Sociology and social work
Bob Birkey, Director of Social Work Program, Professor of Social WorkCarol Jarvis, Adjunct Professor of Social Work
Jeanne Liechty, Department Chair, Professor of Social Work
David Lind, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Senegal SST Leader MA
Tom Meyers, Professor of Sociology
Zulma Prieto, Adjunct Professor of Sociology
Introduction
The sociology, social work and anthropology department offers two majors and two minors:
Visit the social work Web site at www.goshen.edu/sowk and the sociology/anthropology Web site at www.goshen.edu/soan.
Career and postgraduate opportunities
The sociology major and minor provide a knowledge base and skills in social analysis with a variety of practical applications. The social policy minor is a collaborative cross-disciplinary program for students who want to work for social change within the public sector or nonprofit organizations. In this minor, students will develop understanding of policy making processes, community organizing and social advocacy in relation to their specific area of academic interest as well as some of the specific skills necessary for this work.
Past graduates in sociology have entered positions in high school teaching, foreign and domestic community development and professional and voluntary social services (not requiring professional social work training) with such agencies as Church World Service, Mennonite Central Committee and Peace Corps. The majority of graduates have gone on to attend graduate school or seminary and are presently employed in the Christian ministry, college teaching, community development, law and business, personnel management, public administration, public policy and program evaluation, research, social services, urban planning.
Social work professional program
The purpose of social work is the restoration and enhancement of social functioning through intervention with individuals, families, groups, larger social systems and social welfare policies and programs. The social work program is a four-year generalist program leading to the bachelor of arts degree with a major in social work. Generalist social work practice requires a person-situation approach to problem solving, and the generalist perspective of the Goshen College social work education program provides a broad conceptual framework. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has, as its primary objective, the preparation of students for professional social work practice. Students are also prepared for graduate social work education and receive advanced standing in many graduate social work programs.
The social work curriculum is built upon a liberal arts perspective. By its focus on the humanities, physical and social sciences and international experience, this foundation assists students in thinking broadly about individuals, families and groups and the social systems in which they function. Liberal arts education at Goshen College is seen as a moral activity that places a high value on persons and social justice.
Admission to the social work professional program
Social work is a professional program that requires an admission process separate from admission to the college. Students apply for admission to the social work education program following successful completion of Introduction to Social Work, SoWk 224, taken in the sophomore year. Written applications are accepted after Jan. 1 of each school year. Students transferring into the major in the junior year should apply immediately upon college admission. Admission criteria include academic and personal qualifications with a value orientation necessary for the professional practice of social work. The admission process is directed toward furthering students’ personal growth as they explore vocational interests and abilities. Specific information about criteria and process is found in the Social Work Student Handbook. This may be obtained from the director of social work education.
Social studies education
Teacher certification in social studies education is available for grades 5-12. Required are 54 credits in social science, with at least 12 credits each in three areas chosen from economics, historical perspectives, geographical perspectives, government, psychology, or sociology. Other requirements of a Goshen College major in history, psychology or sociology must be met as well. In addition, 30 credits of education courses are required, including a fall semester of student teaching. PJCS 210 is required for general education. The first education class, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first year or fall of the sophomore year. See the education department pages and the Teacher Education Handbook for more details about requirements.
