Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Professors Barone, Burling, Day, Fallin, Gilbert, Hultquist (Chair), Truss, Turner; Associate Professors Doerfler, Parker; Assistant Professors Bawden, Newell, Ochoa-Winemiller, Sherod; Instructor Tetloff; Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of the Social Work Program Hitchcock; Clinical Instructor of Social Work Duke.
General Education
All undergraduate students must complete two semesters of World Civilizations (HIST 101 & 102 or 103 & 104).
Several courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences count toward fulfillment of the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the UM General Education requirements: GEOG 231; POS 200, 250; PSYC 201; PSYC/SWK 203; PSYC/SWK 322; SOC 230, 250; SOC/SWK 260.
Majors
The department offers bachelor’s degrees in history, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and social science.
The B.A. degree requires completion of the second-year course sequence in a foreign language. The B.S. degree requires 18 semester hours of science and mathematics.
History
Students majoring in history must take 36 hours of history courses, including the following: HIST 101, 102, 211, 212, 310, and 491; at least two non-American history courses numbered 300 and above; GEOG 231; and 12 credit hours of 300- to 400-level history electives. HIST 101 and 102 are prerequisites for all upper-level history courses, and HIST 211 and/or 212 are prerequisites for many U.S. history electives. History majors will take the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) in the senior seminar (HIST 491). History majors are not required to have a minor.
Political Science
The Political Science major must complete POS 200, 250, 370, 385, 455, 475, and 499, GEOG 231, and 9 additional hours of electives in the subject. POS majors must take the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) prior to graduation. Political Science majors are not required to have a minor.
Psychology
Students majoring in Psychology must take 36 hours of psychology courses, including the following: PSYC 201, 300, 306, 310, 321, 340, 425, and 499. Students who complete a double major in Psychology and Social Work may apply for licensure as a Social Worker at the baccalaureate level and for advanced standing in graduate schools of Social Work. Psychology majors must take the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) in Psychology during their senior year.
Social Science
Candidates for the B.A. or B.S. degree in Social Science must fulfill the general requirements for those degrees. They must also complete 54 hours in social-science courses, including:
- HIST 211 and 212, one non-American history course, POS 200 and 455, POS elective, SOC 230 and 480, SOC elective, POS/SOC 370 or SWK/SOC 355, GEOG 231, EC 231, HIST 485;
- 12 hours from one of the following fields: history, political science, sociology; and
- 3-hour elective in geography.
A minor is not required with the Social Science major.
Social Science (Alternative Master’s Degree Program Track)
Candidates who wish to pursue teaching certification through the Alternative Master’s Degree Program must successfully complete the following courses to meet the prerequisites for admission to the Alternative Master’s Degree Program: GEOG 331, HIST 355 or 370, HIST 472 and 485, three upper-level history electives and PSYC 201.
Social Work
The primary goal of the Social Work major is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to provide such education at the undergraduate level. Upon graduation, students may apply for licensure at the baccalaureate level and for advanced standing in graduate schools of social work. Social work majors must earn a grade of C or better in all social work courses.
To be fully admitted to the program in the junior year, the student must:
- complete a prescribed list of courses, which is identified in the Student Handbook;
- have an overall GPA of 2.3 or better;
- have a GPA of 3.0 or better in SWK 203 and 322 and in PSYC 306; and
- satisfactorily complete the application process described in the Student Handbook. Students must be admitted to the Program prior to being admitted to the Practicum.
Academic Support Area—Social Work majors must take the following support courses for the major: EC 231, Macroeconomics; PSYC 300, Descriptive Statistics; PSYC 306, Lifespan Developmental Psychology; PSYC 310, Psychopathology, POS 200, American National Government, POS 250 State and Local Government; and three hours from one of the following: ANTH 310, Introduction to Anthropology; GEOG 231, World Regional Geography; GEOG 331, Human Geography; and SOC 324, Social Stratification.
Sociology
All majors in Sociology must complete SOC 230, 320 or 324, 355 or 370, and 480. An additional 18 hours of electives must be taken in sociology or anthropology. Sociology majors are not required to have a minor.
Upon declaring sociology as a major, the student will establish a portfolio of work. Term papers, research projects, and other course materials will be kept on file. These materials will assist the faculty in advising students and working with them in constructing post-graduation plans.
An exit interview is required of all graduating seniors. This will provide students with the opportunity to critique the quality of education provided by the sociology program.
Seniors are also expected to take the MFAT (given only during the spring semester), a standardized exam that is used by the program to assess its performance. Students have the option of making their scores a part of their permanent record.
Minors
History
The History minor consists of 18 hours in history courses numbered 200 and above, including HIST 211, 212, and at least one course in non-American history.
Human Rights and Public Service
The Human Rights and Public Service minor should help Political Science majors and minors, along with other students interested in service learning, to prepare for graduate studies or careers in the fields of human rights, political science, or international relations. It may also be of interest to students who are simply interested in expanding their citizenship skills through civic action. The minor requires 18 hours, consisting of three courses chosen from the following: POS 200, 360, 385, 450, 475, and POS/HIST 423; one additional course chosen from the following: PHIL 320, SOC 324, SWK 203; plus an internship/project and an independent study course to be developed in consultation with the HRPS adviser. Other appropriate courses may be substituted by permission of the HRPS adviser, Scott Turner.
