Mar 19, 2024  
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Social Welfare Minor


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Offered by the Department of Social Work, Anthropology and Sociology
Professors Wooley
Associate Professors Sidell (chairperson), Madigan
Assistant Professors Keller, Mansfield, Molla, Purk


Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. Sociologists study the processes and patterns of individual and group interaction, the forms of organization of social groups, the relationships among them, and group influences on individual behavior. Focus is given to the understanding of group or other collective factors in human behavior.

Anthropology is the study of humankind. To incorporate all aspects of the human experience, anthropology has four major subdisciplines: Physical Anthropology, the study of the biological evolution of humans; Archaeology, the study of the evolution of culture; Linguistic Anthropology, the study of human languages; and Cultural Anthropology, the study of the variations and similarities of human behavior cross-culturally. The department offers introductory courses in all four subdisciplines but the major focus is in cultural anthropology.

The major in Sociology/Anthropology prepares students for a variety of careers in our increasingly multi-cultural society through critical thinking and evaluation, and appropriate research methods and analysis. The major is especially strong in social science research methods for which there is an ample job market. Students are encouraged to choose a concentration in either Sociology or Anthropology, but a broad based, liberal education in both and interdisciplinary studies outside the department is strongly recommended. The program is designed to allow students maximum flexibility to pursue their interests and career goals and combines easily with minors in other disciplines.

A bachelor’s degree prepares students for entry-level positions in marketing, political survey analysis, applied human relations in both the public and private sector, and research organizations. In addition, a concentration in Anthropology prepares students for employment in archaeology and the many organizations which hire anthropologists for applied human relations work with diverse cultures such as refugee and immigrant communities. The degree also prepares students for graduate work in either Sociology or Anthropology, and is an excellent background for advanced degrees in many other disciplines.

The department also offers the following minors: Anthropology, African-American Studies, Gerontology, Social Welfare and Sociology.

18 s.h.

Program Requirements


The Social Welfare minor prepares students majoring in business, criminal justice administration, computer sciences, psychology, biology, art, nursing, and others who intend to work in social welfare systems to understand those systems. The minor offers information on organizations, cultures, policies, and services as viewed from a sociological, anthropological and social work perspective.

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