Degree
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Applied Social and Cultural StudiesMission
The mission of the Department of Society, Culture and Languages is to offer a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on cultural, global, and political dynamics. The department provides a combination of theoretical, scientific, and practical approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture as well as hands on learning are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Our goal is to graduate students with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate study in related areas.
Degree Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social and Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary degree which allows students to integrate coursework from sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, communications and other related fields of study. The major core emphasizes social science methods and ways of knowing while introducing students to a variety of social science disciplines. Within the Applied Social and Cultural Studies degree, students will also pursue a concentration in one of the three particular content areas.
In addition to the interdisciplinary approaches to the social sciences, there are two unique elements to this program. First, students will complete an internship. This will help students explore experiential learning, applications of applied social and cultural studies to the real world, and undertake career explorations. Second, students will participate in a semester-long applied interdisciplinary experience. With this experience a student can choose to study abroad, work in a variety of agencies, programs and organizations, or complete an intensive research project.
Overall, this program will provide students with a strong foundation for understanding today's social issues and problems. The student will also have a wide range of skills and experiences that will enhance their future educational and career opportunities as well as enable them to be a more active and aware citizen.
Curricular Requirements
| credits | |
|---|---|
| 42-43 | |
| Credits | |
| Program Required Courses | |
| Three of the following four courses: | 9 |
| ANT 102 - Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| PSC 105 - Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| And | |
| SOC 268 - Statistics and Methods for Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 270 - Classical Sociological Theory or SOC 280 - Contemporary Social Theory |
3 |
| SOC 300 - Sociology Internship | 3 |
| SOC 370 - Applied Field Methods | 3 |
| SOC 491,493, 494 - Applied Capstone Experience | 9-15 |
| Total Credits in Core of Major | 30-36 |
| Concentration Credits (see below for course options for each concentration) | 12 |
| Total Credits in Major | 42-48 |
| Open elective credits (needed to reach 120 credits) | variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
Applied Concentrations
After taking the course required by the major the student will select one of the three areas of concentration. A minimum of four (4) courses must be taken in the student's selected concentration for a total of twelve credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. A maximum of one humanities course (ENG, REL, HIS, PHI) can be counted toward the concentration.
Health, Medicine and Society
This concentration is for students interested in pursuing a career in public health, health administration, mental health and related fields, as well as students interested in pursuing graduate work in public health, medical sociology, medical anthropology and more. Courses examine the phenomenon of health, illness, disability and mental health issues; the organization and delivery of healthcare; the production of medical knowledge and alternative health systems. Students in this concentration are well prepared to advance to graduate study in public health, community services and a variety of other health and service related fields.
| Sample Electives | Credits |
| ANT 211 - Medical Anthropology | 3 |
|
ANT 224 - Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights |
3 |
| ANT 425- Sex, Gender, Sexuality: Critical Perspectives | 3 |
| SOC 224 - Family, Health and Social Change | 3 |
| SOC 226 - Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 228 - The Sociology of Aging | 3 |
| SOC 275 -The Sociology of Food and Health | 3 |
| SOC 355 - Medical Sociology | 3 |
| PSY 205 - Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 235 - Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 - Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSY 295 - Listening/Communication Skills | 3 |
| PSY 310 - Children and Stress | 3 |
| PSY 370 - Drugs, Society and Behavior | 3 |
| PSC 325 - Politics and Public Health | 3 |
Society, Human Services and Society
This concentration is for students interested in careers in business, social work, social policy, human services administration, community development, education and more. Courses focus on helping students to understand the communities, institutions and constituents that are involved in community service and development. Concentration courses focus on content, process and application in the community. Students are thus well prepared to advance to graduate study in social work and community studies.
| Sample Electives | Credits |
|
ANT 312 - Human Trafficking |
3 |
| ANT 425- Sex, Gender, Sexuality: Critical Perspectives | 3 |
| SOC 210- Displaced Cultures and Society | 3 |
| SOC 215 - Poverty | 3 |
| SOC 226 - Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 228 - The Sociology of Aging | 3 |
| SOC 240 - Race, Class and Gender | 3 |
| SOC 320 - Community Organization | 3 |
| SOC 413 - Societies of the Future | 3 |
| SOC 460 - Social Policy and Planning | 3 |
| SOC 480 - The Family | 3 |
| PSY 205 - Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 215 - Psychology of Gender | 3 |
| PSY 318 - Community Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 236 - Mental Health and Society | 3 |
| PSY 255 - Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 295 - Listening and Communication Skills | 3 |
| PSY 370 - Drugs, Society and Behavior | 3 |
| PSC 110 - Politics-Culture/Inven/Trad | 3 |
| PSC 203 - The Politics of Law | 3 |
| CMM 320 - Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| PSY 410 - Theory, Research and Practice in Counseling Psychology | 3 |
Law, Crime and Society
This concentration is for students interested in pursuing a career in the criminal justice system, social services and related fields, or for students interested in pursuing graduate work in criminology and related fields or who are planning on attending law school. Course work introduces students to criminological justice system. Courses explore how society defines and responds to crime as they also examine the relevance of social class, race, gender and age. As a result, students are well prepared to advance to graduate study, law school or other professions within the legal field.
| Sample Electives | Credits |
|
ANT 224 - Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights |
3 |
| ANT 312- Human Trafficking | 3 |
| SOC 170 - Deviance and Crime | 3 |
| SOC 226 - Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 333 - Sociology of Law | 3 |
| SOC 350 - Deviance | 3 |
| SOC 345 - Crime, Media and Culture | 3 |
| PSY 205 - Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 236 - Mental Health and Society | 3 |
| PSY 252 - Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 255 - Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 370 - Drugs, Society and Behavior | 3 |
| PSC 203 - The Politics of Law | 3 |
| PSC 210 - Constitutional Law | 3 |
| CMM 411 - Communication, Law and Regulation | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- The Social Sciences Perspective
Students will be able to:- describe the differences between perspectives in the social sciences as they are applied to social phenomena.
- Social Science Theory
​Students will be able to:- describe the role of theory in building knowledge.
- compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives.
- apply these theories to social conditions.
- The Nature of Evidence in the Social Sciences
Students will be able to:- identify the basic methodological approaches in building knowledge grounded in the social sciences.
- compare and contrast various research methodologies.
- design and complete a written research project.
- critically assess published research.
- Data analysis.
​Students will be able to:- understand the role of data analysis in building knowledge and testing theory.
- use computer software for statistical analysis.
- understand appropriate statistical techniques.
- draw valid conclusions from the data analysis.
- How cultural and social structures operate.
​Students will be able to:- describe different social institutions and their various influences on the individual.
- explain how the aforementioned institutions are interrelated.
- evaluate them using social science theory.
- The diversity of human societies.
​Students will be able to:- describe the significance of variation by race, class, gender, religion and age.
- explain patterns and variations using social science theory theory.
- justify policy recommendations to address social inequalities.
- Communicate effectively.
Students will be able to:- produce well written papers that clearly express knowledge grounded in the social sciences.
- clearly express such knowledge in verbal presentations.
- demonstrate critical thinking.
Honors Program
We offer qualified students the option of participating in our and graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member.
Transfer Credit
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ for the 2015-2016 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication April 30, 2015. *Addendum published January 29, 2016.
The ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.