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Christine Hegel-Cantarella, Chair hegelcantarellac@wcsu.edu WA 204, Midtown campus (203) 837-3914 (203) 837-8905 (fax)
Patricia Lerner, Department Secretary lernerp@wcsu.edu Warner Hall 224, Midtown Campus (203) 837-8484 (203) 837-8905 (fax)
Faculty by major program focus:
Anthropology/Sociology
C. Bandhauer – Professor of Sociology C. Hegel-Cantarella – Professor of Anthropology M. Misra – Professor of Sociology R. Whittemore – Professor of Anthropology
Political Science J. Schofield H.H. Williams D. Delong – Adjunct V. Dumitrascu – Adjunct M. Santoro – Adjunct B. Tran – Adjunct
Adjunct Faculty by major program focus:
The Social Sciences have a special responsibility to prepare students for the ever-changing demands of contemporary society. The department provides disciplinary and methodological instruction and practice in the social sciences, including anthropology, geography, political science, and sociology.
The department awards the B.A. degree in 1) Political Science, and 2) Anthropology & Sociology (with the options in General Studies, Social Justice & Policy, or Global Studies);
The department sponsors a campus chapters of the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha and the International Honor Society in the Social Sciences, Pi Gamma Mu. Membership in these honors societies gives recognition to scholastic achievement, thereby enhancing employer and graduate admissions consideration, and provide the opportunity for members to contribute their talent for the benefit of the university and general community. Students are eligible to receive department awards and scholarships, and receive faculty guidance to apply for funding to study overseas through the Fulbright, Boren, and Macricostas programs.
Students have extra- and co-curricular opportunities for experiential learning through the department’s Connecticut Futures Lab, which facilitates community-engaged research and professionalization opportunities. Department faculty are campus leaders in a variety of social, political, and environmental justice initiatives, including the Undocumented student services via the UndocuAlly Task Force, the Racial Justice Coalition, and the Jane Goodall Institute. Students can apply to participate in the Oxford Human Rights program. In addition, the Social Sciences Club, the Roots and Shoots Club, and the Student Action Union are avenues for student-initiated projects, field trips, and social events.
Mission
The two programs in the Department of Social Sciences provide students with a holistic and critical understand of cultural, political, social, and economic facets of society. Our mission is to ensure that students graduate with foundational knowledge in their disciplines and the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and communication skills required for graduate school and/or for work in any number of fields.
The combined major in Anthropology and Sociology offers ways of understanding both everyday life and complex social issues from local, national and global perspectives. Students use socio-historical, cultural, political, economic and environmental lenses to recognize, research and generate useful comparative and historically grounded understandings of the world. Anthropology/ Sociology majors gain from the specializations of our purposefully composed faculty who have geographically specific expertise reaching around the globe. Immersed into both disciplines, students hone critical thinking skills, craft their research techniques, and cultivate holistic approaches to social problems and cultural data. The major is crafted to meet the demand for research, analysis, and socio-cultural insights in industry, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations both locally and internationally. The degree in Anthropology/Sociology prepares students for meaningful work within a variety of social service, social justice, education, public health, government, and business careers, as well as an array of graduate programs.
Options: Students majoring in Anthropology/Sociology choose from three options: Global Studies, Social Justice & Policy, or a General Studies option that combines both.
The Connecticut Futures Lab: All three options in the Anthropology/Sociology program include professionalizing opportunities in the Connecticut Futures Lab (CFL). The CFL, housed in the Department of Social Sciences, provides students unparalleled experiential learning through curricular initiatives, including independent research, research assistantships, and collaborative research with community partners. The CFL provides support for students to find and undertake internships and to participate in academic conferences. Extracurricular activities hosted by the CFL, such as alumni events, guest speakers and field trips, enrich students’ experiences, build networks and sustain our community.
*Distinction All students within the combined Anthropology/Sociology major wishing to get the most out of the major may pursue the B.A. with a distinction. This requires a minimum of four courses above and beyond the regular requirements for the student’s chosen degree option. These include: two additional courses within the Tier 1 ANT/SOC major electives, SS 300, both SS 400, and ANT/SOC 420 CFL: Internship, a 3.5 GPA within the major.
