Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Chair: Professor Day (History).

Professors Barone (History), Bawden (History), Gilbert (Psychology), Hultquist (History), Lowry (Sociology), Newell, (Social Work), Truss (History), Turner (Political Science);

Associate Professors Beal (Social Work), Bounds (Sociology), Caplow (Environmental Studies), Doerfler (Political Science), Eckelman (Political Science), Richardson (Psychology), Shepherd (Psychology), Tetloff (Social Work);

Assistant Professors Jubran (Psychology), Pinegar (Psychology), Shapley (Sociology); 

Clinical Instructor Matthews (Social Work).

Department Contact Information

Mission

The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences explores the human condition in all of its richness and complexity. While focusing on the development of the essential skills of critical analysis in the disciplines of anthropology, geography, history, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology, the department fosters a commitment and capacity for informed citizenship. As active citizens, students gain an understanding of diverse social perspectives and evaluate culturally-based values and beliefs. Finally, the department instills in its graduates the ability and desire to recognize and appreciate learning as a life-long process.

General Education

All students seeking an undergraduate degree at UM must complete a core General Education curriculum that includes courses in English, history, mathematics, the natural sciences, social sciences, fine arts, oral and written communication, and personal development.

The minimum requirements can be found in the General Education Credit Hour Requirements section of the Undergraduate Academic Policies   section in this Bulletin.

Several courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the UM General Education requirements: GEOG 231 ; HIST 101 /103 , 102 /104 ; POS 200 , 250 ; PSYC 201 , 202 ; SOC 101 /102 ; SWK 203 , 260 , and 322 . ES 200  fulfills the Personal Development requirement.

Students majoring in History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Social Work, or Sociology must complete two semesters of World Civilizations (HIST 101  and 102  or 103  and 104 ).

Majors

The department offers the bachelor’s degree (either the B.A. or the B.S.) in the following disciplines:

Environmental Studies
History
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology - General or Criminology
Social Work
Social Science

Internships

Faculty in Behavioral and Social Sciences encourage participation in internships. The environmental studies, history, political science, and sociology programs regularly offer internships, especially in the summer terms. Social Work majors complete a practicum as part of their course curriculum. Contact faculty in the pertinent programs for additional information.

Courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences

Note: 400-level courses may be cross-listed with 500-level (graduate) courses.

• Courses of Instruction    

Programs

Major(s)

• •  Environmental Studies, B.A.
• •  Environmental Studies, B.S.
• •  History, B.A.
• •  History, B.S.
• •  Political Science, B.A.
• •  Political Science, B.S.
• •  Psychology, B.A.
• •  Psychology, B.S.
• •  Social Science, B.A.
• •  Social Science, B.S.
• •  Social Work, B.A.
• •  Social Work, B.S.
• •  Sociology, Criminology, B.A.
• •  Sociology, Criminology, B.S.
• •  Sociology, General, B.A.
• •  Sociology, General, B.S.

Minor(s)

• •  Environmental Studies Minor
• •  History Minor
• •  Human Services Minor
• •  Peace and Justice Studies Minor
• •  Political Science Minor
• •  Pre-Law Minor
• •  Psychology Minor
• •  Sociology Minor