Sociology and Social Work

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Professors C. Kreykes Brandsen, M. Loyd-Paige, M. Mulder (chair, spring), T. Vanden Berg (chair, fall), K. Ver Beek
Associate Professors K. Alford, J. Hill, E. Marr, R. Venema (director of social work)
Assistant Professors J. Kuilema, R. Williams

The department offers courses in sociology, social work, and anthropology. Sociology is the study of the principles of group relationships, social institutions, and the influence of groups on individuals. Urban, cross-cultural, criminology, and/or family studies are some possible groupings within sociology that majors might want to pursue. Social work is a professional program, the study of the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for generalist social work practice. Anthropology is the study of the cultural values of peoples around the world and how these values become expressed in specific behavioral patterns. Programs in the department lead to a departmental major in sociology, a minor in sociology, a major in social work leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, and a minor in social work.

SOC 151 , SOC 130 , SOC 303 , SOC 255 , SOC 395  and SOWK 250 , SOWK 255 , SOWK 260 , and SOWK 381  satisfy requirements for the general college core as well as for major or minor programs of study in sociology and social work.

Students who spend a semester at the Chicago Semester or in Washington, DC, may apply some of that work to a departmental major or minor.

For admission to the major program, a student must complete SOC 151  with a minimum grade of C (2.0).

Sociology Honors

Students wishing to graduate with honors in sociology must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and must complete at least six honors courses (18 semester hours minimum). Three of these courses must be in sociology and three must be from outside of the major. Students must complete an honors thesis in sociology 395, including a public presentation of results whenever appropriate. Honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia when appropriate. Students must also achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in their major. The advisor for the sociology honors program is T. Vanden Berg.

Sociology Internships

Sociology majors who have demonstrated ability in their sociology courses are invited to apply for an internship placement during their senior year. SOC 380  offers a three-semester-hour credit experience in a professional setting delivering applied sociology or research services. Professional settings include agencies in the fields of criminal justice, cross-cultural development, family service, gerontology, mental health, and urban planning. Internships can provide important background for later employment and graduate school. Interested students should contact M. Mulder.

Programs

• Social Work Major, BSW
• Sociology Major

• Social Work Minor
• Sociology Minor
• Sociology Minor: Secondary Education

Courses

• SOWK 240 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
• SOWK 250 - Diversity and Inequality in the United States
• SOWK 255 - Social Science Statistics
• SOWK 260 - Global Issues and Perspectives
• SOWK 350 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• SOWK 355 - Social Research
• SOWK 360 - Social Welfare Policy Analysis
• SOWK 370 - The Helping Interview
• SOWK 371 - Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
• SOWK 372 - Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
• SOWK 380 - Social Work Field Education
• SOWK 381 - Social Work Capstone Seminar
• SOWK 390 - Independent Study

• SOC 130 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• SOC 151 - Sociological Principles and Perspectives
• SOC 201 - The Family
• SOC 202 - Urban Sociology
• SOC 203 - Sociology of Deviance
• SOC 231 - Intercultural Communication
• SOC 250 - Diversity and Inequality in the United States
• SOC 255 - Social Science Statistics
• SOC 301 - Gender and Sexuality in the United States
• SOC 302 - Sociology of Sport
• SOC 303 - Criminology
• SOC 304 - Religion and Society
• SOC 305 - Special Topics
• SOC 330 - Anthropology of Religion
• SOC 351 - Sociological Theory
• SOC 355 - Social Research
• SOC 380 - Internship in Sociology
• SOC 390 - Independent Study
• SOC 391 - Ethnography
• SOC 395 - Sociology Integrative Seminar

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