The distinction designation will appear on the student’s official transcript, and students will receive a distinction cord to wear with their academic regalia at commencement. Students graduating with Distinction will be invited to join the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in the Social Sciences. Please inquire about graduating with distinction with your advisor.
Learning Outcomes for Anthropology/Sociology and Political Science Majors
At the completion of their studies, majors in Anthropology/Sociology and Political Science will demonstrate:
DEGREE PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology/Sociology
Students choose one of the three options below: –General Studies –Global Studies –Social Justice and Policy
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
-Political Science
Minor Programs Anthropology Cultural Resource Management International Studies Multicultural Studies Multi-cultural Studies with elective African-American focus Political Science Sociology Urban Studies Women’s Studies
B.A. in ANTHROPOLOGY/SOCIOLOGY
Objectives: The Program in Anthropology/Sociology provides students the opportunity to develop cross-cultural expertise, hone critical thinking skills, craft their research techniques, and cultivate holistic approaches to social problems and phenomena. Course offerings and material taught evolve in response to new research in our fields, emerging social phenomena, and the changing world. The major is crafted to meet the demand for research, analysis, and socio-cultural insights in industry, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations both locally and internationally. The degree in Anthropology/Sociology prepares students for graduate programs and for meaningful work within a variety of social service, social justice, education, public health, government, and business careers.
Anthropology/Sociology B.A. With Distinction All students within the combined Anthropology/Sociology major, in any of the three options, may pursue the B.A. with distinction. This requires a minimum of four courses above and beyond the regular requirements for the student’s chosen degree option. These include: 1) two additional courses within the Tier 1 ANT/SOC major electives, 2) SS 300, 3) both SS 400, and ANT/SOC 420 CFL: Internship, a 4) 3.5 GPA within the major. The distinction designation will appear on the student’s official transcript, and students will receive a distinction cord to wear with their academic regalia at commencement. Please inquire about graduating with distinction with your advisor.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. The WCSU General Education curriculum invites students to encounter a broad range of topics and skills in the liberal arts and sciences. The system requires students to successfully complete a minimum of 40 semester hours split across eleven learning areas. Generally, students can satisfy the requirements for a given learning area with any course they choose within that area; some programs of study may require specific Major Designated General Education Courses; if so, they will be listed with the program requirements. Additionally, the Racial Justice and Global Diversity requirements may be completed with courses which are part of the program requirements. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link: https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Bachelor of Arts Anthropology/Sociology: General Studies (B.A.)
Description: This option allows flexibility in choosing electives in the major that will broaden a student’s global perspective and build expertise in social justice issues and policy-making.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, and electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 34 credits minimum, or with distinction 47 credits minimum
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Anthropology/Sociology: General Studies Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*COMP 101 may be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
** All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require students to study a language other than English to at least the elementary level II. Students who have completed three years of a language other than English in high school with an overall “C” average or completed a total of four years of two languages other than English in high school with an overall “B” average have met this requirement.
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Sociology: Global Studies option (B.A.)
Description: Students choose from electives in the major that focus on cultivating a global perspective, exploring both the interconnectedness of our world as well as social issues in nearly every geographic region of the globe including Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the United States. We also strongly recommend that students take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad through WCSU’s affiliation with the ISEP program (https://www.wcsu.edu/isep/).
Required Courses in the Major: 37 credits minimum, or with distinction 50 credits minimum.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Anthropology/Sociology – Global Studies Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Sociology: Social Justice and Policy option (B.A.)
Description: Students choose electives in the major that allow them to explore and grapple with inequities and injustices that exist in the world today. The option is interdisciplinary and focuses on building expertise on contemporary social justice issues and developing the skills to assess, craft, and implement effective policy
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Anthropology/Sociology – Social Justice and Policy option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (B.A.)
Description: Students of political science are given an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the political aspects of society. They are provided with a practical background for a variety of legal, government, public and social service careers, and a preparation for graduate studies in political science, as well as in related fields, such as pre-law.
Required Courses in the Major: 40 semester hours (SH).
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Political Science Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*COMP 101 and Gen Ed: Mathematical Reasoning may be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Minor Programs
Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Minor in Conflict Resolution
Faculty Advisor: C. Hegel-Cantarella or R. Whittemore
Six classes (eighteen credit hours) are required. At least 3 courses (9 credit hours) must be taken at WCSU. No more than 3 courses (9 credit hours) may overlap with another major or minor.
