Social Sciences Division
CONTACT PERSON
Interim Chair: Christopher K. Riggs, PhD
Division Office: SPH 101A 792-2291
Fax: 792-2571
Web:
http://www.lcsc.edu/socialsciences
Social Work Office: SPH 101
Web:
http://www.lcsc.edu/socialwork
Phone: 792-2866
Fax: 792-2571
FACULTY
• Chris Ahlman, PhD, CDA,
rcahlman@lcsc.edu 208-292-2681: Social Work
• Diana Ames,
MA, SPH 100, dames@lcsc.edu
792-2478: Anthropology
• Brian Christenson, MSW, PhD SPH 278,
blchristenson@lcsc.edu
792-2476: Social Work
• Amy Canfield, PhD, SPH 306,
aecanfield@lcsc.edu
792-2362
• Rhett Diessner, EdD, SPH 212,
diessner@lcsc.edu
792-2338: Psychology
• Eleanor Downey, MSW, PhD SPH 274,
epdowney@lcsc.edu
792-2266: Social Work Director
• Laura Earles, SPH 216,
leearles@lcsc.edu
792-2340: Social Science
• Cheryl Jurgens, MSW, SPH
277, crjurgens@lcsc.edu
792-2073: Social Work
• Deb Lish, PhD, CDA
delish@lcsc.edu, 666-6707:
Social Science
• J. Kelli Loftus, MSW, SPH 107
jkloftus@lcsc.edu
792-2132: Social Work
• Eric L.
Martin, PhD, SPH 310A, 792-2281,
elmartin@lcsc.edu,
History
• Dan Mayton, PhD, SPH 213F
dmayton@lcsc.edu 792-2280:
Psychology
• Heidee McMillin, PhD, CDA,
hemcmillin@lcsc.edu
208-292-2680: Justice Studies
• Leanne Parker, PhD SPH 271
lparker@lcsc.edu 792-2854:
Psychology
• Jocelyn Parkhurst, PhD, SPH 304
jmparkhurst@lcsc.edu
792-2209: Political Science
• Kateria Ray, MSW, CDA
kpray@lcsc.edu,
208-292-2682: Social Work
• Gary Reed, PhD, SPH 211,
gereed@lcsc.edu 792-2794:
Justice Studies
• Christopher K. Riggs, PhD, SPH 303
ckriggs@lcsc.edu 792-2264:
History, Social Science Coordinator
• Teri Rust, PhD, SPH 273
trust@lcsc.edu 792-2276:
Psychology
• J.R. Seaman, PhD, CDA,
jrseaman@lcsc.edu,
666-6707: Social Work
• Gene Straughan, PhD, SPH 216,
gstraughn@lcsc.edu
792-2821: Justice Studies, Pre-Law, Justice Studies Director
• Heath Walters, MSW, SPH
109 hbwalters@lcsc.edu
792-2818: Social Work
• Angela Wartel, MPA, SPH 310,
arwartel@lcsc.edu 792-2851:
Justice Studies
OVERVIEW
The Division offers six baccalaureate majors and two associate
majors: The baccalaureate majors are: General Studies,
Interdisciplinary Studies, Justice Studies, Psychology, Social
Work and Social Science with emphases in History, Political
Science, Sociology, and Anthropology. The Associate of Arts
degrees are: Behavioral Science and Liberal Arts: Social
Science.
All the majors in the Social Sciences Division
provide preparation for a variety of careers, and/or graduate
school. In addition, the Social Science major, when taken as
part of an integrated secondary education program, prepares
students for professional teaching. The Justice Studies major
includes concentrations in Criminal Justice and/or Corrections
and Human Services. The Psychology major is for students who
wish to pursue graduate study in the discipline, or those who
seek careers in human services and community
agencies. The
Bachelor of Social Work program’s focus on the
“Person-In-Environment” paradigm uniquely equips baccalaureate
social workers to work effectively with individuals, families,
groups, communities and organizations.
The Social
Sciences Division lends vital support to the College through its
participation in the General Education Core. All students are
required to complete nine Social Science credits as part of
Core, and the Division provides a variety of courses for
fulfilling this requirement.
The Social Sciences Division
is committed to equal opportunity for all students. Policies and
practices throughout the program specifically prohibit
discrimination based on, but not limited to, race, color, sex,
sexual orientation, age, religion, disablement, national origin,
marital status, and political belief.
SPECIAL ACCREDITATION
Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education.