Major in sociology
40 credit hours
Core courses (19 credit hours):
- Soc 200, Principles of Sociology 3
- Soc 310, Social Theory 3
- Soc 334, Race, Class and Ethnic Relations 3
- Soc 391-392, Methods of Social Research 6
- Soc 409, Field Experience in Sociology/Anthropology 3
- Soc 410, Senior Seminar1
Elective and related courses (21 credit hours):
- Elective courses in sociology, at least 6 credit hours upper level (300 and above) 12
- Econ 203, Principles of Microeconomics 3
- Any history course 3
- Any political science course 3
Planning guide
| First year | General education Principles of Sociology Lower level sociology electives |
| Second year | Courses in disciplines related to Sociology |
| Third year | Methods of Social Research sequence |
| Fourth year | Senior Seminar |
Major in social work
53 credit hours
- Psyc 306, Abnormal Psychology 3
- Soc 200, Principles of Sociology 3
- Soc 210, Sociology of the Family 3
- Soc 334, Race, Class and Ethnic Relations 3
- Soc 391, Methods of Social Research 3
- SoWk 221, Human Behavior 3
- SoWk 224, Introduction to Social Work 3
- SoWk 321, Social Service Field Experience 3
- SoWk 322, Social Welfare Policy and Program I 4
- SoWk 323, Social Welfare Policy and Program II 3
- SoWk 325, Social Work Practice Theory I 4
- SoWk 409, Field Instruction 10
- SoWk 410, Social Work Senior Seminar 2
- SoWk 425, Social Work Practice Theory II 3
- One of the following courses: 3
Soc 301, Community Development
Soc 392, Methods of Social Research II
SoWk 345, Women's Concerns
SoWk 350, Human Services: Child Welfare
SoWk 350, Human Services: Services to Families
Planning guide
| First year | General education Human Biology Principles of Sociology General Psychology Sociology of the Family |
| Second year | General education Human Behavior Introduction to Social Work Social Service Field Experience SST (spring or summer) Expository Writing (strongly recommended) |
| Third year | General education Social Welfare Policy and Program I, II Practice Theory I Methods of Social Research Race, Class and Ethnic Relations Abnormal Psychology Social Work Elective |
| Fourth year | Balance of general education Social Work Practice Theory II Field Instruction Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
Students declaring a social work major are assigned a social work faculty adviser. Students exploring their interest in social work are invited to talk with the program director. Academic advising, which takes place in the fall and spring semesters each year, aids students in selecting courses in the sequence required for successful completion of the program. All social work courses must be taken in numbered sequence. If possible, Methods of Social Research should precede Social Work Practice Theory I. Additional advising appointments are scheduled as part of admission to the program and to field instruction. Students are encouraged to initiate contact with faculty advisers as issues arise, at any time throughout the academic year.
Psyc 100, General Psychology is a pre-requisite for Psyc 306, Abnormal Psychology. Biol 154, Human Biology is strongly recommended for general education science. Courses in human biology, statistics and expository writing are typically required for admission into Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.
Academic requirements
The professional practice of social work requires acquisition of knowledge, specific skills, a firm identification with specified values and ethics and a high degree of social and personal responsibility. Students whose academic work falls below a C in required social work and related courses, or whose personal or professional behavior is inconsistent with the above requirements, may be asked to leave the program. Students who are denied admission or dismissed from the program, and believe relevant policies were unfairly administered, have the right to initiate the Goshen College grievance procedure.
Minor in sociology
18 credit hours
- Soc 200, Principles of Sociology 3
- Soc 310, Social Theory 3
- Soc 391, Methods of Social Research 3
- Three courses in sociology (at least one upper level, 300 or above) 9
Planning and advising notes
The minor in sociology is not available to students majoring in social work. For elective sociology courses in the minor, courses taught from within the sociology department (not cross-listed with other departments) are strongly preferred.
Minor in social policy
18-19 credit hours
Core courses (9-10 credit hours):
- One of the following courses: 3-4
SoWk 322, Social Welfare Policy and Program I
PoSc 210, Introduction to Public Policy - One of the following courses: 3
Econ 203, Principles of Microeconomics
Hist 225, History of Global Poverty
Phil 302, Ethics and Morality
Psyc 200, Social Psychology
Soc 200, Principles of Sociology
Soc 230, Cultural Anthropology - SoWk 321, Social Service Field Experience (or alt internship) 3
Skills and methodology courses (9 credit hours):
- Three of the following, with no more than two courses from
any one department: 9
Bus 121, Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Bus 215, Entrepreneurial Finance
Bus 319, Leading Nonprofit Organizations
Comm 212, Broadcast Media Production I
Comm 250, Writing for Media
Comm 324, Principles of Public Relations
PJCS 325, Mediation: Process, Skills and Theory
PJCS 426, Conflict in Groups
Soc 301, Community Development
Soc 391, Methods of Social Research
Planning and advising notes
To obtain a minor in social policy, students must consult with their major adviser and submit a proposal of their goals and rationale for their course choices in the minor to the Social Policy Review Committee for approval. At least nine credit hours in this minor must be upper level (300 level and above) courses. After the plan of study is approved and submitted to the registrar, students will continue to be advised for the minor by their major advisers. Double counting will be limited to two courses, i.e., at least 12 hours of the minor must be met through discrete courses that do not count toward a student’s major requirements.