Human Services
The Human Services minor introduces students to social-welfare systems, human behavior and the social environment and helping systems. The minor requires SWK 203 and 322, and four electives chosen from the following: PSYC 307, 321, 352; SOC 320, 324, 401; SWK 373; SOC/SWK 260, 380. Students may not count a course toward both the major and minor.
Political Science
A Political Science minor consists of POS 200, 250, 455, and 475, GEOG 231, and 6 additional elective hours in the subject.
Pre-Law
The Pre-Law minor consists of 18 hours of required and elective interdisciplinary courses. The courses that qualify for the minor have been selected in order to introduce undergraduate students to subjects that are required in law school and that are tested on the Alabama Bar Examination, and to develop appropriate skills for subsequent legal education and research. The minor requires BL 283, POS 200 and 475, and 9 credit hours of elective courses chosen from the following: POS 250, 380, 385, POS/SOC 370, SOC 342, BL 384, AC 221, 222, 421, HIST 441 and/or HIST 442. Most law schools emphasize the importance of a broad liberal-arts background and seldom prescribe any particular major for pre-law students. Students who are interested in attending law school should consult the pre-law adviser, C. Doerfler, early in their college career.
Psychology
A Psychology minor consists of PSYC 201 and 15 hours of psychology electives.
Sociology
The Sociology minor consists of SOC 230 and at least 15 additional hours in sociology.
Courses in Behavioral and Social Sciences
Anthropology (ANTH)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 310 |
Introduction to Anthropology |
3 |
Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 309 |
Writing in the Behavioral and Social Sciences |
1 |
Geography (GEOG)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 131 |
Physical Geography |
3 |
| 231 |
World Regional Geography |
3 |
| 303 |
Selected Topics in Geography |
3 |
| 331 |
Human Geography |
3 |
| 375 |
Geography of the U.S. and Canada |
3 |
| 405 |
Urban Geography |
3 |
| 411 |
Selected Topics in Geography |
3 |
| 466 |
Political Geography |
3 |
History (HIST)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 101 |
History of World Civilizations I |
3 |
| 102 |
History of World Civilizations II |
3 |
| 103 |
History of World Civilizations I for Honors Students |
3 |
| 104 |
History of World Civilizations II for Honors Students |
3 |
| 203 |
Survey of United States History |
3 |
| 211 |
History of the United States I |
3 |
| 212 |
History of the United States II |
3 |
| 303 |
Selected Topics in History |
3 |
| 310 |
Introduction to Historical Study |
3 |
| 325 |
Women’s History |
3 |
| 355 |
Research in Social Welfare |
3 |
| 363 |
History of Europe Since 1815 |
3 |
| 370 |
Research Methods in the Social Sciences |
3 |
| 380 |
History of Latin America |
3 |
| 411 |
Selected Topics in History |
3 |
| 423 |
Civil Rights Movement |
3 |
| 424 |
Colonial Latin America |
3 |
| 425 |
Modern Latin America |
3 |
| 426 |
U.S.-Latin American Relations: 1820 to present |
3 |
| 432 |
History of French Film |
3 |
| 435 |
History of Modern Japan |
3 |
| 441 |
History of England I |
3 |
| 442 |
History of England II |
3 |
| 443 |
Middle East |
3 |
| 444 |
The Islamic World |
3 |
| 447 |
Medieval European History, 476–1400 |
3 |
| 448 |
Renaissance and Reformation, 1300–1563 |
3 |
| 455 |
The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era, 1789–1815 |
3 |
| 458 |
History of Germany, 1871–1945 |
3 |
| 460 |
History of the South |
3 |
| 461 |
History of Early Modern Europe, up to 1789 |
3 |
| 465 |
History of France Since 1815 |
3 |
| 466 |
Political Geography |
3 |
| 470 |
Colonial America |
3 |
| 471 |
Revolutionary America |
3 |
| 472 |
History of Alabama |
3 |
| 473 |
African-American History |
3 |
| 474 |
Jeffersonian-Jacksonian America |
3 |
| 475 |
Constitutional Law |
3 |
| 476 |
The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1850–1877 |
3 |
| 477 |
The Gilded Age |
3 |
| 479 |
History of Alabama’s Constitutions |
3 |
| 480 |
Diplomatic History of the United States |
3 |
| 481 |
The United States, 1900–1945 |
3 |
| 482 |
The United States Since 1945 |
3 |
| 483 |
History of Africa |
3 |
| 484 |
U.S. Wars—Korea and Vietnam |
3 |
| 485 |
Senior Seminar in Social Science |
3 |
| 490 |
Directed Reading and Independent Study |
3 |
| 491 |
Senior Seminar in History |
