Social Sciences Division
CONTACT PERSON
Chair: Bill Clouser, PhD
Division Office: SPH 101A 792-2291
Fax: 792-2571
Web:
http://www.lcsc.edu/socialsciences
Social Work Office: SPH 107
Web:
http://www.lcsc.edu/socialwork
Phone: 792-2866
Fax: 792-2571
FACULTY
Chris Ahlman, PhD, CDA,
rcahlman@lcsc.edu 666-6707: 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
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
Cheryl Jurgens, MSW, SPH 277,
crjurgens@lcsc.edu
792-2073: Social Work
Angela Karn, MPA, SPH 310,
arkarn@lcsc.edu 792-2851: Justice Studies
Deb Lish, PhD, CDA
delish@lcsc.edu, 666-6707: Social Science
J. Kelli Loftus, MSW, SPH 109
jkloftus@lcsc.edu
792-2132: Social Work
Alan Marshall, PhD, SPH 215,
amarshal@lcsc.edu
792-2348: Anthropology, Social Sciences Coordinator
Eric L. Martin, PhD, SPH 310A, 792-2281,
elmartin@lcsc.edu,
History
Dan Mayton, PhD, SPH 213F
dmayton@lcsc.edu 792-2280: Psychology
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, 666-6707: Social Work
Gary Reed, PhD, SPH 211,
gereed@lcsc.edu 792-2794: Justice Studies
Christopher K. Riggs, PhD, SPH 306
ckriggs@lcsc.edu 792-2264:
History
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
Heath Walters, MSW, SPH 101
hbwalters@lcsc.edu
792-2818: Social Work
OVERVIEW
The division offers four baccalaureate majors and two associate
degrees: The baccalaureate majors offered through the division
are: General Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Justice
Studies, Psychology, Social Work and Social Science with
concentrations available in History, Political Science,
Sociology, and Anthropology and Associate of Arts degrees in
Behavioral Science and Liberal Arts: Social Science are also
offered through the division.
All the majors in the Social Sciences Division provide a sound
and balanced 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
Corrections/Human Services. The Psychology major is designed for
students who wish to pursue graduate study in the discipline, or
those who seek careers in human services, community agencies,
and chemical dependency counseling. The Bachelor of Social Work
programs 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 their 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
JUSTICE STUDIES
The Justice Studies major is designed to provide students with a
professional education that will prepare 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.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
The Social Science major integrates the social sciences into a
comprehensive program designed to enhance social scientific
research skills as they are applied to domestic, regional, and
global issues, and issues of diversity. The major, when taken as
part of an integrated secondary education program, is designed
to prepare students for professional teaching.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is a social science discipline 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 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. We are 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 life-long
learning process.
LCSC offers the only accredited BSW 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
GENERAL STUDIES: SOCIAL SCIENCES
The General Studies major serves a number of students 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.
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
This program 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. By
introducing field experience (practicum) placement at the
sophomore level, students have sufficient time to assess their
choice of agency and careers early in their educational
experience and make needed changes in their course selections
and career goals. An advisor works with each student to assist
him/her in course selection and evaluation of career
opportunities.
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS LIBERAL ARTS: SOCIAL
SCIENCES
This program is designed for students who want a two year degree
in Liberal Arts that 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 nine minors available in the Social Sciences Division are
designed to enrich, complement, and/or supplement the formal
education of students 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
ASSESSMENT
In order to obtain regular feedback on program excellence, the
division requires that all graduating seniors participate in a
graduate assessment that includes:
a. Senior research project and presentation. All Division
majors will complete a capstone experience that includes
quantitative or qualitative research.
b. Area Concentration Achievement Tests (ACATs) for
Social Work Justice Studies, and Psychology graduating seniors.
c. The graduate follow-up survey.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
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 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 chemical dependency minor.
In the Social Work major:
1. To gain 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. Knowledge of the ethical foundation of social work as
stated in the NASW Code of Ethics where self reflection of ones
own values and the understanding of how they influence
relationships are emphasized.
3. To understand generalist practice social work
knowledge and skills that prepare students to enhance human
wellbeing 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. On a liberal arts foundation, understand 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.
5. Engage and develop, use and critique research for
evaluating practice and adding to knowledge base of the
profession.
6. Learn 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. Understand the ethical requirement of commitment to
life long learning.
In the Justice Studies 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.
SPECIAL FEES
PSYC 494 Background check
PSYC 495 Background check
SW 495A 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 students schedule for Web registration.
CLUBS
Native American Club
Political Forum
Pre-Law Club
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.