In the social policy internship, students will gain practical experience in their specific areas of interest. Most will complete an internship through the existing course, SoWk 321, which combines 40 hours in an agency and policy setting with weekly class sessions. Students may also meet this requirement through existing departmental internship courses, provided they meet the three credit hour requirement. The internship requirement may also be met through an off-campus program, approved by the social policy review committee, such as the Chicago Center.
Sociology courses
SOC 100 Racial & Cultural Identities-Colloq 3
Designed for the first-year colloquium, this course explores and examines community, individual and personal identity through: reading historical and contemporary texts on race, ethnicity and culture, and identity development; classroom experiences and assignments; and interaction with the local community. The content focuses on the US and its history as the context for exploring the most current understandings of how race, ethnicity, culture, language and privilege shape identity, explores current understandings of individual identity in relation to larger social systems, and explores the interaction of individual identity development with larger cultural and social systems.
SOC 200 Principles of Sociology 3
An introduction to the study of human society through basic sociological concepts and perspectives - culture and social order, social interaction, social stratification, power and organizations. Teaches fundamental skills of behavioral observation and social analysis and discusses topics of current concern.
SOC 205 Introduction to Women's Studies 3
(Cross-listed from WoSt 200) Introduction to major areas of feminist thought (historical and contemporary) that shaped the field of Women's Studies. Course objectives focus on increasing students' understandings of the social systemic factors (i.e., sociological factors) that influence women's lived experience. Readings, small group discussions, and service learning/activism projects enable students to apply feminist theory concerning women and gender in an interdisciplinary context. This course serves as an introductory survey course for women's studies and a topical exploration for sociology.
SOC 207 Introduction to Statistics 3
(Cross-listed from Econ 207) Collection, presentation and analysis of numerical data. Descriptive measures; index numbers; probability, sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing; linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: a knowledge of algebra.
SOC 210 Sociology of the Family 3
Course combines institutional and functional approaches in the study of courtship, mate selection, marriage, family roles and relationships, family disorganization and social trends affecting the family in contemporary society and culture.
SOC 230 Cultural Anthropology 3
Course teaches an anthropological approach to cultural studies at a time when global cultural homogenization is producing increasing conflict around cultural differences. Students gain knowledge and skills for making sense of all culturally conditioned experience - both "ours" and "theirs." Lab component teaches ethnographic skills needed by anyone wishing to relate competently to persons whose linguistic, social and cultural backgrounds differ from one's own.
SOC 260 Human Sexuality 3
Biographical, psychological and sociological factors determining sex-role identification and role performance; human reproduction, fertility control and sexual disorders; social and spiritual values in human sexuality; sex discrimination and movements toward sex equality.
SOC 301 Community Development 3
Anthropological and sociological perspectives on rural communities, small towns, urban neighborhoods and globally networked associations involved in processes of both intentional and unintended change. Course focuses on community life and development both locally and internationally with special attention to global linkages between the two. Especially designed for environmental studies, PJCS, policy studies, sociology, social work and other majors who expect to work actively with communities and social change organizations toward empowerment of people to find collective and effective solutions to problems of development. Specific foci within the course may vary according to professor's interests and expertise.
SOC 302 Urban Diversity 3
Student is exposed to issues affecting the lives of an ethnically and religiously diverse urban populace - racism, sexism, classism - and helped to develop new ways of conceptualizing and interpreting the contemporary urban scene. Reading, research and writing are integrated with the student's first-hand involvement in issues under study. Available through the Chicago Center or WCSC in Washington, D.C.
