Sociology and Social Work

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Professors M. Loyd-Paige, M. Mulder, T. Vanden Berg
Associate Professors K. Alford, J. Hill (chair), E. Marr, R. Venema (director of social work)
Assistant Professors S. Hoeksema, J. Kuilema

The department offers courses in sociology, social work, criminology, and anthropology. Sociology is the study of how culture, systems, and social institutions impact individuals based on the groups to which they belong. Social work is the study of the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for generalist social work practice. Criminology is the study of the context, theories, research, and practices necessary to understand deviance, crime, corrections, and justice. Anthropology is the study of the cultural values of peoples around the world and how these values become expressed in specific behavioral patterns. Sociology, criminology, and anthropology are sciences whose majors will earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Social work is a professional program whose majors will earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Minors are also available for Sociology and Social Work.

SOC 130 , SOC 151 , SOC 201 , SOC 202 , SOC 231 , SOC 250 /SOWK 250 , SOC 255 /SOWK 255 , SOC 301 ,  SOC 303 , SOWK 240 ,  SOWK 260 , and SOWK 360  satisfy requirements for the general university 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 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

• Criminology
• Social Work Major, BSW
• Sociology Major

• Social Work Minor
• Sociology Minor

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
• SOWK 372 - Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
• SOWK 373 - Generalist Practice with Groups and Families
• SOWK 380 - Social Work Field Education
• SOWK 381 - Social Work Capstone
• SOWK 383 - External Practicum
• SOWK 390 - Independent Study

• SOC 130 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• SOC 151 - Sociological Principles and Perspectives
• SOC 201 - Families
• 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 265 - Ethnography and Qualitative Methods
• 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 333 - Corrections and Incarceration
• SOC 351 - Sociological Theory
• SOC 355 - Social Research
• SOC 380 - Internship in Sociology
• SOC 383 - External Practicum
• SOC 390 - Independent Study
• SOC 395 - Sociology Integrative Seminar

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