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Carina Bandhauer, Chair (2020-2022) bandhauerc@wcsu.edu Warner Hall 207, Midtown campus (203) 837-8650 (203) 837-3960 (fax)
Christine Hegel-Cantarella, Associate Chair hegelcantarellac@wcsu.edu Warner Hall 217, Midtown campus (203) 837-3914 (203) 837-3960 (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, Chair C. Hegel-Cantarella, Assoc. Chair M. Misra R. Whittemore TBA
Economics R. Lumbantobing O. Owoye Z. Pan
Geography TBA
Political Science J. Schofield H.H. Williams TBA
Adjunct Faculty
Overview Social Sciences has 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. To this end, courses are offered in anthropology, economics, geography, political science, sociology and social sciences research methodology. The department awards the B.A. degree in four programs: 1) anthropology and sociology; 2) economics; 3) political science; and 4) interdisciplinary social sciences.
This curricular effort is supported by department computer and archaeology laboratories. The department’s role in the university-affiliated Jane Goodall Institute generates opportunities for students to become academically involved in the institute’s mission of environmental, conservation and primate studies. Additionally, the department has cooperative departmental cross-listing of some courses and exchange of faculty instruction with several university departments such as communication, art, education, environmental sciences, finance, history and non-western cultures, management (public administration), social work, and the Kathwari Honors Program.
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. The campus chapters also provide the opportunity for members to contribute their talent for the benefit of the university and general community. Obtain details from the department chairperson.
The department also sponsors the Social Sciences Journal, which publishes original research written by students. Students are invited to contribute their essays or research papers for review. Two student editors and one faculty choose and edit the best examples of student work for publication.
Mission The four social science programs at WCSU provide students with a holistic understanding and critical appreciation of the cultural, political, social, and economic elements of society. The department curriculum presents a broad-based foundation in the social sciences while offering a rich and diverse range of degree programs and options.
B.A.: ANTHROPOLOGY/SOCIOLOGY
The allied fields of anthropology and sociology focus on the study of social relations, transformations, and problems at local, national and global scales. Anthropology/Sociology majors cultivate critical insights and cross-cultural perspectives that are of growing importance in an interconnected world facing many human-made challenges. With rigorous training in human diversity, social change, and qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, the Anthropology/Sociology program provides excellent preparation for careers in social service and social justice work, education, public health, government, and business.
B.A.: ECONOMICS
The economics program provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the economic behavior of individuals, business and society. The focus is on social outcomes of economic transactions and activities, as well as on economic performance. In addition to economic efficiency, economics studies the issue of equity, analyzing various social issues from the economic perspective, including inequalities in economic opportunities and discrimination; it examines efforts to remedy those inequities through means of redistribution of income or wealth and their impact on the overall economy. Economics is taught as part of a liberal arts education at Western and provides an especially relevant background for careers in business, finance, international organizations or government, as well as for graduate study in economics, law or business.
B.A.: POLITICAL SCIENCE
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.
B.A.: SOCIAL SCIENCES
This interdisciplinary major provides students with both a broad-based foundation in the social sciences and with a variety of course choices, allowing a student to focus on a specific topic or theme, such as global studies, family studies, or multi-cultural studies. Further, the major also enables students to focus on social justice, sustainability research and policy, as well as secondary education.
The objectives of the major are to emphasize social research methodology and analytical skills; provide a personalized learning environment for students through faculty mentored undergraduate research opportunities and cooperative education research; prepare students for graduate education in the social sciences and allied fields; assist students in discerning appropriate careers through advising; foster the growth and development of faculty through research, attendance at professional meetings, developing and directing public forums and discipline-related training workshops, and publication and presentation of scholarly work; express its strong commitment to public service by collaborating with agencies and organizations, such as Jane Goodall Institute, Housatonic Valley Association, Connecticut State Archaeology Office and Institute for American Indian Studies, and with regional elementary, junior and senior high school educators to promote social sciences education.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of their studies, Social Science majors will demonstrate:
Degree Programs in Social Sciences
Degree and minor programs require a minimum GPA of 2.0. All department majors are required to earn at least a “C” (2.0) minimum grade in any foundation course (100 level or as specified and required in the student’s major program) and in the three required methods courses: SS 201, SS 300 and SS 400. Students should contact the department chair in order to sign up for their required research seminar, SS 400, one semester prior to registration.
An electronically submitted portfolio of work in the social sciences is required of all students during the final semester before graduation. Four elements of the portfolio include:
1) Two “Course of Study” statements.
