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Department of Sociology

College of Arts and Sciences

McReynolds, Samuel A. (Chair)
Ph.D., Cornell University - Rural Sociology; M.A., University of Vermont-History; B.A., University of Virginia-Government and History.		   Associate Professor
     
Campbell, Alex
Ph.D., M.Phil., University of Cambridge-Criminology; B.A., York St. John-Cultural Studies.		   Assistant Professor
     
See, Joel
Ph.D., M.A., Florida State University-Sociology; B.A., St. John's University-Sociology/Psychology.		   Professor

Mission Statement

The Department of Sociology offers students a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on group, social, and community dynamics to understanding human behavior. The faculty are committed to the integration of psychological, and anthropological as well as sociological perspectives, and the curriculum is a reflection of this integration. Students are thus exposed to a combination of theoretical, scientific, and practical approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture are emphasized in courses throughout the curriculum. As a result of required course work and internship experiences, the department graduates students with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate study in related areas.

Sociology Major

The major in sociology will provide the student with a broad-base exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. The student will also receive extensive interdisciplinary work in the fields of anthropology and psychology. These strong academic foundations will prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Students from this major may choose to continue their education in a wide range of fields including, sociology, social work, law, economics, and environmental studies. Or, they may go directly to work in areas dealing with social deviance and other areas of social service.

In addition to the more traditional approaches to sociology, there are two unique elements to this program. First, students will complete an internship. This will help students explore experiential learning, applications of sociology to the real world, and undertake career explorations. Second, students will participate in a semester-long applied sociology experience. With this experience a student can choose to study abroad, study with the SALT documentary field studies program in Maine, work in a social service agency, or complete an intensive research project.

Overall, this program will provide students with a strong foundation for understanding today's social issues and problems. The student will also have a wide range of skills and experiences that will enhance their future educational and career opportunities as well as encourage them to be a more active and aware citizen.

Course Descriptions
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

  Program/Degree Area

Credits

 
     
  University Core Requirements  
42-43
  
  Sociology Core  
21
  
  SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology  
3
  
  SOC 225 - Statistics for Social and Behavioral Science  
3
  
  SOC 270 - Classical Social Theory  
3
  
  SOC 280 - Contemporary Social Theory  
3
  
  SOC 285 - Research Methods  
3
  
  SOC 300 - Internship  
3
  
  SOC 370 - Applied Field Methods in Sociology  
3
  
         
  Sociology Electives  
9
  
  Elective 1 - Social Global Studies Course  
3
  
  Elective 2 - Social Cultural Studies Course  
3
  
  Elective 3 - 300 or 400 level elective  
3
  
         
  Applied Sociological Experience  
 
  Option 1 - Study Abroad (Choose One)  
9-16
  
  A. Mexico  
 
  B. Central America  
 
  C. Namibia/South Africa  
 
         
  Option 2 - SALT Institute (Includes all the following)  
16
  
  A. Approaches to Fieldwork: Social Sciences, Documentary and the Research Process      
  B. Independent Field Research.      
  C. Field Techniques      
  D. Advanced Documentary Skills Courses      
         
  Option 3 - Internship   9-16  
         
  Option 4 - Capstone Thesis   9-16  
  Total Credits in Major   39-46  
     
 
  Elective Credit Sufficient for Minimum Total  
120
  

Note: Requirements for the major may change slightly over time. All students should check with their advisors for the most up-to-date list of courses required.

The UNE Undergraduate Experience at SALT

The Undergraduate Program at Salt can be thought of as a domestic "study abroad" program. Like semester programs in other countries, the Salt semester serves to complement an undergraduate's campus-based education. It does so by providing the opportunity to spend a semester of study actively engaged in field research and the opportunity to focus for that semester on one of three mediums of documentary expression: nonfiction writing, documentary photography, or documentary radio. The undergraduate program operates within the framework of Salt's graduate program, at a level that allows advanced, qualified undergraduate level students the chance to participate successfully.

Most undergraduates enroll in their junior or senior year at college. They request a range of majors - English, photography, art, sociology, anthropology, history, journalism. Students are able to build significantly upon and extend their campus studies with single-minded focus, undistracted by courses they might otherwise be required to take. For anthropology and sociology majors, the Salt semester represents the chance to test and challenge their classroom studies with extended fieldwork. For English, photography, and art majors, the Salt semester serves to provide an extended practice of heightening one's craft pushed by the twin demands and publication. For journalism majors, the Salt semester offers an expansion of standard journalism models, allowing students to employ literary and social sciences techniques in an extended study. For other majors, the Salt semester is an opportunity to explore the practical world of oral history and documentary studies.