Required Courses: 6 SH ANT 100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ANT 110 Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Approved Anthropology Electives (all of which must be 200-level or above) 12 SH
Minor in Conflict Resolution Faculty Advisor: J. Schofield
Six classes (eighteen credit hours) are required. At least 3 courses (9 credit hours) must be taken at WCSU. No more than 3 courses (9 credit hours) may overlap with another major or minor
To successfully negotiate today’s stressful and competitive environment, people require highly refined communication and conflict resolution skills. This minor program in conflict management allows students to learn about, practice and further develop some key fundamental behaviors designed to establish powerful rapport with others, and to manage conflict creatively and constructively when it occurs. In addition, the knowledge and insights gained in the basic core courses heighten intellectual pursuits in many other disciplines, such as political science, sociology, economics, history, psychology, communication, theater arts, social work, criminal justice and law, and management.
To enroll in this minor program, contact the program advisor listed above. In addition to two required foundation courses, SS 401 and PS 401 or SS 402, your advisor will help you select four additional elective courses from the list below. The program advisor may approve other elective courses if content is deemed relevant to the program. No more than six credit hours should be selected from any one discipline or from the student’s major. The conflict resolution minor program sheet/guide is available from the program advisor.
Required Courses (6 SH): SS 401 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution AND SS 402 Mediation: Theory & Practice OR PS 401 Global Conflict Resolution
Four (4) Approved Electives (12 SH): ANT/COM 208 Intercultural Communication ANT/SOC 322 Comparative Minority Relations ECO 308 Labor Economics ECO 321 Urban Economics PS 200 International Relations PS 290 Geopolitics in the 20th Century PS 402 Violent & Nonviolent Conflict Resolution PS 303 Building Peace & Security SOC 101 Social Problems SOC 200 Concepts of Race & Ethnic Relations SOC 202 Class, Status & Power SOC 210 Urban Society SS 299 Student Developed Study Electives offered by other departments: COM 210 Nonverbal Communication COM 212 Effective Listening COM 362 Organizational Communication COM 408 Strategies of Persuasion HIS 256 Background to the Civil War HIS 382 Contemporary Middle East JLA 426 Conflict Resolution & Management MGT 350 Management Negotiations MGT 376 Managing People PSY 205 Social Psychology SW 220 Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Minor in Cultural Resource Management
Faculty Advisor: C. Hegel-Cantarella
Required Courses (18 SH) ANT 104 Intro to Archaeology (3 SH) 200-400 level archaeology course/s and/or HIS 294: Introduction to Historical Research (3-6 SH) ANT 229 Archaeological Field Methods (3-6 SH) ANT 341 Cultural Resource Management (3 SH) Ant 297 Cooperative Education: or: Ant 420 Connecticut Futures Lab: Internship (with a CRM firm, museum, historical society, or related organization) (3-4 SH)
Minor in International Studies: Interdisciplinary (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: J. Schofield or R. Whittemore
The object of the international studies minor is to encourage students to adopt a more expansive view of the world around them through the study of comparative politics and world governments; social, cultural, and linguistic diversity; global history; geography; and the global economy.
To fulfill the requirements of the international studies minor the student must:
Minor in Multi-cultural Studies (with elective African-American Focus) (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: C. Bandhauer
In addition to the required course, SOC 200 Concepts of Race and Racism, courses may include those listed for the Multi-cultural Studies Courses may be in any other discipline (100-400 level), provided (a) the student requests and receives approval from the Minor Faculty Advisor and (b) the university catalog course descriptions of those alternative courses indicate substantial ethnic, minority and cultural diversity subject coverage.
Required Course (3 SH): SOC 200 Concepts of Race and Racism
Multicultural Studies Option: Must choose 1 course from each of the following categories (12 SH): 1. ANT/COM 208 Intercultural Communication OR ANT/SOC 322 Comparative Minority Relations OR ANT/SOC 340 Culture Change & Planning 2. PS/COM 310 Political Sociology 3. ANT/SOC 221 Human Family Systems OR SOC 225 Alt. to Traditional American Families OR SW 220 Diversity Equity & Inclusion 4. Any AAS (200-level) OR AAS/ANT 212 Peoples and Cultures of Africa; ANT 213 North American Indians
Additional Multicultural Studies Option: Must choose 1 course from the following (3 SH): SOC 211 Latinos/as/x in United States ANT/SOC/AAS 212 Peoples & Cultures of Africa ANT/SOC 216 Anthropology of the Middle East ANT/WS 236 Culture, Sex and Gender SOC 301 Globalization and Migration ANT/WS 321 Gender & Globalization ANT/SOC/WS 352 Women & Gender in the Middle East
African American focus: Requires at least 12 SH in African-American studies (AAS) courses.
