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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

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.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

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.