Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work offers academic majors in Anthropology and Sociology leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a major in Social Work leading to a Bachelor of Social Work degree. On the graduate level, the Department offers the M.A. degree in Sociology.
Anthropology. Anthropology is the study of humans and their cultures and is organized into four subfields: cultural anthropology, archeology, physical anthropology, and linguistics. It focuses upon human cultural heritage and history and upon the biological and evolutionary aspects of humans which relate to cultural development. It emphasizes the comparative study of humans and the crosscultural analysis of their institutionalized responses to fundamental human needs.
The study of anthropology is relevant for persons whose occupations and endeavors require an understanding of human nature and biology, human history and prehistory, and the variety of cultures humans have developed. It is particularly useful for teachers of students from diverse cultural backgrounds, social workers and persons seeking careers in business and communications as well as persons who plan to work in or with foreign countries. It provides competencies needed for employment in such organizations as museums, government agencies, school systems, corporations, police departments, the Park Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social life. It focuses upon the forces which organize and structure societies and smaller groups as well as the forces which disorganize and threaten to dissolve them. As a science, sociology applies an objective and systematic method of investigation to identify the patterns and forms of social life and to understand the processes by which they are established and changed.
The study of sociology is attractive to persons seeking a liberal education and immediate employment as well as to persons preparing for further study and professional careers. As a liberal arts program, it enables students to understand the social contexts in which they find themselves and the social forces that shape personality, actions and interactions with others. As a preprofessional program it provides an excellent background for persons entering social work, law, teaching, the ministry, journalism, planning, public relations and personnel services. It also provides analytical skills related to market research and program evaluation in human services, sales, management and other business activities.
Social Work. Social work is a profession devoted to helping people function as effectively as possible within their environment. It focuses upon the prevention and treatment of problems in the social life of individuals, groups, and communities. Its knowledge is drawn from the social sciences and its own research and practice. The Social Work Program prepares students for employment in direct social services, case management, family counseling, and crisis intervention. It also prepares students to work in a range of field settings, such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, probation and parole officers, medical and psychiatric social work, and employment assistance programs. A Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares students for entry-level professional positions in social work practice.
The Museum Studies minor requires at least 18 semester hours including 12 hours of core courses, an internship experience or special project for 36 hours in the senior year, and appropriate electives. A list of courses recommended as electives is available from the Museum Studies Coordinator.
Transfer students with courses in museum studies may apply those courses towards Museum Studies electives or, upon evaluation of transcripts and course contents by the Museum Studies Coordinator and Advisory Board, toward appropriate core courses in Museum Studies.
Related work is arranged by the student in consultation with an adviser and may consist of a concentration of courses: (1) within a single discipline; (2) selected from two complementary disciplines; or (3) focused upon a specific topic. Students in the teacher certification program may use the courses in the professional education sequence as their related work. Students should consult with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work about internship opportunities in sociology.
Honors Course. The department offers an honors section of "Introductory Sociology," which is designed to introduce honors students to the basic ideas and methods of sociology. There are no course prerequisites for enrollment. Admission may be initiated by interested students or the department.
SOCIAL WORK MINOR
A minor in social work requires 18 hours in social work courses as approved by a social work faculty adviser, in accordance with the student's particular educational needs. At least three semester hours will be directed independent study in an agency. The primary purpose of the minor is to complement a student's major. It does not prepare the student for social work practice.