2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Social Sciences (Anthropology, History, IEP, Intl Studies, Social Work, Sociology)
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty:
Bever- Chair, Carmichael, Eldred, Eckhart,Fischer, Greer, Locher, Shriver, Stebbins, Wagner, and Wells-Lewis
Webster Hall 245 • 417-625-9565
The Social Sciences department consists of faculty, programs and courses in Anthropology, History, International English, International Studies, and Sociology. Please see these specific headings for more information about each program.
Anthropology (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Bever - Chair, Greer
Webster Hall • 417-625-9795
Mission
Anthropology is the story of humanity, our evolution in Africa, and subsequent movements across the planet. In addition, it addresses the range of human cultural variation, and the shared social and biological universals that together unite the species as a single whole. That holistic comparative approach is the hallmark of anthropology, which compliments the sister social and behavioral sciences, as well as the arts, humanities, foreign languages, natural sciences, economics, and health sciences.
The minor in Cultural Anthropology provides a solid introduction to the four sub-fields of the discipline, as well as its applied dimension, which addresses issues of international concern, such as development and human rights. The electives emphasize the role of culture as relating to specific regions and institutions, such as religion and globalization. A cultural anthropology minor complements majors in sociology, psychology, history, political science, foreign languages, communication, and international studies.
The Native American Students Association (NASA) is open to all students with an interest in the culture and heritage of Native North America, and provides social, educational, and service opportunities for its members.
For additional information contact:
Dr. Jill Greer • Webster Hall
417-625-9795 • greer-j@mssu.edu
History (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Bever - Chair, Fischer, Shriver, and Wagner
Webster Hall 241 • 417-625-9565
Mission
Preparing students for dynamic leadership and responsible citizenship is the mission of the Department of Social Sciences. The department provides students with the opportunity to cultivate critical thinking, communication and technological skills that will continue to be of value in the complex world of the 21st century. The faculty offers substantive instruction and intellectual challenge within the Social Sciences. The department emphasizes opportunities to engage in the international world in support of the University’s international mission. Finally, the Department of Social Sciences builds bridges to the local community through academic internships, public events, partnerships with local institutions and sponsorship of academic programs and events for students and teachers at local schools.
The Bachelor of Science in History prepares students for careers in public history such as museum curation, historic preservation, and archival management. This degree also prepares students for graduate programs in Public History, Museum Studies, and Library Science.
The Bachelor of Arts in History is recommended for students who are planning to enter law school or a graduate program in History. Both degrees prepare students for careers in business, government, and the non-profit sector.
The Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Social Studies-History certifies a student to enter professional teaching at the secondary level.
Certificate programs are available in Public History, Latin American Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Minors are available in History and American Studies.
Certain History courses meet different areas of the General Education/Core 42 requirements:
- HIST 0110 or HIST 0120 are options in area 1B Civic Engagement.
- HIST 0130 and HIST 0140 are options in area 5A Humanities and area 5C Global Competencies (course applies in one area only, 2 different prefixes for area 5A)
- HIST 0150 and HIST 0160 are options in area 5C Global Competencies.
- HIST 0180 is an option in area 1A Social & Behavioral Sciences and area 5C Global Competencies (course applies in one area only).
HIST 0130 or HIST 0140 is a prerequisite for all Upper Division European courses. HIST 0150 is a prerequisite for all Upper Division Asian History courses. HIST 0160 is a prerequisite for all Upper Division Latin American History courses.
Student Organizations
Pi Alpha Theta is the National Honor Society in history. Pi Alpha Theta recognizes academic excellence in the field and encourages its members to participate in the activities of its national organization. Locally, Pi Alpha Theta members share many activities with the History Club.
For additional information contact:
Dr. Megan Bever • Webster Hall 245
417-625-3026 • Bever-m@mssu.edu
Intensive English Program (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Carmichael - Director
Webster Hall 343 • 417-625-9573
Mission
The Intensive English Program (IEP) provides English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to international and resident students whose first language is not English. The IEP provides instruction to help students reach an academic level of English in order to obtain a university degree. This supports MSSU’s mission of a strong commitment to international education by enabling more international students to attend MSSU.