SOC 310 Social Theory 3
A seminar for sociology majors and minors, open to other students with the permission of the instructor. Students will examine the assumptions, purposes, and orientations of sociology by critically engaging selected works by the classical figures of social theory (e.g. Durkheim, Marx, Simmel, Tocqueville, and Weber) as well as writing by contemporary representatives of the classical perspectives. Prerequisite: Soc 200 and junior standing.
SOC 315 Religion in Culture and Society 3
An analysis of social, cultural and political contexts that affect religious institutions and expressions, and upon which religious beliefs and practice have an influence. This course is taught in alternate years by the Bible, Religion and Philosophy and Sociology-Anthropology departments. When taught by Sociology/Anthropology, the course has a cross-cultural, comparative focus on ritual and belief. Students complete an ethnographic study of a local religious group or phenomenon.
SOC 322 Social Policy and Programs 3
Economic and social justice is used as an organizing framework to study the relationship between major social problems and social welfare policy, programs and services. Included are poverty, health and mental-health care, family problems, racism, sexism and other forms of institutionalized oppression. The political aspects of social welfare policy and the legislative process itself are examined in depth. Prerequisites: SoWk 221, 224, 321 or consent of instructor.
SOC 334 Race, Class & Ethnic Relations 3
A study of the dynamics of race and ethnic group interaction focusing on minority groups in the U.S. as defined by race, language, culture, religion or national origin. Attention is given to social class, power and majority-group dominance as factors in assimilation and culture-loss or collective self-determination and maintenance of cultural pluralism. Prerequisite: Soc 200.
SOC 336 Latin American Societies & Cultures 3
Current developments are examined within the context of a general survey of Latin-American societies and cultures. The course aims to provide: 1) a basic knowledge of Central and South-American geography and social structure, 2) an acquaintance with alternative ways of interpreting information about and experiential knowledge of Latin-American life, and 3) an opportunity to explore themes of oppression and liberation as these pertain to Latin-American thought and experience.
SOC 340 African Societies and Cultures 3
A study of the current development and modernization of the nations and peoples of Sub-Sahara Africa. After brief attention to the geographic, historical and anthropological factors underlying Africa's development, the major focus will be on the current social and political forces that are shaping the developing nations.
SOC 345 Women's Concerns 3
(Cross-listed with SoWk 345) This course covers a wide range of issues that are part of contemporary North American women's lives. The place of women in society is approached from the position of social and economic justice. The course: (a) examines and critiques the U.S. American women's movement as an interpersonal and psychological phenomenon; (b) identifies cultural, religious, racial, social, economic and political processes as they affect women's lives; (c) considers women to be persons of worth and value with the right of self-determination ; and (d) assists in understanding, contextually, women's requests for help and appropriate intervention strategies. Class participation and small group discussions are important components of course learning.
SOC 351 Contemporary Issues: 3
A seminar providing for in-depth investigation of a current social problem or issue, such as the plight of the cities, male identity, communal societies, social inequality, food and the environment, and Latino families in the U.S. The seminar topic varies from year to year.
SOC 391 Methods of Social Research 3
Introduces the principles and methods of quantitative and qualitative research in sociology and social work, including descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
SOC 392 Methods of Social Research 3
A research internship, consisting of original research on a specific problem, data analysis and presentation of findings in oral and written-thesis formats. Prerequisite: Soc 391.
SOC 400 Advanced Readings 1
This independent study provides the opportunity for Sociology majors and minors to pursue more individualized, self-guided study and research in a topic of interest, and strengthen their skills and knowledge in an area of sociology or anthropology where they have not been able to do course work. Prerequiste: Soc 200, upper level standing, and consent of instructor.
SOC 409 Field Experience in Soc/Anthro 3
(3-6)
An internship that puts sociological-anthropological perspectives and methods into practice in an organizational setting. The internship is designed by the student in consultation with their faculty advisor and supervised by a preceptor in the contracting host organization. Forty hours of internship experience will be expected for each hour of credit earned. Prerequistes: Soc 200, upper level standing, and instructor approval.
