social and population characteristics of Latin American nations. Spanish, Portuguese, English and American exploitation of Latin America. (N, S))
SYD 3700 Minorities in American Society
Credits: 3.
Sociological analysis of the structure, social processes and efforts to effect change of racial, ethnic and religious minorities. (S, D) (WR)
SYD 3805 Gender and Health
Credits: 3.
An examination of gender differences and similarities in health and illness in the United States. Uses a broad focus on health and illness across the life course and integrates social and biomedical determinants of health.
SYD 4020 Population
Credits: 3.
Characteristics and trends in the population of the contemporary world. Historical and current growth patterns related to resource conservation, food production and modernization in various regions of the world. (S, N)
SYD 4021 U.S. Population Issues
Credits: 3.
Introduces students to major issues related to population size, growth, and composition in the United States. Covers historical and contemporary population issues, and introduces some basic demographic measures and sources of data.
SYD 4510 Environment and Society
Credits: 3.
Social foundations of environmental problems and social responses to environmental issues, including contestation, conflicts and movements.
SYD 4512 Social Institutions and Environment
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000 or consent of instructor.
Provides a study of the promise and limitations of new social institutions associated with environmental improvement, such as fair trade, corporate social responsibility and eco-labeling schemes. (S)
SYD 4701 Nationalism and Ethnicity in Europe
Credits: 3.
This course is a comparative study of roles played by nationalism and ethnic identity in modern Europe. (N, S)
SYD 4800 Sociology of Gender
Credits: 3.
Examines the social construction of gender in everyday life; how gender structures social institutions such as the economy and mass media; and how gender shapes the distribution of resources, power and privilege in ways that benefit men over women. (S, D)
SYD 4808 Reproduction and Gender
Credits: 3.
Examination of contemporary reproductive issues in U.S. context. How culture and social structures shape reproductive realm while exploring social psychology of individuals' reproductive experiences. (S, D)
SYD 4810 Sociology of Women
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000 or SYG 2430.
An examination of the gender-based system of social stratification that exists in Western societies. Attention is given to various social institutions (e.g., education, family, religion, economy). (S, D)
SYD 4820 Men and Masculinities
Credits: 3.
Focuses on issues related to traditional and emerging images of masculinity in the past, present and future. The relationship between social forces and males' everyday life experiences across the life-span is emphasized. (S, D)
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology
Credits: 3.
Introduction to sociology as a social science and analysis of American society. Culture, socialization, deviance, bureaucracy, population, urbanization, social stratification, minorities and other topics. (S) (WR)
SYG 2004 Principles of Sociology (Honors)
Credits: 3.
Available only to students in the invitation only UF Honors Program. Students in the UF Honors Program must follow registration procedures as listed in the online catalog under the "Honors Program" section. This course covers various topics that can parallel those covered in SYG 2000. (WR)
SYG 2010 Social Problems
Credits: 3.
The development, analysis and treatment of social problems. Crime, poverty, prejudice and discrimination, pollution and environmental despoliation, drug abuse, mental illness and others. Special attention to factors in U.S. society that cause social problems. (S) (WR)
SYG 2430 Marriage and Family
Credits: 3.
Development of masculine and feminine roles. Recent changes in premarital interaction, such as dating, sexual involvement, coed dorm living, living together. Mutual adjustment and parenthood. Alternative family structures. (S, D) (WR)
SYG 2930 Specialized Topics
Credits: 3.
May be repeated for credit with change of topic for a maximum of 6 hours.
SYG 4956 Overseas Studies
Credits: 1 to 18; can be repeated with change in topic up to 18 credits. Prereq: Permission of undergraduate adviser.
This revolving topics course provides a mechanism by which course work taken abroad as part of an approved student program can be recorded on the transcript and counted toward UF graduation.
SYO 3534 Poverty
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
The social, cultural, economic, political and psychological implications of being poor. Sources of poverty in the structure and operation of society: consequences of poverty for society. Current and feasible policies for easing the problem. Survey of the contemporary United States with reference to its past and to other nations both developed and underdeveloped.
SYO 4102 American Families
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
The impact of rapid social changes upon families; race, class and ethnic variations. The liberation of women and changing family roles. Alternative life styles and the futures of families.
SYO 4180 Families and Work
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
Focuses on the overlapping worlds of work and family. Examines unpaid work that takes place in or around the home as well as paid labor performed in the workplace. An emphasis on female labor force participation.
SYO 4200 Sociology of Religion
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
The sociological perspective on religions including their ideologies and rituals. Social aspects of the religious and religious aspects of the social. Organized religions and religions (S, N) (WR)
SYO 4300 Political Sociology
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
Applies sociological analysis to political themes in a comparative context. (S)
SYO 4352 Consumption, Economy and Society
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000 or consent of instructor.
Introduces the field of economic sociology, defined as the study of economic life using the sociological imagination. (S)
SYO 4400 Medical Sociology
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
Effects of group characteristics in the causation, amelioration, and prevention of mental and physical illness and social influences in medical education, medical practice, and hospital administration.
SYO 4530 Social Inequality
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
The unequal distribution among individuals and groups of wealth, power and prestige; the effect of class systems upon society; the effect of class membership on individuals; social mobility. (S, D)
SYO 4540 Organizations
Credits: 3; Prereq: 12 hours of sociology or the equivalent foundations in education administration, industrial and systems engineering, management, or political science.
The behavior of individuals and systems in formal organizations; bureaucratic models; government, hospital, church, school, industry, etc., as manifestations of a common principle.
SYP 3000 Society and the Individual
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
Relation of the individual to the social environment with special reference to person perception, self formation, self disclosure, attitude formation and change, and group structure and processes. Social forces that shape the lives of individuals and how individuals adjust to modern society. (S) (WR)
SYP 3510 Deviance
Credits: 3.
An introduction to the sociology of deviance. Special emphasis on the definition of deviance; types of deviant behavior such as suicide, drugs and alcohol abuse, sexual deviance, deviant subcultures, violence, etc.; differential labeling and institutional processing; and implications of social control. (S) (WR)
SYP 4060 Sociology of Human Sexuality
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
This course examines theoretical and conceptual issues, empirical research and social policies germane to human sexuality with a primary focus on the U.S. Topics include: sexual identity and orientation; sexual behavior; social control of sexuality; social implications of STDs and HIV/AIDS; and the relationship between sexuality and the socio-political process.
SYP 4520 Criminology
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000.
Nature and causes of crime, criminality and criminal careers. Research in crime and delinquency. Sociological analysis of criminal law, criminal justice, rehabilitation, punishment, prevention and deterrence.
SYP 4550 Alcohol, Drugs and Society
Credits: 3.
Overview of alcohol and drug use and abuse in modern society. Emphasis on social characteristics, social processes, policy and programs in socially accepted and deviant use.
SYP 4730 Sociology of Aging and Life Course
Credits: 3.
Social and personal conditions of post-retirement years; family and housing patterns, income, leisure, health, group processes; and evaluation of institutional care for the aged. (S, D)
General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.
- Biological Sciences (B)
- Composition (C)
- Diversity (D)*
- Humanities (H)
- International (N)*
- Mathematics (M)
- Physical Sciences (P)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)
* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not completed six hours of international/diversity (I) credits can do so now by taking D and N courses.
Symbols Used in Course Descriptions
- (WR): the course satisfies the writing requirement.
- (MR): the course satisfies the math requirement.
- (S-U): the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
- Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.