The English requirement for full admission to regular studies:
There is no minimum test score required for admission to English studies before a degree program.
Students holding an F-1 visa to study in the U.S. must be enrolled full-time in academic studies. Full time academic status is 12 or more credit hours; English study is 15 credit hours per semester.
Placement:
Students are given a Michigan English Placement Test (MEPT) upon arrival and at the end of every semester. There is no charge for the test. The MEPT is one test developed by the University of Michigan and is valid only at the institution where the test is given.
Courses:
Five levels of instruction are offered based on demand. Classes are taught in the following skill areas: Reading, Grammar, Composition, Speaking/Listening and Academic Skills. All classes must be passed with a 2.0 (C) to move to the next level. Courses may be repeated only one time if necessary.
Length of Study:
The time a student spends in the IEP depends on a variety of factors including personal motivation, study skills, the language commonly used outside the classroom, level of proficiency and ability. It is expected that students complete the IEP in a specific time, set when students enroll in courses after taking the initial MEPT or other language assessment test.
Nothing herein prohibits a student from enrollment in courses at a lower or higher level than these general scores suggest, if test sub scores indicate different work in a skill area (grammar, listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation) is more appropriate.
Disciplinary Policy
IEP Disciplinary policy conforms to the MSSU Academic Policies as stated in the catalog. Any IEP student falling below a GPA of 2.0 in any semester in his or her IEP course work will be placed on IEP academic probation. If the GPA is not raised to the minimum standard of progress during the probationary semester, the student is subject to academic suspension from the program.
A student receiving academic suspension may not return to the IEP for one semester and will not be re-enrolled if the student cannot present evidence that indicates a high probability of academic success.
Academic bankruptcy is not permitted in the IEP.
The Program
Students at all levels are required to enroll in a full load of IEP courses. Exchange Students at MSSU for a limited time and intending to complete their degree at another university may take IEP courses for transfer credit to their home institutions. Exchange students are governed by the exchange agreements under which they attend MSSU and must meet the language requirements of MSSU to be admitted to regular classes.
International students or second language English students in the regular academic program at MSSU who wish to take English support classes to help their academic studies may take up to 6 hours of IEP courses each semester.
Highlights of the IEP
- Students admitted to the IEP are considered official students at Missouri Southern State University with all the accompanying rights and privileges. Unless a student has met admission requirements to the University, however, they are not admitted thereby to a degree program.
- No minimum TOEFL or other proficiency test score is necessary to enroll in IEP classes, but scores on the Michigan Tests (MELICET and MPT) are used for placement in appropriate level courses.
- Small classes offer personal attention.
- Native English-speaking conversation partners and dormitory roommates are available.
- Conversation partners and IEP tutors allow students to progress at their own pace.
- Students participate in field trips to areas of cultural interest as well as planned social activities with neighboring colleges and universities.
Visit the IEP online at: http://www.mssu.edu/iep
For additional information contact:
Aaron Carmichael, Director
Intensive English Program
Webster Hall 343 • 417-625-9573
iep@mssu.edu
International Studies (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Bever - Chair, Stebbins - Director, Carmichael
Webster Hall 337A • 417-659-4442
Mission
It is the goal of Missouri Southern State University that all academic programs be enhanced through an emphasis on international education. To that end, the University has identified five goals:
- Graduates will have an understanding of how cultures and societies around the world are formed, sustained and evolve.
- Graduates will have empathy for the values and perspectives of cultures other than their own and an awareness of international and multicultural influences in their own lives.
- Graduates can identify and discuss international issues and cultures other than their own.
- Graduates have communicative competence in a second or third language.
- Graduates have experienced or desire to experience a culture other than their own.
Several activities have been designed and implemented to help make these goals possible. They include encouraging and supporting faculty to lead student groups abroad; providing grants for faculty to internationalize the curriculum; developing bilateral exchange agreements with universities in other countries; developing “themed” semesters featuring special course offerings, lectures and cultural events of a particular country or continent; increasing the number of foreign language course sections and course offerings; and offering Performing Aid Awards for students majoring or minoring in a foreign language.
The Institute of International Studies (IIS)is committed, through its leadership, in assisting global education to become more pervasive throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities of the University.
