With: Suzanne Goebel, goebels@beloit.edu

In this course, students deepen their understanding and role in the community by working with local organizations and businesses that serve the city of Beloit. Students will also learn about different approaches to community development and social change by examining strengths and assets of non-profit, for-profit, government, and grassroots institutions. This is a community-based learning course, integrating fieldwork and reflection.

Each student is assigned a placement with a community partner where they are supervised by experienced community leaders and assist in supporting the mission of the institution. Students spend approximately seven hours a week (90 hours a semester) at their placement. Students reflect on their experiences at their site placements and the role of individuals and institutions in communities through supporting readings, materials, and activities used during weekly class periods.

Students must apply and provide references to be admitted into this course.

With: Ron Watson, watsonrd@beloit.edu

A seminar offered every fall to consider current issues in health and medical care in the United States and other countries. As the capstone course for the major, students reflect on career-relevant knowledge and experience by applying and articulating what they have learned while navigating their undergraduate education. (CP) Prerequisite: junior or senior standing (junior standing requires instructor consent).

With: Suzanne Cox, coxs@beloit.edu

This course examines the physical, social, and cognitive changes that occur between conception and older adulthood. A wide range of issues will be addressed, such as the contributions of genetics and the environment, gender differences, family and interpersonal relations, career development, retirement, and death. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

With: Suzanne Cox, coxs@beloit.edu

Through hands-on engagement and academic reflection, this course provides students with the opportunity to further develop and apply their psychological knowledge in an area of personal and community interest.

With the help of the instructor and community partners, students will complete a project or internship involving approximately six hours a week (approximately 70 hours over the course of the semester) working with and/or at an assigned field site in the local community.

In addition, class meetings will focus on the development of professional skills and career planning, as well as discussion of the opportunities and challenges of putting psychology into practice. (CP) Offered most years. Prerequisite: Psychology 162 and senior standing; approval of department.

With: Kate Linnenberg, linnenbe@beloit.edu

An examination of dominant demographic changes in family structure in the United States. We study major variations in family life as shaped by social class, race/ethnicity, and sexuality. Exploration of select topics such as single motherhood, childrearing practices, marriage, the division of household labor, and family policy. (Also listed as Critical Identity Studies 245.) Offered every other spring. Prerequisite: Sociology 100 or 150, or consent of instructor.

With: Charles Westerberg, westerbc@beloit.edu

Law and the criminal justice system as forms of social control. Law enforcement, courts, corrections— their social, cultural, institutional, and practical foundations and effects. Theoretical and applied analyses, critical appraisal of criminal justice as related to law, punishment, and justice. Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Sociology 100 or 150, or consent of instructor.

With: Kate Linnenberg, linnenbe@beloit.edu

This course focuses on the application of sociological theories, paradigms, and methods in examining social processes. Students focus on particular institutions to examine some aspect of institutional structure, culture, or interactions.

The goal is to identify patterns in social processes within institutions and to utilize sociological theories, paradigms, and methods to make sense of these patterns. The course also focuses on the structure of the sociology major, a liberal arts education, and post-college pathways. (CP) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Sociology 100 or 150, 200, 205, and 211.

With: Sylvia López, lopezs@beloit.edu

This course examines topics related to the Latinx experience in the United States. Using films, documentaries, multidisciplinary writings and/or literary pieces, this course also focuses on particular Latinx sub-populations in the United States, on identity and ethnicity, immigration, as well as issues relating to language, gender and sexuality, social movements, and/or politics. Students are required to spend time at an assigned field site to engage directly with local Latinx members. Prerequisite: Spanish 240 or consent of instructor.