Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK

Chair: Roma Stovall Hanks (251) 460-6347

Interim Graduate Coordinator: Roma Stovall Hanks

Professors: Daley, Gartman, Hanks, Johnson, Moberg, Picou, Waselkov

Associate Professors: N. Carr, P. Carr, Hudson, Marshall

Assistant Professors: Bryan, Freed, McAdory

Instructor: Haas, Pettway

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work web site
http://www.southalabama.edu/syansw

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Sociology is the scientific study of human social patterns and processes. Broad questions which are addressed include: how are patterns (institutions, group structures and procedures) derived, maintained and changed; how do patterns interrelate and what are the implications of these patterns for the human condition?

Anthropology is the study of human biological and cultural variation, both past and present. It seeks to establish principles and generalizations about societies and their cultures, and to increase understanding among people.

Social Work is a profession devoted to helping people solving problems and issues in their lives. The social worker is guided by a professional code of ethics in assisting people to achieve an effective level of psychosocial functioning and effecting social change to improve the well being of everyone. Social work is founded on the principles of services; social and economic justice; personal dignity and worth; the importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence.

All first-time freshmen must successfully complete CAS 100: First Year Experience as a degree requirement. Students must enroll during their first term at USA, except for summer-entry students who must enroll in the fall semester following entry.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY

A minimum of 35 semester hours in Sociology, including SY 109, SY 112, SY 376, SY 381 and SY 382. All sociology majors are also required to take AN 100 or 101, and ST 210. At least 17 of the 35 semester hours required for a major must be taken in upper division courses (300-400 level). SY 475 is recommended for students contemplating graduate work. No more than six semester hours of Directed Studies may be used in meeting the major requirements. Students pursuing a degree in Sociology also must have a minor in another discipline.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIOLOGY MAJORS

General Education Requirements for Sociology majors are specified in the College of Arts and Sciences section. Note that Area IV is partially satisfied by the major requirements specified above.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN SOCIOLOGY

A minimum of 18 semester hours in Sociology, including SY 109. No more than six semester hours of Directed Studies may be used in meeting the minor requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY

A minimum of 34 semester hours in Anthropology, including AN 100, AN 101, AN 210, AN 345, AN 454, a 300 or 400 level Archaeology course, and a 300 or 400 level Cultural Anthropology course. Majors must complete 15 of the 34 semester hours required in Anthropology at the 300 level or above. All Anthropology majors are also required to take SY 109. Students pursuing a degree in Anthropology also must have a minor in another discipline.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENTAL
HONORS PROGRAM

Students will work with a faculty mentor from the Anthropology Program and two other faculty members while pursuing an Honors Senior Thesis. Students must apply for the program, during any year of attendance at the University.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTHROPOLOGY MAJORS

General Education Requirements for Anthropology majors are specified in the College of Arts and Sciences section. Note that Area IV is partially satisfied by the major requirements specified above, and that Area III is partially satisfied by AN 210.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY

A minimum of 18 semester hours in Anthropology, including AN 100 and AN 101.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN SOCIAL WORK

Social work is a profession devoted to helping people solving problems and issues in their lives. The social worker is guided by a professional code of ethics in assisting people to achieve an effective level of psychosocial functioning and effecting social change to improve the well being of everyone. Social work is founded on the principles of service; social and economic justice; personal dignity and worth; the importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence.

USA offers the Bachelor of Social Work program which prepares students for the entry level practice of social work. The bachelor's degree in social work prepares students for membership in professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers, and to sit for state licensing examinations.

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

The BSW program at USA utilizes a generalist method of practice.

The program mission for Social Work at the University of South Alabama is to prepare competent, effective entry level social work professionals to address the social welfare needs of the Gulf Coast and Southwest Alabama regions. The program has a strong commitment to provide professional leadership to the region in terms of social work education, service to the community and in scholarly endeavors. In order to be attuned to the community context of exploration of both urban and rural community practice, the curriculum covers the foundations of the social work profession, the person-environment perspective, liberal arts preparation, diversity, poverty, social and economic justice, and a strong value base for practice.

