2001/2003 Undergraduate Catalog
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Shippensburg University > Catalog2001/2003 Undergraduate Catalog

College of Arts and Sciences
Sociology and Anthropology Department

Contents

Introduction

Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social life. The discipline studies the social causes and consequences of human behavior. In more practical language, sociology concerns itself with the institutional patterns of social life and social problems. By being aware of the social environment in which humans interact with each other, the study of sociology will develop an awareness of how social forces influence behavior and how humans, through their collective action, respond to social problems and social change.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology is a good choice if you are interested in working with people in counseling, social or public service, personnel, managerial, or administrative positions. Careers in sociology, law, counseling, and ministry are possible with graduate training. Our education degree leads to certification to teach in secondary schools. Most of our students participate in our intern program where you may choose from existing positions or create one specific to your interests.


Features

Majors have the opportunity to fashion their individual programs around special interests which build on a core curriculum. For example, concentrations in gerontology, culture and social change, human relations, family and marriage, social problems, and social institutions and organizations are possible.

Minors are offered in anthropology and sociology. For details about the requirements of these programs, contact the sociology and anthropology department.

Anthropology students will emphasize the holistic study of humankind from a cross-cultural perspective. An appreciation of human diversity leads to a greater awareness of the common concerns and interests of people in many different societies. Courses in anthropology provide an exposure to the major areas of cultural anthropology, human paleontology, and archaeology.
Career Opportunities

Because sociology is the scientific study of social relationships, it is ideal preparation for many professions an careers: law, business, education at all levels, government and all its related fields, personnel work, family and marriage counseling—any career in which human interaction is important. The gerontology special interest area provides an understanding of the elderly and their problems for those who wish to work in the rapidly growing field which supplies services to this population.

The anthropology minor combines well with almost any major. Students have found it to be valuable in preparation for careers in international business, counseling, government, and research. Cross-cultural interaction is increasingly common, both within our diverse American population and with people abroad. Anthropology is a field designed to make such human interaction easier and more successful.

Sociology (B.A.)

Sociology (36 crs.)


Required (21 crs.)
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology:
 Society and Diversity 3 crs.
SOC220 Social Stratification 3 crs.
SOC241 Contemporary Social Problems
SOC385 Introduction to Social Research 3 crs.
SOC386 Data Collection and Analysis 3 crs.
SOC415 Senior Seminar 3 crs.
SOC450 Classical Social Theory 3 crs.
Sociology Electives (15 crs.)

 This may include an internship in sociology, which is highly recommended.

Allied Fields

 Arts and sciences students concentrating in sociology must take the following courses in allied fields. All of these may be taken as general education.
ANT111 Cultural Anthropology 3 crs.
MAT170 Elementary Statistics for Social Sciences 4 crs.
Economics elective 3 crs.
Sequence in Government 6 crs.
Geography elective 3 crs.
Philosophy elective 3 crs.
PSY101 General Psychology 3 crs.

Note: All students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree are required to attain intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language. Intermediate proficiency may be satisfied by the completion of six credits of intermediate level course work in a foreign language, or four years of a foreign language in high school, or satisfactory completion of a proficiency examination.
Free Electives

 To be taken in appropriate fields with advisement. Free electives may be utilized to pursue various special interest areas in sociology (see below) or to develop the equivalent of a minor or a second concentration. Language or research tools may be alternative recommendations. Internships in sociology are highly recommended and may be taken for a total of 9 crs. of which 6 crs. can be applied to the major.

 Sociology courses may be grouped into special interest areas to give students more depth in a particular subfield of sociology. Courses taken as part of the general education and allied fields requirements may also reinforce particular interest groupings within sociology. Possible special interest areas and examples of supporting courses follow:

Anthropology
 Cultural Anthropology
 Physical Anthropology
 Comparative Cultures
 Introduction to Archaeology
 Anthropology for International Studies
 Comparative Gender Roles
 Archeology of North America
 Medical Anthropology
 North American Indians
 Peoples and Cultures of Europe
 Comparative Marriage and Family

Culture and Social Change
 Sociology of the Arts
 Sociology of Mass Communications
 Women’s Roles and Status
 Social Movements and Social Change
 
