Social Science

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Janet Bennion, Professor (Sociology and Anthropology)
Paul Searls, Associate Professor (History)
Alexandre Strokanov, Professor (History)
Brandon Stroup, Assistant Professor (Social Science/Criminal Justice)

B.S. Criminal Justice
B.A. Social Science
-Social Science Concentration
-Global Studies Concentration
-History Concentration

Licensure in Secondary Social Studies Education (See Secondary Education)
Minors: History, Political Science, Anthropology/Sociology, and Criminal Justice

Program Mission Statement

The Social Science program is designed to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of human nature. It seeks to educate students to be knowledgeable about their society and the world and to be able to think critically about the human condition. The department offers courses in anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology. It supports the college’s mission of equipping students to respond to the challenges of an evolving society and to advance the quality of life in a diverse global community. The department contributes to both the social science and humanities divisions of the college’s general education program and focuses on experiential learning.

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Social Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Students may also elect a Social Science concentration within the Liberal Studies major. The department prepares students enrolled in the elementary and secondary education programs with knowledge, skills, and values they will need to teach social studies. It also prepares students to pursue further study and to continue their interest in the field.

Social Science Program Goals/Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the major of Social Science will be able to: 

1. utilize disciplinary concepts, knowledge, and tools of the social sciences to analyze social phenomena of the past or present that reflect an understanding of the factors that influence human social behavior; conduct an original research based on history and social science research methodologies, and write a senior thesis that conforms to the standards of the discipline(s);
2. present research findings clearly and accurately in the form of an oral presentation with use of appropriate visualization of presented material;
3. acquire skills and behaviors necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the professional world (internships, community involvement projects, etc.);
4. demonstrate a critical understanding of cultural phenomena.  Students will achieve one of the following:
   - travel outside the U.S. during the four years at Lyndon with educational purpose
   - learn one foreign language (minimum two semesters)
   - write an essay focusing on the role of social factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, religion, history and the global economy in   shaping cultural reality in the world today.
    

Graduation Requirements for all Social Science majors:

• a senior thesis research project (approximately 25 to 40 pages), initiated in SSC3020 and SSC4740 and finalized in SSC4720, scored by two department faculty thesis mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads) using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
• a 10-to-15 minute oral defense of thesis, scored by four department faculty mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads) using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
• a collaborative statement about acquired skills and behaviors necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the professional world, signed by supervisor, scored by department faculty advisors using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
• an outgoing senior survey, filled out by the senior after the thesis presentation on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads), analyzed by department Chair and stored in the student’s portfolio.

Graduates of the major of Criminal Justice will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of behavioral science theory, case law, empirical findings, and basic structures involved with law enforcement, the criminal court system, and corrections, including the causes of crime, deviance, and delinquency;
2. utilize basic social science research methods in criminal justice and criminology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation;
3. experience fieldwork related to their pursuit of careers and undergraduate study in the field of criminal justice;
4. demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving;
5. demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills within a liberal arts foundation to better prepare them for any career in criminal justice or graduate school.

Graduation Requirements for all Criminal Justice majors:

• a senior thesis research project (approximately 20 - 40 pages).
• a 10-to-15 minute oral defense of thesis.
• completion of a professional internship in the field of criminal justice.
• a collaborative statement about acquired skills and behaviors necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the professional world.

Program Assessment

The Social Science Department assesses its program goals in a variety of ways, including evaluation of student work in all courses, a senior thesis or capstone, an oral presentation of the senior thesis, and a senior survey.  The department evaluates course syllabi to ensure that learning outcomes are clearly reflected in the department’s courses and that students are exposed to experiences that advance the program’s goals as they progress through the programs.

Return to: General Education and Degree Program Information