Social work goals based on its mission are:

Program graduates will be prepared for competent, entry level generalist professional social work with diverse groups and populations-at-risk in both urban and rural communities, and who are effective in enhancing human well-being.

Program graduates will be able to employ critical thinking skills and research knowledge in order to ethically evaluate policy and practice, and advocate for change in organizations and communities, and add to social work knowledge.

Program graduates will be capable of integrating social work knowledge, values and skills into entry level ethical social work practice with systems of all sizes with an emphasis on the needs of the Gulf Coast and Southwest Alabama.

Program graduates will have the demonstrated capacity to identify with the profession and take an active role in professional leadership.

The program faculty will be active in service to the broader Mobile and Southwest Alabama community and social work profession and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession, particularly in relation to regional issues.

SOCIAL WORK ADMISSION POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The social work program has a policy and procedures for admission to the major that are consistent with the goals of the BSW program. The policies and procedures insure that students have a liberal arts base, demonstrate a beginning knowledge of social work and identification with the profession, have content in diversity, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, and can demonstrate effective communication skills prior to entry into the professional foundation.

ADMISSION POLICY

Students who want to major in social work are admitted to the pre-professional social work major and remain in the pre-professional major until they meet requirements to be admitted into the social work major. The policy is applicable to all students: new freshmen, transfer students, and students changing their major. In order to be admitted into the social work major, students must meet the following criteria:

Have a 2.60 overall GPA in courses taken at USA.

Have completed SW 200, SW 212, and SW 214 with a grade of "C" or better.

Have completed the Biology requirement with a grade of "C" or better.

Have completed EH 101 and EH 102 with a grade of "C" or better.

Have completed the Math requirement.

Have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Have completed the Statistics requirement (ST 210).

Meet all requirements specified by the program for demonstrating behavior consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Students who are considering pursuing a major in social work should consult with a social work advisor at the earliest opportunity. Students entering the pre-professional social work major who have 50 or more credit hours are strongly encouraged to take SW 200, SW 212 and SW 214 in their first semester. There may be factors in a student's past that could affect the ability to obtain a professional social work license. Examples of factors that may need to discussed with the advisor might include conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or the revocation or surrender of another professional license.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Once the student has completed the specified requirements, the student must make application for admission to the social work major. Students are encouraged to consult with their social work advisor prior to submitting this application.

The student's application for admission to the major will be reviewed by the BSW program faculty and a determination will be made on whether or not the student will be admitted to the major. Following this determination the student will be notified in writing concerning the faculty decision.

Once the student is admitted to the major, the program will initiate a change of major to the university. The student will then need to meet with his/her advisor to sign off on a form indicating student understanding of the criteria for continuation as a social work major. The criteria for continuation as a major include:

Maintain a 2.50 grade point average in social work courses.

Maintain an overall 2.60 grade point average at USA.

Demonstrate acceptable professional conduct, personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for effective social work practice.

Demonstrate identification with the profession of social work.

Demonstrate behavior consistent with Code of Ethics for the National Association of Social Workers.

Students who have not been admitted to the major may not enroll for SW 302, SW 310, SW 401, SW 402, SW 412 or SW 414.

Four Year Curriculum for the Social Work Program

Freshman Year

Fall Semester	Spring Semester
EH 101 or exemption	EH 102
CA 110 Oral Communication	Fine Arts *
Foreign Language *	Foreign Language *
CAS 100 (2)	SY 109 Introductory SY
Biology (BLY 101)	Biology (BLY 102)
Semester Cred. Hrs.: 15	Semester Cred. Hrs.: 16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester	Spring Semester
Math (3 or 4 cr) *	PHL 131 Intro Ethics *
Literature *	HY 102 or HY 136 to complete HY sequence
HY 101 or HY 135	Statistics 210 (C)
SW 214 Social Work Skills & Field Exp.	SW 212 Intro to Social Welfare
SW 200 Intro to Social Work	PSC 130 US Government
SY 112 Social Problems	AN 100 Intro to Cultural Anthropology
Semester Cred. Hrs.: 18	Semester Cred. Hrs.: 17

