Description of Programs
The Department of Social Sciences offers major programs in:
Minor programs are offered in:
The History major provides a detailed study of world civilizations with an emphasis on issues impacting our contemporary world. Students will develop the critical skills needed to assess both primary and secondary research sources. Majors will master research skills needed to develop an historical argument and thesis. Students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 and must maintain a GPA of 2.7 in all 300/400 level History courses.
The specific objectives of the major program in Sociology are to develop in each student an understanding of the principles which influence the operation of human societies. The student will develop the ability to think clearly, independently, and critically about the society around them and other societies. A goal of the program is to give students the ability to conduct social research and to be critical consumers of others’ research. This major is intended to provide a foundation for graduate training, the skills for professional schools, and for employment in service professions. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 along with 2.5 in all sociology major courses. Also two semesters of foreign language required.
The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies Teacher Education. This program is to prepare future secondary teachers with necessary content materials and research methodology to each in various fields of Social Sciences. A student will be acquainted with pedagogical techniques appropriate for creative and functional classroom teaching.
The Dual Degree Sociology/Social Work Program’s objectives are to prepare graduates for entry-level professional social work licensure, employment, and graduate education. UMES students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from Salisbury University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from UMES. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 with 2.7 in all SOWK courses (includes BIOL 101, PSYC 200, and SOCI 101).
The minor program in History is structured to expose students preparing for law school to critical thinking, data appraisal and analysis. The minor in History consists of eighteen credits selected from 300 and 400 level courses approved by an advisor in History.
The minor in Political Science consists of eighteen credit hours selected for 300 and 400 level courses in Political Science approved by an advisor.
A minor program in Public Policy is designed to meet the following objectives: to promote informed understanding of contemporary public affairs; to explore analytical and conceptual tools necessary to understand political events, institutions, behavior, and to provide preparation for law school, graduate school, and government service. The program consists of eighteen credit hours in specific courses approved by a faculty advisor.