If at least 12 semester hours are in African-American studies (AAS) courses (100-400 level), the student’s transcript shall read: minor in multi-cultural studies: African-American focus.
Minor in Political Science 18 SH
Faculty Advisor: H. Williams or J. Schofield
Required Courses 6 SH PS 102 American Government PS 104 World Governments
4 (four) Approved Political Science Electives (must be 200-level of above) 12 SH
Minor in Sociology 18 SH Faculty Advisor: C. Bandhauer or M. Misra
Required Courses (6 SH) SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 120 (CT, W2) SOC 101 Social Problems
4 (four) Approved Sociology Electives (all of which must be 200-level or above) 12 SH
In total, six classes (eighteen credit hours) are required. At least 3 courses (9 credit hours) must be taken at WCSU. No more than 3 courses (9 credit hours) may overlap with another major or minor
Minor in Urban Studies Faculty Advisor: C. Bandhauer or C. Hegel-Cantarella
The urban studies minor is an interdisciplinary program focusing on urban issues, concepts, and problems. The minor affords students the opportunity to explore urban concerns through a variety of disciplinary lenses and the chance to examine practical solutions to urban problems. The minor also prepares students for increased employment possibilities at the municipal, state, or federal level, or for graduate work in one of several areas related to urban studies (e.g., urban studies, urban, town, or regional planning, urban geography, demography, etc.).
Students select 18 semester hours from the courses listed below; no more than nine hours should be from 100-level courses and no more than six hours should be selected from any one discipline or from the student’s major. Students are strongly encouraged to apply 3-6 semester hours earned in an approved cooperative education internship to this program.
ART 101 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Renaissance to the Present ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 107 Contemporary Domestic Economic Issues ECO 321 Urban Economics GEO/ENV 150 Urban Environment as a Human Ecological Problem HIS 201 Immigrant NYC HIS 208 Rise of Industrialism in America HIS 363 The American City HIS 368 New York City: History and Culture HIS X99 Student Independent Study PS 218 American State & Local Government SS/CED 297 Coop Internship SOC 101 Social Problems SOC 210 Urban Sociology
Any appropriate substitute course must have prior department approval.
Minor in Women’s Studies Faculty Advisor: C. Hegel-Cantarella
The women’s studies minor is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental program that provide the opportunity for students to increase their awareness and knowledge about women’s achievements and contributions to society, and about social concerns and issues that are of particular importance to women and to all minority groups.
The 18 credits in the minor shall consist of electives with a WS label or courses with a discipline label which are identified as relevant by a committee drawn from participating departments.
Required: WS 200 Introduction to Women’s Studies (3 SH)
Choose from among the following WS electives (15 SH): See cross-listed entry in Course Catalog for course descriptions of the following:
WS/COM 211 Women, Language and Communication
WS/PSY 217 Psychology of Women
WS/PHI 260 Philosophy of Women and Gender
WS/JLA 301 Women and Criminal Justice
WS/HIS 319 Women in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
WS/ANT 321Gender and Globalization
WS/ECO 327 Economics of Gender
WS/ENG 334 Women Writers
WS 339/PHI 339 Women in the History of Philosophy
WS/PS 340 Gender, Justice, and the State
WS/ANT 342 Women, Work, and Power
WS/ANT 352 Women and Gender in the Middle East
WS/PS 405 Women in Global Politics
WS/COM 444 Women and the Media in the U.S.
The following courses also have been approved and are offered periodically: WS/ECO 327 Economics of Gender WS/NUR 250 Women’s Health Issues WS/HIS 320 Women and Leadership
Recommended cognate elective courses for Women’s Studies SOC 221 Human Family Systems SOC 305 Contemporary Family Problems SW 220 Diversity Equity & Inclusion