Junior Year

Fall Semester	Spring Semester
SW 201 Human B. & Soc Envir I	SW 302 H.B. & Social Envir II
SY 381 Socio Research Methods I	SY 382 Socio Research Methods II
SW 301 Social Welfare Policy	SW 401 Generalist Practice I
AFR 101 * or Humanities	SW 310 Community Context
PSY 120 General Psychology	SY 220 Marriage & the Family
Semester Cred. Hrs.: 15	Semester Cred. Hrs.: 15

Senior Year

Fall Semester	Spring Semester
SW 402 Generalist Practice II	SW 412 Field Instruction (12 cr)
Electives (6-8 cr)	SW 414 Senior Seminar (3 cr)
SY 445 Maj/Min Relations	Elective (2-3)
SW Field of Practice Elective
Semester Cred. Hrs.: 15-17	Semester Cred. Hrs.: 15-17

Total Semester Cred Hrs.: 128

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS

General Education requirements for social work majors are specified in the College of Arts and Sciences section.

** Students must complete 4 additional hours of elective credits taken anytime throughout course of study to reach a total of 128 credit hours. Students must also complete two Writing Intensive (W) courses, one of which must be in Social Work or minor field. Students must meet the general education proficiency requirement. Students completing BSW requirements automatically complete the requirements for a minor in Sociology.

SOCIAL WORK AS A SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Students who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work as a second degree must meet the following requirements.

Meet the general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences

Meet the general education requirements specific to Social Work including:

Biology

Statistics

Diversity

Complete the following courses in the major:

SW 200

SW 212

SW 214

SW 201

SW 301

SW 302

SW 401

SW 402

SW 412

SW 414

SW Elective

SY 220

SY 381 & SY 382

SY 445

Total: 55 Semester Credit Hours

TRANSFER STUDENTS

In order to receive a degree in social work from the University of South Alabama, the student must complete SW 310, SW 401, SW 402, SW 412, and SW 414 and meet the university residency requirements.

Social work course credit will only be granted for courses transferred from programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or in CSWE Candidacy. The program director will evaluate social work transfer credits to determine equivalency. No credit will be given for life or prior work experience.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts degree program in sociology provides the student with training in advanced methods of sociological analysis and increased knowledge of specialized areas in sociology. The student may choose either the basic research or the applied research program. The basic research program is designed to prepare students for admission to doctoral programs in sociology. The applied research program is designed for students whose current situations or immediate goals involve careers in teaching, government, industry or social services. The program offers specialized training in a number of areas of sociology, including Applied, Environmental, Family Studies, Criminology and Gerontology. Students may be enrolled in the University's Gerontology Certification program while pursuing the M.A. in sociology.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Students are admitted each semester. The following criteria supplement the Graduate School criteria (see Categories of Admission).

REGULAR ADMISSION

1.	Undergraduate major in a social science from an accredited institution of higher education.
2.	"B" average in undergraduate courses in social science theory, research methods, and statistics.
3.	Score of 1000 or better on the verbal and quantitative subtests of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
4.	Submission of a statement of purpose, written by the applicant, which provides a brief intellectual autobiography of the student, an indication of special areas of interest within sociology, and a description of career goals. Statement should be typed, single spaced, and 1 to 1.5 pages in length.
5.	Submission of recommendation that documents the student's ability and willingness to work cooperatively and productively with faculty, students and staff.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

Applicants who do not meet all the requirements for full standing may be admitted provisionally. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and submission of GRE scores are required for provisional admission to the program. Admission decisions are based on the applicant's entire application package. Applicants with lower GPA's or GRE scores below 1000 may be admitted only when other outstanding credentials warrant exception.