Finally, the Institute is committed to continual assessment of international programs and its mission to ensure that students develop not only an awareness of international problems but specific competencies needed in business, industry, government, education and other professional areas.
Study Abroad Programs
(Semester and Year-Long Opportunities)
Missouri Southern students have many exciting opportunities to study for a semester or year in other countries. The University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), through which MSSU students can study and earn credit at some 330 colleges and universities in 50 countries around the world. In addition, students may choose to participate in the Bilateral Exchange Program. The University has negotiated a number of departmental bilateral agreements with international institutions; these exchanges are usually specific to a student’s major. For semester or year-long exchanges, MSSU students studying abroad through most ISEP or Bilateral Exchange Programs pay regular MSSU tuition and similar room/board charges.
To participate in a long-term study abroad program, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (higher for some host institutions); be degree seeking and enrolled full time; intend to return to MSSU to graduate; and generally have completed 60 credit hours by the time of the exchange.
More information on study abroad programs is available on the Institute of International Studies website: http://www.mssu.edu/international-studies/
International Studies Major
The International Studies major has been replaced with the International & Political Affairs major, which includes multiple areas of emphasis. Students who are interested in international studies and studying another language are advised to major in IPA with an emphasis in Global Cultural Studies. Furthermore, it is recommended that those students pursue a certificate in and/or Global Citizenship.
Social Work (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Bever- Chair, Eldred Program Director, Eckhart
Mills-Anderson Justice Center 154 • 417-625-3144
Social Work is an autonomous[EJ1] program housed within the Social Sciences department. Social Work Program provides a learning environment where students are taught to think critically, participate actively in their education, and grow as individuals while respecting the rapidly changing global society. Experiences in classroom, campus, and community demonstrate how to implement anti-racist and anti-oppressive perspectives that directly impact social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Through competency development, students demonstrate best practice knowledge, values and skills to become effective change agents with individuals, families, groups and communities, and provide outstanding ethical leadership in the field.
More detailed information about the program and its admission requirements is available in the catalog under Social Work .
Sociology (Social Sciences)
Faculty:
Bever- Chair, Greer, Locher and Wells-Lewis
Webster Hall 245 • 417-625-9565
Mission
The primary mission of the Sociology Program is to prepare our students for dynamic leadership and responsible citizenship in their communities, their nation, and the world. The program also contributes to the broader mission of the University by providing students the opportunities to cultivate critical thinking, communication, and technological skills that will develop an awareness of and engagement with the complex social issues of the 21st century. The faculty seeks to offer substantive instruction and intellectual nurture in Sociology, and to assist the advancement of higher-order thinking students can apply to their own lives as individuals, professionals, and citizens. The program’s mission includes an emphasis on opportunities to engage the broader international world, consistent with the University’s international mission. Finally, the Sociology Program seeks to build bridges and avenues of communication between the University and the community, through academic internships, public events, and partnerships with local institutions, and the sponsorship of academic programs and events for local students and their teachers.
A Bachelor’s degree in Sociology prepares students for a variety of occupations and graduate programs. The student may select from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology. A Bachelor of Science in Education degree - Social Studies major, Sociology emphasis is also available, in conjunction with the Teacher Education program and certifies a student to teach on the secondary school level. Sociology graduates pursue many different careers, which include but are not limited to those in human and social services, human resources, business, or teaching. Advanced graduate or professional school training would also be a choice for the student who successfully completes one of our bachelor degrees.
A minor in sociology provides students majoring in other areas with specialized interpersonal, group, and organizational knowledge and skills.
Our department sponsors a variety of student organizations including the Sociology Club and Alpha Kappa Delta (the national honor society for sociology students).
For additional information contact:
Dr. Megan Bever
Webster Hall 245
417-625-3026 • Bever-m@mssu.edu
ProgramsApproved for the 2024-25 catalog
These exciting programs were approved after the deadline for the 2023-24 catlog but will appear in the 2024-25 edition.
Major Programs (Undergraduate)
Certificates (Undergraduate)
Minors (Undergraduate)
CoursesAnthropologyEnglish as Second LanguageHistoryInternational StudiesPage: 1
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