MAJORS AND MINORS OFFERED
BACCALAUREATE DEGREES
GENERAL STUDIES: SOCIAL SCIENCES
The General Studies major serves a number of student’s needs:
for strong liberal arts programs; for thorough pre-professional
coursework; as preparation for many graduate programs. See the
Academic Programs section for additional information on this
major.
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
The Interdisciplinary Studies major allows students to design a
course of study to satisfy personal and career goals. Students
interested in an academic area within the Interdisciplinary
option MUST contact the Division office of the discipline they
intend to pursue as their primary area of study. See the
Academic Programs section for additional information on this
major.
JUSTICE STUDIES
The Justice Studies major provides students with professional
education that prepares them for a variety of careers in
federal, state, and local criminal justice and human service
agencies. The curriculum is strongly oriented to the social and
behavioral sciences. As a part of the commitment to developing a
professionally oriented student, field training placements in
criminal justice agencies are available.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is involved in the scientific study of the mind and
behavior. Psychologists, using the scientific method, discover
and create knowledge about human beings as well as help better
the human condition through psychological services.
Psychologists pursue their research and human services in
clinics, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, businesses,
and military and government agencies as well as a variety of
other health and social services organizations.
The set
of required courses in the Psychology major is congruent with
guidelines of the American Psychological Association. While most
sub-disciplines in the field of psychology are included in the
program of study, developmental psychology, social psychology,
and counseling/clinical psychology receive particular emphasis
as bases for graduate study.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
The
Social Sciences major integrates four Social Science emphases
(Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology) into a
comprehensive program designed to enhance students’
understanding of the world of the past, present and future
through the application of social scientific research skills to
domestic, regional and global problems, as well as issues of
diversity. The major provides practical insights into why and
how the world(s) we live in work the way they do. Students
interested in graduate school receive suitable grounding in a
specific Social Science emphasis. When taken as part of an
integrated Secondary Education program, the major trains
students for professional teaching.
The Social Sciences
major can prepare students for careers not only in teaching but
also law, politics, journalism, historical preservation,
cultural resource management, or for running their own business
and anything involving finding and understanding new information
(research). The major’s focus on independent learning provides
opportunity for students to prepare for a wide variety of
leadership positions in community and business.
SOCIAL WORK
The Social Work program prepares students for
entry-level generalist practice. Through courses, internships,
research projects, and student activities delivered by
traditional and non-traditional methods (technology), the
program fosters in its students a celebration of differences
among people and a belief that respecting these differences
enriches the quality of life for all. The Division is committed
to the preparation of professional social workers who possess
the knowledge, skills, and values to address the needs and
potential of individuals, families, groups, communities, and
organizations. Drawing on an ecological and liberal arts based
background and a strengths based perspective, the program
prepares students for the pursuit of a more just, humane
society. Graduates are prepared for practice particularly with
the oppressed and at risk members of society. Graduates are
expected to practice from a set of ethical principles inherent
in the social work profession, including the recognition that
professional development is a lifelong learning process.
LCSC offers the only accredited BSW program in northern Idaho.
Program graduates are needed to work with children, families,
and underserved or populations at risk including handicapped,
mentally disabled, economically deprived, delinquent, elderly,
or health impaired.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
After declaring a Social Work major, students may apply for
admission to the BSW program upon completion of 21 core credits
as well as SW 140, SW 226 and SW 241. The application packet is
available to students on line at
www.lcsc.edu/socialwork
SOCIAL SCIENCE: SECONDARY EDUCATION
See Education Division
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
This Associate in Arts degree is designed for normal completion
in two years. It has a two-fold purpose: First, it provides
coursework and field placement experience in human services for
persons who may want to enter this field of work at the
paraprofessional level. Second, it provides a solid general
education experience and can serve to enhance career mobility,
to be the foundation for a baccalaureate program, or to prepare
the student who wants to transfer to another institution. The
program is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of
human behavior and cuts across several academic and professional
fields. An advisor works with each student to assist him/her in
course selection and evaluation of career opportunities.
LIBERAL ARTS: SOCIAL
SCIENCES
This Associate in Arts degree focuses on Social Sciences. The
Social Sciences emphasis gives students an introduction to the
breadth of disciplines in the Social Sciences by requiring
course work in three different Social Science disciplines.
MINORS
The ten minors available in the Social Sciences Division are
designed to enrich, complement, and/or supplement the formal
education of student’s major. They are not solely, or even
primarily, for Social Science majors. Those interested in
acquiring a minor for teacher certification should first consult
with their academic advisor and the Education Division.