Students meeting requirements for provisional admission must meet two requirements before being considered for regular admission: first, satisfy all condition of admission stated in the admission letter including any deficiencies in undergraduate theory, methods or statistics; second, in order to be eligible for regular status, the provisionally admitted student must have accrued a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of course work taken at the University of South Alabama for graduate credit with at least a "B" average in all such work attempted. Per Graduate School and Departmental requirements, no more than 15 semester hours of graduate credit earned as a Provisional Admission student may be approved for change of status to Regular Admission. The Provisional student who does not have the required "B" average upon completing 15 semester hours of graduate credit will be subject to dismissal from the graduate program and the Graduate School. Undergraduate courses in sociological theory and/or methods may be required upon Provisional Admission to the Sociology master's program. These courses are considered by the Department to be remedial and will not satisfy requirements for the master's degree. In order to change from Provisional to Regular status, a student must have satisfied all provisions stated in the admission letter.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION

Students holding baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions of higher education who are not interested in earning graduate degrees in Sociology or who need to complete prerequisites for particular graduate degree programs may enroll as Non-Degree graduate students. A suitable background for the courses to be taken is expected, i.e., at least one undergraduate course (or equivalent) in sociological theory and at least one undergraduate course (or equivalent) in sociological research methods. Because of limited class size and resources, the Sociology Department may limit the enrollment of Non-Degree students. After admission, permission to enter each course is obtained from the Graduate Director/Coordinator in the Department. Unless a non-degree applicant's academic record demonstrates prior mastery of sociological theory and methods, a minimum of one graduate-level sociological theory course and one graduate-level sociological methods course must be taken while pursuing non-degree studies at USA.

Non-Degree students subsequently seeking admission into the Sociology master's program must submit a formal application through the Office of Admissions to the Graduate Director/Coordinator of the Department. Students must meet departmental admissions criteria described under regular or provisional admissions. Students may be subject to further conditions, such as the completion of necessary undergraduate background courses and/or specific graduate-level courses. The student's record in graduate courses taken while in the Non-Degree status may be applied toward a graduate degree if the student is later admitted to a graduate program of study. Please refer to the Graduate School Requirements for non-degree admission.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Any student who receives two grades lower than "B" in graduate courses will be recommended to the Dean of the Graduate School for academic dismissal. Provisionally admitted or non-degree students must meet the conditions stated in their admission letter.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, BASIC RESEARCH PROGRAM

1.	A minimum of thirty-six semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree with a grade of "A" or "B". At least twenty-five of these hours must be in sociology.
2.	Completion of core requirements: SY 506, SY 508 and SY 509.
3.	Completion and Review of Graduate Portfolio. This includes a self-assessment written by the student that describes their strengths and weaknesses as they perceive them. The Graduate Portfolio should address the student's progress through the program and readiness for the thesis or research project. The Graduate Portfolio must also include three written papers that illustrate what the student considers to be their best work completed in the Masters program at USA. These submissions must include at least one paper from a methodology course and one paper from a theory course. Submissions must be "clean copies", with no marking from either the student or other faculty. Included with the submission should be a short description of the assignment it fulfilled. The graduate faculty will collectively review the portfolio and respond to the submission with a letter describing their assessment of the students' materials and recommendations for future work. The Graduate Portfolio will be submitted after the student completes at least 15 hours of graduate and no more than 21 hours of coursework, including required courses. The faculty review will be provided in writing three weeks after the submission of materials. Portfolios will only be reviewed during the fall or spring academic terms.
4.	Completion of SY 594, a directed studies course focused on the area of research interest and resulting in a thesis prospectus. This course must be taken after the portfolio review.
5.	Completion of a thesis representing original research. Six semester hours will be granted for the thesis. The thesis proposal and the final thesis must be approved by a committee that includes at least three members of the Graduate Faculty. The Chair of the Committee must be a member of the Sociology Graduate Faculty. Committee membership must minimally meet the following two criteria: 1) one theorist and one methodologist either from the Sociology faculty or other Graduate Faculty as appropriate and 2) one additional member of the Graduate Faculty from outside the Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work department. After the final product is approved by the Committee and Committee Chair, a PDF of the thesis must be supplied to the Department Chair and the departmental secretary. The Department Chair will approve the thesis after the PDF is submitted. It is the responsibility of the student to make the PDF and send it to and the Department Chair and the departmental secretary. Thesis preparation and approval process must follow graduate school policies.
6.	There will be an oral defense of both the proposal and the final thesis. The proposal and thesis defense will include a formal presentation of the research. The proposal defense will generate recommendations from the committee and these recommendations may be required for the final thesis. The thesis defense will involve the final product, including any changes discussed at the proposal defense. It may also include questions related to graduate coursework more generally. These meetings will be scored Pass or Fail. Students have two opportunities to pass their thesis defense.

