Southwestern Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
GENERAL INFORMATION In support of its goals, the Department of Social Sciences provides for substantial contributions to the general education program at SWOSU as well as sponsoring selected major and minor programs. Courses and programs include Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, Gerontology, History, History Education, Political Science, Pre-Law, and Sociology. Our courses are designed to examine the ways in which human beings have related to each other and to their environment over time and to do so from a variety of academic perspectives. Our programs are aimed at giving students a broad understanding of the human social condition and providing them with an education that will serve as a firm foundation for many careers in business, social and justice services, government service, or education. Criminal Justice, History, History Education, Political Science and Pre-Law provide solid foundations for a wide range of professional positions. Practical field experience is highly valued in our degree programs. We have internships available for Criminal Justice and Political Science students. Student teacher placements are required of History Education Students. These placements give students a chance to explore the real world of their proposed careers and the opportunity to develop their skills in actual work settings from schools, to prisons, to social and justice service agencies. Most faculty members have doctoral degrees and are actively involved in professional research, assuring students that their instructors are on the cutting edge of their fields and that their classes are in tune with the latest developments. Our faculty are not only scholars; they pride themselves in being fine teachers. Our students report that many of our courses are the best and most enjoyable that they have ever taken. Faculty members are notable for taking a personal interest in their students and developing relationships that go beyond the classroom to develop into life- long friendships and professional ties. Beyond our formal program of education, our students enjoy learning and socializing in student-led clubs devoted to criminal justice, history, and political science. We also support a chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the international History Honor Society, and participate in the Model United Nations. Criminal justice and political science sponsor special speaker programs where outside specialists with national and international reputations discuss topics of relevance with our students.
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice 1. Graduates of the criminal justice program will be able to demonstrate understanding of the criminal justice system and its complexities. 2. Graduates of the criminal justice program will be able to demonstrate competency in writing confident with the needs of criminal justice professionals. 3. Graduates of the criminal justice program will be able to articulate and effectively communicate their ideas about crime and justice. 4. Graduates of the criminal justice program will be able to carry out undergraduate criminal justice research as evidenced by presentations in classes, university sponsored academic meetings and state and regional academic conferences. Bachelor of Arts - History 1. Students will be able to explain significant historiographical debates in the fields of American, World, and Oklahoma history. 2. Students will be able to find and research both primary and secondary sources, further developing their reading comprehension skills. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to research and write using scholarly sources in order to facilitate graduate work or to work in the private sector. Bachelor of Arts in Education – History Education 1. Students will be able to explain through a variety of delivery methods significant persons, events, institutions, ideas, and trends in the fields of American, World, and Oklahoma history. 2. Students will be able to explain significant historiographical debates in the fields of American, World, and Oklahoma history. 3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of historical methods including the proper use and interpretation of sources. 4. Students will be able to explain through a variety of delivery methods material in the fields of American, World, and Oklahoma history in accordance with the 15 Oklahoma General Competencies for Teacher Licensure and Certification. 5. Students will be able to explain through a variety of delivery methods material in American and World history in accordance with the recommended standards for history and the recommended standards for historical thinking. Bachelor of Arts – Political Science 1. Students will be able to identify and explain basic structures of politics in the subfields of American Government, international relations, political theory, and constitutional law. 2. Students will be able to appraise political arguments in light of theories of governance and the policy process. 3. Students will be able to design research projects and conduct writing and other communications in the discipline. 4. Students will be able to criticize sources of evidence including peer-review, internet, and media sources for bias, veracity, authority, and purpose.
For more information, visit our website: https://www.swosu.edu/academics/academic-departments/social- sciences/index.php
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