Department of Social Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Faculty

Full-time Faculty: S. Doherty - Chair, K, Hale, D. Meier, W. Wilson

Mission

The team of faculty and staff in the Social Sciences Department at Dickinson State University is a group of professionals trained to help students understand and appreciate many facets of the Social Sciences. Through retention of the body of knowledge imparted by the faculty in the social sciences at Dickinson State University, students will become familiar with the tools used to formulate economic and government policies. The heritage of world civilizations and the United States, the structure of government and political discourse, and other commonly encountered knowledge in the Social Sciences will guide students to analyze and evaluate possible solutions to problems. By familiarizing themselves with the materials and methodologies learned in the Social Sciences, students will gain a body of knowledge and the analytical and critical thinking tools necessary for successful careers in education, government, and the private sector. We will prepare students for graduate school and further professional development, and encourage them to actively participate in the social and political affairs of the United States and the world community; articulate social issues in a creative and informed manner, and to develop a lifelong interest in the social sciences.

Participation in Writing Across the Curriculum and Writing in the Disciplines

By completing the designated courses for Department of Social Science degree programs, students will have completed the requirements for the university’s writing program as described in the Academic Affairs section of the catalog for Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing in the Disciplines. See the Writing Across the Curriculum section of the catalog for the designated courses used to meet writing requirements for your program plan. Course descriptions will also identify courses that are part of the writing program.

Objectives

A course of study in the Social Sciences at Dickinson State University will help each student to know and appreciate the heritage of world civilizations and the United States. Students will critically analyze and evaluate possible solutions to problems; learn the materials and methodologies necessary for successful teaching, graduate study and professional development; prepare for a wide variety of careers in both the private and public sectors of the economy; actively participate in the social and political affairs of the United States and the world community; develop a lifelong interest in the social sciences; and communicate about social issues in a creative and informed manner.

Bachelor of Science in Education degrees require General Education, a major, a minor, Professional Education, and electives to equal a minimum of 120 semester hours.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in history requires a minor and twelve semester hours of study in one other social science areas (economics, geography, or political science). 

The Bachelor of Science in Education composite major in Social Science and the Bachelor of Arts composite major in Social Science do not require a minor.

Bachelor of Arts degrees require General Education, a major, a minor, a foreign language, and electives to equal a minimum of 120 semester hours. 

Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology requires General Education, a major, and a minor to equal a minimum of 120 semester hours.