3 |
| 495 |
Internship in History |
up to 6 |
Political Science (POS)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 200 |
American National Government |
3 |
| 250 |
State and Local Government |
3 |
| 303 |
Selected Topics in Political Science |
3 |
| 315 |
African Politics |
3 |
| 320 |
Political Film |
3 |
| 340 |
World Politics |
3 |
| 360 |
Citizenship and Public Service |
3 |
| 370 |
Research Methods |
3 |
| 380 |
Foundations of Political Thought |
3 |
| 385 |
Modern Political Thought |
3 |
| 405 |
Great Books in Political Thought |
3 |
| 411 |
Selected Topics in Political Science |
3 |
| 422 |
American Political Thought |
3 |
| 423 |
Civil Rights Movement |
3 |
| 443 |
Middle East |
3 |
| 444 |
Public Policy |
3 |
| 450 |
Global Policy Studies |
3 |
| 455 |
International Relations |
3 |
| 475 |
Constitutional Law |
3 |
| 479 |
History of Alabama’s Constitutions |
3 |
| 480 |
Diplomatic History of the United States |
3 |
| 484 |
U.S. Wars—Korea and Vietnam |
3 |
| 485 |
Senior Seminar in Social Science |
3 |
| 490 |
Directed Reading in Political Science |
3 |
| 495 |
Government Internship |
3–15 |
| 499 |
The Science of Politics |
3 |
Psychology (PSYC)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 201 |
Foundations in Psychology |
3 |
| 203 |
Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work |
3 |
| 300 |
Descriptive Statistics |
3 |
| 304 |
Special Topics in Psychology I |
3 |
| 305 |
Special Topics in Psychology II |
3 |
| 306 |
Lifespan Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| 307 |
Psychology of Death |
3 |
| 310 |
Psychopathology |
3 |
| 311 |
Substance Abuse |
3 |
| 312 |
Psychology in Film |
3 |
| 321 |
Social Psychology |
3 |
| 322 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment |
3 |
| 340 |
Cognitive Psychology |
3 |
| 345 |
Principles of Learning |
3 |
| 350 |
Forensic Psychology |
3 |
| 351 |
Clinical Techniques and Ethics for the Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
| 352 |
Health Psychology |
3 |
| 415 |
Human Factors |
3 |
| 418 |
Psychological Testing |
3 |
| 420 |
Sensation and Perception |
3 |
| 425 |
Biological Psychology |
3 |
| 430 |
Experimental Psychology and Inferential Statistics |
3 |
| 445 |
Sex Roles, Gender, and Culture |
3 |
| 489 |
Individual Research I |
3 |
| 490 |
Individual Research II |
3 |
| 491 |
Directed Readings in Psychology |
3 |
| 499 |
Senior Seminar in the History of Psychology: A Capstone Experience |
3 |
Social Work (SWK)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 203 |
Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work |
3 |
| 260 |
Family and Child Issues and Services |
3 |
| 301–305 |
Selected Topics in Social Work |
3 |
| 311 |
Substance Abuse |
3 |
| 322 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment |
3 |
| 350 |
Introduction to Social Work Practice |
3 |
| 355 |
Research in Social Welfare |
3 |
| 373 |
Social Policy |
3 |
| 380 |
Mental Health Issues and Services |
3 |
| 400 |
Skills for Social Work Practice |
3 |
| 401 |
Social Gerontology |
3 |
| 410 |
Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families |
3 |
| 420 |
Social Work Practice with Small Groups, Communities, and Organizations |
3 |
| 455 |
Social Work Practicum |
10 |
| 456 |
Social Work Integrative Seminar |
2 |
| 490 |
Directed Readings in Social Work |
1–3 |
Sociology (SOC)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 230 |
Introductory Sociology |
3 |
| 240 |
Social Problems |
3 |
| 250 |
Marriage and the Family |
3 |
| 260 |
Family and Child Issues and Services |
3 |
| 303 |
Selected Topics in Sociology |
3 |
| 310 |
Sociology of Popular Music |
3 |
| 311 |
Substance Abuse |
3 |
| 320 |
Social Interaction |
3 |
| 321 |
Social Psychology |
3 |
| 322 |
Minorities |
3 |
| 324 |
Social Stratification |
3 |
| 341 |
Juvenile Delinquency |
3 |
| 342 |
Criminology |
3 |
| 352 |
Medical Sociology |
3 |
| 355 |
Research in Social Welfare |
3 |
| 360 |
Social Change |
3 |
| 370 |
Research Methods |
3 |
| 373 |
Social Policy |
3 |
| 380 |
Mental Health Issues and Services |
3 |
| 393 |
Probation and Parole |
3 |
| 401 |
Social Gerontology |
3 |
| 402 |
Sociology of Education |
3 |
| 405 |
Urban Geography |
3 |
| 411 |
Selected Topics in Sociology |
3 |
| 445 |
Sex Roles, Gender, and Culture |
3 |
| 480 |
Development of Sociological Theory |
3 |
| 485 |
Senior Seminar in Social Science |
3 |
| 490 |
Independent Study in Sociology |
3 |