•
Behavioral Science
• Global Perspective
• History
•
Justice Studies
• Native American Studies
• Political
Science
• Political Psychology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Sciences
ASSESSMENT
In order to obtain regular feedback on program excellence, the
Division requires that all graduating seniors participate in a
graduate assessment that includes:
• Senior research project and presentation
including a capstone experience with quantitative or qualitative
research.
• Area Concentration Achievement Tests (ACATs) for
Social Work Justice Studies, and Psychology graduating seniors.
• The graduate follow-up survey.EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
In the Social Science major:
1. The ability to think critically about major issues relating
to justice studies.
2. An understanding of human behavior,
social control, cultural differences, and concerns for minority
groups with regard to criminal justice.
3. Proficiency in the
use of verbal and written communication skills.
4. Basic
competencies in conceptualizing, conducting, interpreting, and
evaluating research in the field of criminal justice.
5. An
understanding of criminal and juvenile justice, criminology, law
enforcement, adjudication, and corrections.
6. First-hand
experience in the theoretical and practical applications of
justice studies.
In the Psychology major:
Students completing the Psychology major will be able to
demonstrate skills and knowledge related to:
1. A variety of
research methodologies
2. Biological bases of behavior
3. Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
4. Social bases of
behavior
5. Developmental theories
6. Individual
differences
7. Preparation for graduate school or employment
Students who major in Psychology need to be aware that some
elective psychology courses may require a discussion or
disclosure of personal information, such as relationships with
parents or significant others. This also includes courses
students must take for the Addiction Studies minor.
In the Psychology major:
Students completing the psychology major will be able to
demonstrate skills and knowledge related to:
1. A variety of research methodologies
2. Biological bases of behavior
3. Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
4. Social bases of behavior
5. Developmental theories
6. Individual differences
7. Preparation for graduate school or employment
Students who major in Psychology need to be aware that some
elective psychology courses may require a discussion or
disclosure of personal information, such as relationships
with parents or significant others. This also includes
courses students must take for the Addiction Studies minor.
In the Social Science major:
1. The ability to perform a social scientific research inquiry.
2. The ability to think analytically about social phenomena.
3. The ability to use relevant theoretical and conceptual
categories.
4. The ability to comprehend written works of
social science through summarizing their major points and lines
of argument.
5. The ability to make a written presentation in
a clear, concise, and organized manner.
6. The ability to
make an oral presentation in a clear, concise, and organized
manner.
7. Command of basic knowledge relevant to a social
science discipline.
8. The capacity to apply social
scientific reasoning to appropriate social phenomena.
9. The
ability to discern and evaluate relevant evidence bearing on a
social scientific argument.
10. The ability to discern and
evaluate relevant qualitative evidence bearing on a social
science argument.
11. Familiarity with some of the main ideas
of the history of social thought.
12. Mastery of a relevant
lexicon of social scientific terms.
13. A comprehension of
the social origins of the diversity of human behavior, thought
and emotion.
In the Social Work major:
1. Provide learning
experiences and opportunities in a variety of settings that
develop generalist practice social work knowledge and skills
needed to achieve BSW career objectives and meet client needs.
2. Educate students on the ethical foundation of social work as
stated in the NASW Code of Ethics where self reflection of one’s
own values and the understanding of how they influence
relationships is emphasized.
3. Teach generalist practice
social work knowledge and skills that prepare students to
enhance human well-being and alleviate poverty, oppression, and
other forms of social injustice through an understanding of
social work history, social welfare policy analysis and
development, advocacy, resource development, and other social or
political actions that promote social and economic justice.
4. Teach generalist practice social work knowledge and skills
that prepare students to enhance the social functioning and
interactions of individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities by involving them in accomplishing goals,
developing resources, and preventing and alleviating distress
while relying on a liberal arts foundation.
5. Engage and
require students to develop, use, and critique research for
evaluating practice and adding to the knowledge base of the
profession.
6. Ensure students have learned to develop and
apply assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills
differentially based on diversity with a strengths-based
perspective from an ecological point of view.
7. Encourage
students to understand the ethical requirement of commitment to
life long learning.
SPECIAL FEES
SW 497A - Liability insurance for social work practicum
SW 499A - Assessment test fees for social work graduates
ADVISING
Students must make appointments with their advisors, who will
help them with course schedules, as well as planning their
educational and post graduate careers. Only an advisor may
approve the student’s schedule for Web registration.
CLUBS
• Native American Club
• Political Forum
• Pre-Law Club
• Gay Straight Alliance
• Mock Trial Program
• Psychology Club
• Student Organization of Social Work
• College Democrats
PREPARATION FOR FUTURE
GRADUATE STUDIES
A degree in any of the Social Science majors provides an
excellent foundation for future graduate studies.