2) A research paper (previously submitted in a major course).
3) A senior thesis (previously submitted in SS 400: Senior Research Thesis).
4) A professional résumé and sample cover letter.
Details of the below listed programs are presented on the next several pages.
Bachelor of Arts Anthropology/Sociology Economics Political Science Social Sciences: Students may keep it general with no specific option, or students may choose one of the below options. Options: -Family Studies -Global Studies -Multi-cultural Studies
Minor Programs Anthropology Conflict Resolution Cultural Resource Management Economics Geography International Studies Multi-cultural Studies (with elective African-American focus) Political Science Sociology Urban Studies Women’s Studies
Bachelor of Arts Anthropology/Sociology (B.A.)
Description: The allied fields of anthropology and sociology focus on the study of social relations, transformations, and problems at local, national and global scales. Anthropology/Sociology majors cultivate critical insights and cross-cultural perspectives that are of growing importance in an interconnected world facing many human-made challenges. With rigorous training in human diversity, social change, and qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, the Anthropology/Sociology program provides excellent preparation for careers in social service and social justice work, education, public health, government, and business.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2122/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
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.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Anthropology/Sociology Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Complete study of World Language at an elementary II level or above.
*Students who have completed three years of language in high school with at least a ‘C’ average have satisfied this requirement. Consult your advisor.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics (B.A.)
Description: The economics program provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the economic behavior of individuals, business and society. The focus is on social outcomes of economic transactions and events, as well as on economic performance. Economics is taught as part of a liberal arts education at Western and provides an especially relevant background for careers in business, finance, international organizations or government, as well as for graduate study in economics, law or business.
Required Courses in the Major: 39 Semester Hours.
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the breadth requirement. Where applicable, cognates are indicated in the list of courses required in the major.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Economics Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a C average in high school are not required to complete a foreign language requirement. However, for students in Economics, we strongly suggest that you consider exploring an additional foreign language or advancing your skills in the language studied in high school. Intercultural Competency is required.
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: 39 semester hours (SH).
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Political Science Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a C average in high school are not required to complete a foreign language requirement. However, for students in political science, we strongly suggest that you consider exploring an additional foreign language or advancing your skills in the language studied in high school. Intercultural Competency is required.
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (B.A.)
Description: The allied fields of anthropology and sociology offer ways of understanding the world that are fundamental to many courses of study. Anthropology and sociology look at everyday life in the context of groups, societies and cultures to which humankind contribute. The program is designed to provide background for business, government and social service careers, as well as for advanced graduate studies in a wide area of disciplines.
Required Courses in the Major: 48 SH
At least two courses must be ANT, ECO, GEO, PS, SOC, and/or SS courses, and these courses may not be cross listed with JLA. May include one course in NWC or SOC/JLA 201, 205, 334, or 336.
At least one course must be ANT, ECO, GEO, PS, SOC, and/or SS courses, and these courses may not be cross listed with JLA. May include one of the following: SOC/JLA 334 or 336.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Social Sciences Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a C average in high school are not required to complete a foreign language requirement. However, for students in social sciences, we strongly suggest that you consider exploring an additional foreign language or advancing your skills in the language studied in high school. Intercultural Competency is required.
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Minor Programs
Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Minor is Anthropology (18 SH)
Required Courses: 6 SH ANT 100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ANT 110 Introduction to Physical Anthropology
4 (four) Approved Anthropology Electives (all of which must be 200-level or above) 12 SH
Minor in Conflict Resolution (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: J. Schofield
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 adviser listed above. In addition to two required foundation courses, SS 401 and PS 401 or SS 402, your adviser will help you select four additional elective courses from the list below. The program adviser 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 adviser.
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 403 International Institutions 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 Cultural Diversity
Minor is Cultural Resource Management (18 SH)
Required Courses (18 SH) ANT 104 Intro to Archaeology ANT 213 North American Indians ANT 229 Archaeological Field Methods (ANT 100) ANT 341 Cultural Resource Management HIS 294 Introduction to Historical Research
Minor in Economics (18 SH)
Required Courses: 6 SH ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics ECO 213 Principles of Microeconomics
Four (4) Approved Economic Electives (all of which must be 200-level or above) 12 SH
Minor in Geography (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: C. Bandhauer
Eighteen semester hours, consisting of three required courses and three electives. Specialized knowledge in one world region or country is encouraged. Emphasizing the interaction between humans and geo-physical environments, this minor explores the fundamental importance of location, place, region and the inter-relationships between differing localities in order to master geographic skills and knowledge. Experience in spatial analysis skills includes data management, map reading, collation and presentation of geographical information, and related inferential thinking about human and geo-physical relationships. Spatial interactions, including trade, environmental management systems, as well as natural environmental conditions all contribute to a developing knowledge of world regions, countries, cities, and cultures. Finally, cultural differences, development prospects, and the importance of environmental management and conservation are also considered.
