Division of Behavioral & Social Sciences

The Division of Behavioral & Social Sciences provides a curriculum designed to examine those social aspects of human culture that relate to the individual, the group, and organization in the environment. The behavioral/social sciences, collectively, provide programs to prepare students for:

  1. early childhood, elementary, secondary, special and physical education teaching;
  2. the study of human spatial variation in relationship to the physical environment;
  3. the examination of the past record of human social life and its relationship to change, and continuity;
  4. the study of national and international political cultures and institutions;
  5. the examination of individual mind processes and theories of human behavior;
  6. the study of groups, social institutions, culture and bureaucracies;
  7. sports and fitness activities emphasizing healthy lifestyles, wellness and physical fitness; and
  8. human development courses designed to improve learning strategies and increase the likelihood of student success.

 

Education

The Department of Education introduces aspiring teachers to the best practices to facilitate teacher leadership. The two-year program is designed to help students gain acceptance into the teacher preparation programs at four-year institutions. The college/freshman experience component forms the springboard for the continual processes of personal, intellectual, and academic development and exists to help students discover their innate ability to learn. Further, the physical education, health and recreation component adheres to fundamental and applied concepts of scientific study in the historical, social, psychological, environmental, experiential, and physical way of thinking and learning by offering educational, sports, and fitness activity classes with the emphasis on "wellness and fitness for life." The department curriculum is designed to meet academic, professional, physical, social and emotional needs of students.

This department includes all Pre-teacher Education Programs, including Early Childhood, and the College Experience and the Freshman Experience.

 

 

History, Geography, and Political Science

The Department of History, Geography and Political Science introduces the student to the social sciences and to the methodology employed in the disciplines. More specifically, the department examines: 1) through its history classes, the past record of human existence; 2) through its geography classes, the study of humankind's relationship to its physical environment; and 3) through its political science classes, the study of political processes, institutions, and cultures.

 

General Studies

This program of study serves as a foundation for those students who need a broad, general liberal education, with the ultimate goal of transfer to another higher education institution. 

 

Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the exploration of human movement and physical activity, including understanding how our bodies function during various motions and tasks. Through studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics, kinesiology aims to enhance sports performance, prevent injuries, and promote well-being through exercise.

 

Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work

The Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work has created programs of study designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree. The degrees of study within the department include the Associate of Science degree in Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, and Social Work. The foundation of the curricula is General Education, with courses that emphasize skill development in areas such as research, human behavior, social problems, and service learning. The faculty continuously seeks ways to combine classroom knowledge with technology and hands-on experience which, in the long run, only produce knowledgeable students.

 

Public Health and Community