Family and Marriage
 Family and Society
 Population Problems
 Sociological Patterns of Courtship and Marriage
 Sociology of Death

Social Problems
 Contemporary Social Problems
 Criminology
 Juvenile Delinquency
 Population Problems

Gerontology
 Introduction to Social Gerontology
 Social Dynamics of Aging
 Methods and Social Research in Aging
 Sociology of Death
 Medical Sociology

Human Relations
 Minority Groups
 Race Relations
 Women’s Roles and Status

Social Institutions/Organizations
 Family and Society
 Elites in Society
 Social Stratification

 Students should refer to the sociology course listings in the catalog for other courses which may apply to their special interest areas.

Comprehensive Social Studies (B.S.Ed.)—Sociology Concentration

Sociology and Anthropology Minor--18 crs.

Educational Goals

 Students who successfully complete the sociology/social studies program will be certified to teach comprehensive social studies above the elementary level. The major emphasis will be upon sociology for those who wish to concentrate in this discipline. However, because of the diversity of the program, students will also be prepared to teach in the disciplines of economics, geography, political science, psychology, and history.
Features

 In addition to the professional education courses, students will have a basic exposure to the variety of social studies disciplines most often found in the public schools. Students will have courses in economics, geography, political science, psychology, and history. Further emphasis will be in various areas of sociology.
Career Opportunities

 This program is specifically designed for those who wish to teach in middle schools, junior high, or high school. Social studies is mandated at each of these levels.

 Because of the requirements of taking both professional education and social science courses, students will take some of the required discipline and professional courses listed below as part of their general education program. Close consultation with an advisor will determine which of the required skills and competencies, categories of knowledge, and elective courses in general education also meet the various social studies and professional requirements. Sociology (24 crs.)
Required Sociology Courses (15 crs.)
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology: Society and Diversity
SOC241 Contemporary Social Problems
SOC243 Minority Groups
SOC410 Family and Society
SOC450 Classical Social Theory
Elective Courses in Sociology (9 crs.)

 Students concentrating in sociology will select with advisement a minimum of three elective courses in sociology. Electives should be chosen in areas of specialization which either may serve a future teaching purpose or may establish a basis for future graduate study.

Required Courses in Allied Social Studies (39 crs.)
Economics (6 crs.)
ECN101 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECN102 Principles of Microeconomics
Economics Elective
Geography (6 crs.)
ESS111 Introduction to the Atmosphere
 or
ESS110 Introduction to Geology
GEO101 World Geography
 or
GEO103 Geography of U.S. and Canada
Geography Elective

Political Science (6 crs.)
PLS104 American Government: Constitutional and Political Foundations
PLS105 American Government: Institutions and Public Policies
Government Elective
History (12 crs.)
HIS105 World History I
HIS106 World History II
HIS202 Recent History of the United States
History Elective
Psychology (6 crs.)
PSY101 General Psychology
Psychology elective
Anthropology (3 crs.)
ANT111 Cultural Anthropology

Required Professional Education Courses (31 crs.)
TCH205 The American School 3 crs.
TCH310 Educational Psychology 3 crs.
EDU310 Teaching Social Studies I 3 crs.
EDU311 Teaching Social Studies II 4 crs.
EDU495 Student Teaching 15 crs.
EEC411 Introduction to Exceptionality 3 crs.
Required Field Experience (See advisor)
Anthropology Minor – 18 crs.
Core Courses (9 crs.)
ANT111 Cultural Anthropology
ANT121 Physical Anthropology
ANT150 Introduction to Archaeology
Elective Courses (9 crs.)
ANT211 Comparative Cultures
ANT220 Anthropology for International Studies
ANT312 Comparative Marriage and Family
ANT320 Comparative Gender Roles
ANT330 Archaeology of North America
ANT341 North American Indians
ANT350 Medical Anthropology
ANT351 Peoples and Cultures of Europe
ANT393 Selected Topics in Anthropology


Sociology Minor – 21 crs.


Required (9 crs.)

SOC101 Introduction to Sociology: Society and Diversity
SOC385 Introduction to Social Research
SOC450 Classical Social Theory

Electives (12 crs.)
Courses selected by advisement. Back Back to Contents
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