Required Courses (9 SH): GEO 100 Principles of World Geography GEO 215 Geographical Information Systems (offered every spring) GEO 270 Geography of Environment and Development (offered every spring)
Electives (9 SH): (at least two of which must be at the 200 level or above) GEO 290 Geopolitics in the Twenty-First Century GEO 250 USA and Canada: A Regional Study GEO 252 Latin America: A Regional Study GEO 253 Russia and Euro-Asia: A Regional Study ENV/GEO 150 Urban Environment as an Ecological Problem ES 103 Planet Earth AAS/GEO 251 Africa: A Regional Study HIS/AAS 219 African-American History and Culture (contemporary) NWC 103 Chinese Culture NWC 104 Japanese Culture NWC 105 Cultures of India NWC 107 Middle Eastern Culture NWC/AAS109 Equatorial African Cultures NWC 110 Vietnamese Culture NWC 112 Korean Culture NWC/AAS 113 Southern African Cultures NWC 115 Latin American and Caribbean Civilizations
Other electives with significant geographical components will be considered at the discretion of the faculty adviser.
Minor in International Studies: Interdisciplinary (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: R. Whittemore
Eighteen semester hours are required.
The object of the international studies minor is to encourage students to adopt a more expansive view of the world around them.
As a world power the United States continues to be more and more involved in the political, economic and cultural affairs of many countries. Our own security is dependent to an important degree on our relations with other countries, large and small. Many American jobs are dependent on overseas markets. Our well-being, therefore, depends on the understanding of foreign peoples, their histories and cultures. Giving our students some recognition in the form of an international studies minor may very well assist them in their career goals no matter what their majors happen to be.
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: R. Whittemore
In addition to the required course, SOC 200 Concepts of Race and Racism, courses may include those listed for the Multi-cultural Studies Option in Social Sciences as well as any course from any other discipline (100-400 level), provided (a) the student requests and receives approval from the Minor Faculty Adviser 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 (15 SH): 1. SOC 200 Concepts of Race and Racism 2. ANT/COM 208 Intercultural Communication OR ANT/SOC 322 Comparative Minority Relations OR ANT/SOC 340 Culture Change & Planning 3. ANT/SOC 350 Modern & Post Modern Societies OR PS/COM 310 Political Sociology OR SOC 202 Class, Status & Power 4. ANT/SOC 221 Human Family Systems OR SOC 225 Alt. to Traditional American Families OR SW 220 Social Work and Ethnic Lifestyles 5. Any AAS (200-level) OR AAS/ANT 212 Peoples and Cultures of Africa; ANT 213 North American Indians; ANT 214 Pacific; ANT 298 Faculty Developed Study
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)
Required Courses 6 SH PS 1XX PS 102 American Government
Four (4) approved Political Science Electives (must be 200-level of above)12 SH
Minor in Sociology (18 SH)
Required Courses (6 SH) SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology SOC 101 Social Problems
Four (4) approved Sociology Electives (all of which must be 200-level or above) 12 SH
Minor in Urban Studies (18 SH) Faculty Advisor: C. Banhauer
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.
ANT 350 Modern & Postmodern Societies 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 (WS) (18 SH) 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. Students should contact their faculty adviser for a list of recommended electives.
WS 200 Introduction to Women’s Studies WS/ANT 236 Culture, Sex and Gender WS/ANT 314 Native Peoples of the Southwest: Women, Spirituality and Power WS/COM 211 Women, Language and Communication WS/COM 444 Women and the Media in the U.S. WS/ECO 327 Economics of Gender WS/ENG 334 Women Writers WS/HIS 320 Women and Leadership WS/JLA 301 Women and Criminal Justice WS/NUR 250 Women’s Health Issues WS/PSY 217 Psychology of Women
Recommended cognate elective courses for Women’s Studies SOC 221 Human Family Systems SOC 305 Contemporary Family Problems SW 220 Cultural Diversity
