Mar 28, 2024  
Mansfield University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Sociology/Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts


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Offered by the Department of Applied Socio-Behavioral Studies
Professors Sidell, Ryan
Associate Professors Madigan, Mansfield (Chairperson), Purk
Assistant Professors Battin, Clark, Daly, Murphy


The major in sociology/anthropology offers a B.A. degree with three concentrations: Culture and Society, General Applied, Social Inequality.

Sociology and Anthropology are related social science disciplines that examine human behavior and diversity from social and cultural perspectives. The Sociology/ Anthropology program of Mansfield University is a combined degree that provides a strong base for students in the social sciences by working together to provide deeper explorations of the issues of the social world.  In general, the disciplines of sociology and anthropology describe the patterning, problems and prospects of human relationships. That is, we consider how and why people behave as they do, the implications of these patterns for other aspects of social life, and how new ways of living may be built and sustained. Our program embraces the richness of multicultural diversity by emphasizing a broad, yet in-depth understanding of culture and society. In addition, by promoting cultural relativism, it fosters comprehension of interdependencies of the global community. Our curriculum includes opportunities for students to both learn about and serve society through research and action that supports our focus on the applied and public realm of our combined disciplines.

Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior and social organizations. Sociologists examine the processes and patterns of interaction between individuals, groups, societies, and nations. They seek to explain how social forces influence individual behavior, the organization and behavior of social groups, and their interrelationships. Sociology focuses on empirical investigation of social facts, critical evaluation of information, and professional presentation of results. It also includes the development and advancement of sociological theory.

Anthropology is the study of humanity. To address all aspects of the human experience, anthropology has four major subdisciplines: Physical Anthropology, the biological study of humans and their origins; Archaeology, the study of material culture; Linguistic Anthropology, the study of languages; and Cultural Anthroplogy, the study of human beliefs and behaviors in different cultures. The department offers introductory courses in all four subdisciplines, ethnographic fieldwork, legal anthropology, medical anthropology, and various cultural regions.

Mission

The Sociology/Anthropology program at MU provides all students with high quality academic, applied and general foundations of learning and real world experience in and through the disciplines of sociology and anthropology.  Sociology/Anthropology majors will become students of our disciplines focused on human behavior and social change and professionals in social science occupations. It introduces general education students to academic skills utilized in the social sciences at the same time as it broadens their conceptual views.

We are committed to assisting students in learning to define, analyze, and understand human behavior. Therefore, we are dedicated to equipping all of our undergraduate students with a broad view of the social world that is consistent with the goals of a liberal arts education.  We prepare them to understand the structures and patterns upon which everyday social life rests.

The mission of the Sociology/ Anthropology program reflects the creed of Mansfield University by recognizing the importance of character, scholarship, culture and service. Our program embraces the richness of multicultural diversity by emphasizing a broad, yet in-depth understanding of culture and society. In addition, by promoting cultural relativism, it fosters comprehension of interdependencies of the global community. Our curriculum includes opportunities for students to both learn about and serve society through research and action.

Goals and Values

The following statements describe the values and expectations that guide the program of sociology and anthropology at Mansfield University. They are a foundation to the program’s goals and objectives and are in alignment with the Mansfield University Mission and Creed.

  1. We are committed to diversity and intellectual pluralism in our ways of teaching and our modes of scholarship (Culture, Character)
  2. Our primary objective is to teach sociological and anthropological ways of viewing  the world to majors and non-majors alike.  (Scholarship, Character)

    a. We are committed to teaching our discipline in-depth
    b. We teach the core concepts, methods, and traditions of Sociology and Anthropology (Scholarship)
    c. As a combined program, we are broad and diverse by nature and we present many different perspectives to our students (Culture, Character)
    d. We emphasize effective integration of critical thinking and analytical research skills which are problem-solving oriented and are applicable across disciplines. (Scholarship)
    e. We are public focused which leads to service to the community through our course work and an understanding of the human need, yet flexibly address larger questions surrounding the human experience. (Service, Character)
    f. We serve as mentors to our students through involvement in research, advising, and support of their work. (Scholarship)
  3. We prepare our majors for successful and productive lives.  These may include graduate education or employment in applied professional fields, such as public service, non-profit organizations, marketing, insurance, and human services; and for the working world. (Culture, Character)
  4. We are teachers and scholars

    a. Faculty have on-going scholarship and applied research that involve them in scholarly and applied research(Scholarship)
    b. We share with  our colleagues, both internally and externally  through conduction of research activities, publication  in scholarly journal,  and presentations at professional conferences (Service, Scholarship)

    c. We share our research with our students through class presentation, and by involving students in our research and presentation  (Service)
    d. We require students to complete their own research projects and support their publication and presentation of their work (Service, Scholarship)
    e. Members of our program are actively involved in activities on campus and in the community and professional activities off-campus that express and advance our programs mission. (Service)

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze perspectives on human behavior that are sociological.
  • Define the role of theory in sociology/anthropology.
  • Explain the role of social research methods in sociology/anthropology.
  • Interpret the role of data analysis in sociology/anthropology.
  • Define and illustrate key sociological/anthropology concepts.
  • Summarize basic knowledge, questions, and issues in substantive areas of sociology/anthropology.
  • Communicate effectively about sociology.
  • Judgment by graduates in the labor force that the sociology program prepared them well for their life and work responsibilities.

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. Majors are also employed by museums, national parks, and other public organizations which address the management and interpretation of cultural resources. When combined with appropriate field school experience, 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, Gerontology, Social Welfare and Sociology.

General Applied Concentration


•   Take 9 credits of Upper Division (3000 or 4000 level) courses from the ANH prefix

•  Take 9 credits of Upper Division (3000 or 4000 level) courses from the SOC prefix

A student may use 3 credits of ANH 4490 or SOC 4441 towards an Upper Division course

Total Credit Hours: 36


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