SOC 410 Senior Seminar 1
Weekly meetings of sociology majors and faculty to guide the research, writing, and revising of a capstone paper. Topics such as vocation, career planning and graduate study will also be engaged.
Social work courses
SOWK 221 Human Behavior 3
A study of the individual through the life cycle within the social environment. Focus on physical, psychological, social, cultural and religious factors in the development of the self.
SOWK 224 Introduction to Social Work 3
Analysis of the knowledge base, value structure, purpose, nature, history and function of social work practice in various social welfare activities and social workers through observation and guided participation in programs for meeting human need. Students engage in a specific field experience as part of course requirements and must furnish their own transportation.
SOWK 321 Social Service Field Experience 3
Offers sophomore or junior students an initial exposure to social work practice in a social agency. The course focuses on an integrated understanding of the organizational and community context for social work practice and offers the students an opportunity for observing social work practitioners and offering specific services to clients. Classroom activities include discussion of social work related issues and concerns. Prerequisites: SoWk 221, 224 or consent of instructor. Students furnish their own transportation for field placement.
SOWK 322 Social Welfare Policy & Program I 3
Economic and social justice is used as an organizing framework to study the relationship between major social problems and social welfare policy, programs and services. Included are poverty, health and mental-health care, family problems, racism, sexism and other forms of institutionalized oppression. The political aspects of social welfare policy and the legislative process itself are examined in depth. Prerequisites: SoWk 221, 224 or consent of instructor.
SOWK 323 Social Welfare Policy & Program II 4
A critical analysis of social welfare programs and issues of social welfare policy, including philosophical perspectives, the broad issues of organization, cost delivery, impact, effectiveness and alternate strategies. Students develop skills in identifying, evaluating and formulating macro-level approaches to social problems. Prerequisite: SoWk 322 or consent of instructor.
SOWK 325 Social Work Practice Theory I 4
Systems approach to the practice of social work beginning with a model for solving human problems. Emphasizes development of a theoretical base for social work practice and includes a laboratory in which specific behavioral skills are developed through simulation experiences. Prerequisites: SoWk 221, 224.
SOWK 345 Women's Concerns 3
This course covers a wide range of issues that are part of contemporary North American women's lives. The place of women in society is approached from the position of social and economic justice. The course: (a) examines and critiques the U.S. American women's movement as an interpersonal and psychological phenomenon; (b) identifies cultural, religious, racial, social, economic and political processes as they affect women's lives; (c) considers women to be persons of worth and value with the right of self-determination ; and (d) assists in understanding, contextually, women's requests for help and appropriate intervention strategies. Class participation and small group discussions are important components of course learning.
SOWK 350 Human Services:Special Studies 3
An in-depth seminar on a selected field of service, program or policy issue. Particular emphasis is given to concepts of exploitation and social/economic justice. Check the course offering list to see current options.
SOWK 391 Methods of Social Research 3
(Cross-listed from Soc 391) The principles and methods of quantitative and qualitative research in sociology and social work, including descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisites: Soc 200, 210, 221, SoWk 224.
SOWK 409 Field Instruction 10
Integration of knowledge base and the acquisition of social work practice skills through direct practice under a qualified field instructor in a social service agency. Field Instruction must be applied for during the spring of the year preceding enrollment. Usually taken over two semesters; may be taken for 10 credits during the spring semester by approval of program director. Prerequisites: SoWk 323, 325 and consent of program director. Students furnish their own transportation for field placement.
SOWK 410 Social Work Senior Seminar 2
Taken during the second semester of Field Instruction or concurrent with one semester block field placement. A weekly seminar that offers the integration of learnings from all social work and required related courses. The final exam takes the form of a written paper and oral examination through which students demonstrate their integration of learning and skill competencies.
SOWK 425 Social Work Practice Theory II 3
Expansion of learnings from Social Work Practice Theory I and Social Welfare Policy and Program II and application to social work practice with individuals, families and social systems of varying size. This course is taught concurrently with the first semester of field instruction, which provides the opportunity to integrate theory with skill development. Prerequisites: SoWk 323, 325, and admission to the program.
