Department of Social Sciences

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www.umes.edu/SAPS

Dr.  Joyce Bell, Interim Chairperson

Mission

The mission of the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Historically Black University, is to educate undergraduate and graduate students for the purpose of developing ethical leaders and global citizens who are informed about social phenomena. Our programs provide a learning environment that emphasizes awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity, critical thinking skills, and the development and application of research competencies.

Objectives

The objectives of the Department of Social Sciences are to:

1. Encourage students to analyze the operation of their own and other societies.
2. Provide students with the scientific tools and cognitive skills to analyze societies.
3. Establish a forum within which students can learn to examine and evaluate, for themselves, the major social problems confronting their own and other societies.
4. Provide students with educational opportunities that will enable them to achieve their educational and career goals.

Goals

The goals of the Department of Social Sciences are:

• To stimulate in students the desire to analyze social problems of their own and other societies.
• To provide students with the scientific and imaginative skills by which such an analysis can be made
• To establish a forum within which students can learn to evaluate and examine for themselves the major dilemmas confronting their own and other societies
• To make opportunities available to students which will enable them to realize their career goals.

Outcomes

The specific objectives of the Department of Social Sciences are to develop in each student:

• An understanding of the principles that influence human societies,
• The ability to think clearly, independently, and critically;
• The ability to do social research
• The foundations necessary for life-long learning and for careers in the service professions.

General Program Requirements

The admission of students to the undergraduate programs in the Department of Social Sciences is based upon the general admission requirements of the University.

Departmental Requirements

History – The major must complete 120 semester hours of University courses. Included in the120 semester hours are a minimum of 36 hours of courses in history. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in these courses. The student must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and 2.5 in the history courses.

Social Studies Education – The major must complete 129 semester hours of University courses. Included in the 129 semester hours are a minimum of 34 hours of courses in professional development courses, 42 hours in social studies specialization courses, and 12 hours in the Teaching Internship. Students must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program which requires an overall grade point average of 2.75 and a passing score of the PRAXIS I test as set by the State of Maryland.

Sociology – The major must complete 120 semester hours of University courses. Included in the120 semester hours are a minimum of 21 hours of required sociology courses and 15 hours of sociology electives. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in these courses. The student must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and 2.5 in the sociology courses.

Sociology/Social Work – UMES (Sociology) and Salisbury University (Social Work) have established a Dual-Degree program through which students at UMES can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (B.A.S.W.) from SU and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UMES. The program can be completed in 120 semester hours and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education through Salisbury University. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in all required Sociology (UMES) and Social Work (SU) courses. The student must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.7 social work GPA. Included in the social work GPA is SOWK 200, SOWK 300, SOWK 302, MATH 102, PSYC 100, SOCI 101, SOCI 222, SOCI 223 and SOCI 303.

Career Opportunities

A degree in the fields of the social sciences prepares students to teach, to conduct social research, to go on to graduate programs and professional schools (such as law, social work, policy, and public administration), and to work in government, public policy, business, the non-profit sector and other areas where a strong background in the social sciences is needed.

Directory of Faculty

Barrett-Gaines, Katherine, Associate Professor

B.A., Fordham University; M.A., University of Maryland Baltimore County; M.A., Duke University; M.A., Stanford University; Ph.D., Stanford University

Baughman, T.H., Professor

B.A., Stetson University; M.A., The Ohio State University; Ph.D., Florida State University

Bell, Joyce, Associate Professor; Coordinator of the Dual Degree Program

B.A.S.W., Salisbury University; M.S.W. University of Maryland Baltimore; Ph.D., Catholic University of America

Brocato, Billy Ray, Assistant Professor

B.S., Eastern New Mexico University, M.A., Sam Houston State University, Ph.D., Texas A & M University

Meeker, James K., Assistant Professor

B.A., Cleveland State University, M.A., Cleveland State University, Ph.D., Kent State University

Programs

• History, B.A.
• Sociology - Social Studies Teacher Education, B.A.
• Sociology, B.A.
• Sociology/Social Work, B.A.

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