BASIC RESEARCH PROGRAM SUMMARY

Students must participate in an orientation event (non-credit) during their first semester in the program.
Core Courses (SY 506, SY 508 and SY 509)	........................................................	9
Directed Study (SY 594)	........................................................	3
Thesis (SY 599)	........................................................	6
Elective Courses	........................................................	18
Total Credit Hours	........................................................	36


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS APPLIED RESEARCH PROGRAM
1.	A minimum of thirty-six semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree with a grade of "A" or "B". At least twenty-five of these hours must be in sociology.
2.	Completion of core requirements: SY 506, SY 508 and SY 509.
3.	Completion of SY 512 (Applied Sociology) and SY 596 (Internship).
4.	Completion and Review of Graduate Portfolio. This includes a self-assessment written by the student that describes their strengths and weaknesses as they perceive them. The Graduate Portfolio should address the student's progress through the program and readiness for the thesis or research project. The Graduate Portfolio must also include three written papers that illustrate what the student considers to be their best work completed in the Masters program at USA. These submissions must include at least one paper from a methodology course and one paper from a theory course. Submissions must be "clean copies", with no marking from either the student or other faculty. Included with the submission should be a short description of the assignment it fulfilled. The graduate faculty will collectively review the portfolio and respond to the submission with a letter describing their assessment of the students' materials and recommendations for future work. The Graduate Portfolio will be submitted after the student completes at least 15 hours of graduate and no more than 21 hours of coursework, including required courses. The faculty review will be provided in writing three weeks after the submission of materials. Portfolios will only be reviewed during the fall or spring academic terms.
5.	Completion of Sociology Internship (SY 596), in which a student spends no less than 100 and a maximum of 200 hours working in a local agency under an on-site supervisor and with a USA faculty member as academic supervisor.
6.	Completion of Applied Research project: The applied project includes a proposal of the research and final document that must be approved by a committee that includes at least three members of Graduate Faculty. The Chair of the Committee must be a member of the Sociology Graduate Faculty. Committee membership must minimally meet the following two criteria: 1) one theorist and one methodologist either from the Sociology faculty or other Graduate Faculty as appropriate and 2) one additional member of the Graduate Faculty from outside the Sociology program. After the final product is approved by the Committee and Committee Chair, a PDF of the project must be supplied to the Department Chair and the departmental secretary. The Department Chair will approve the research project after the PDF is submitted. It is the responsibility of the student to make the PDF and send it to the Department Chair and the department secretary.
7.	There will be an oral presentation of the Applied Research project in a professional forum that may include but is not limited to a professional meeting, a university lecture, or a community or agency presentation. If these opportunities are not available, the student will schedule a presentation in the Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work department. Faculty must be notified in advance of this presentation and invited to attend.

APPLIED RESEARCH PROGRAM SUMMARY

Students must participate in an orientation event (non-credit) during their first semester in the program.
Core Courses (SY 506, SY 508 and SY 509)	........................................................	9
Applied Sociology (SY 512)	........................................................	3
Internship (SY 596)	........................................................	3
Research Paper (SY 595)	.......................................................	3
Elective Courses	........................................................	18
Total Credit Hours	........................................................	36

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL SOCIOLOGY (SY) COURSES

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL ANTHROPOLOGY (AN) COURSES

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL SOCIAL WORK (SW) COURSES

College of Arts and Sciences