Sixteen undergraduate credits are earned in the Salt semester. They are awarded directly by the University of New England. Three interdisciplinary courses are taken simultaneously. All are aimed at taking students successfully through the steps of collecting field materials and shaping them as documentary work.

  1. Approaches and Issues in Documentary Studies - This course introduces students to the central techniques and issues of documentary fieldwork. Students will acquire these skills and the associated critical perspective through attending lectures, critically reading a selection of sociology articles and books, viewing films, participating in class discussions, engaging in field exercises, and writing a mid-stream paper. Students explore the intellectual and moral challenges posed by the research relationship as they learn the basic techniques of collecting and interpreting information; focused participant observation; in-depth interviewing, and assessment of the meanings of local environment (material and natural cultures). The course will also explore ways through which documentaries can strengthen their research skill conceptually; these involve developing bibliographic search and evaluation skills, and utilizing comparison as a technique for enriching the case study method.
     
  2. Independent Field Research - In consultation with faculty, students develop their own research topic early in the semester based upon their interests and the viability of pursuing this topic in the context of Maine social life. Students are expected to enter the field as research teams and research their topics through the methodologies of oral history, participant observation, documentary photography, and documentary radio. Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior with their subjects in the field and develop a solid, collaborative working relationship with their research partner throughout all phases of the project. Students present the status of their field research on a weekly basis and discuss their goals and challenges with fellow students and faculty. The Field Research course is fundamentally integrated with the Advanced Documentary Skills course which culminates with final projects that are specific to each of the three tracks of writing, photography, and radio.
     
  3. Field Techniques - Students learn the practical technical skills they need to be effective in collecting field materials. Critical analysis of field technique, the collection of radio quality sound, cross-disciplinary analysis of successful interviewing techniques and archival processes are stressed.
     
  4. Advanced Documentary Skills - Students enroll in one of the following three tracks in Advanced Documentary Skills:
     
  a. Documentary Radio: Telling Stories with Sound - Through a variety of hands on applications, students involved with the radio course at Salt learn an assortment of radio production skills: field recording, interviewing technique, writing for radio, digital audio production, and more. During the semester, students listen to many professional productions to develop critical listening skills. Students produce a vox pop (man on the street) and three features, two of which are thematically related. Graduates of the radio program leave Salt with a CD portfolio of their work and a comprehensive understanding of how to tell stories with sound.
     
  b. Advanced Non-Fiction Writing and Editing - Using Maine subjects, students practice a genre called the "literature of fact" by one of its masters, John McPhee. Combining techniques of field collection and literary interpretation of real subjects, writers create stories about the everyday fabric of life and events through careful observation and listening. Structure, voice, organization, depth of material, redrafting and editing skills are highly emphasized. Students are expected to produce a finished article of publishable quality involving Maine people and places based on their independent field research. This article is submitted to the Salt Magazine and the Salt website for review. A select few will be published. All students must also glean their article for an excerpt that will accompany photographs in a student exhibit in the Salt Gallery.
     
  c. Advanced Documentary Photography - Students who have mastered basic photographic and darkroom skills are challenged to move towards meaningful documentary, in-depth coverage of their subject matter. They work to acquire both techniques and a sensibility to subjects in their environment. Each student is expected to complete two major photographic narratives. At least one of these projects is completed in partnership with a writer and/or a radio documentation; the second narrative is either completed independently or in another partnership upon the level of the photographer. These photo-essays are primarily visual bodies of work with captions or other explanatory materials. Students also are expected to produce a portfolio of work completed at Salt that demonstrates significant growth over work submitted for admission.

Minor in Sociology

Sociology Minor

  1. SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology
  2. Three 3-credit sociology courses at the 200 level or higher
  3. One 3-credit sociology course at the 300 level or higher
  4. One 3-credit sociology course at any level of the student's choosing.
  Other courses may be substituted at the discretion of the faculty.


Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Relations

Psychology and Social Relations Major

The bachelor of arts in psychology and social relations (PSR) is a unique integration of course work from psychology, sociology, and anthropology. It emphasizes methods, the human life span, global perspectives, and student initiative in program development. This major prepares students for entry-level positions in the mental health and human services field, or for graduate study in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, and related fields.

Upon acceptance to the University, students are provisionally admitted as a major in psychology and social relations. Upon completion of 60 credit hours (approximately the end of the second year of full-time work), student progress is evaluated by department faculty. A grade point average of 2.75 in major courses is necessary in order to be fully admitted as psychology and social relations majors. PSR majors must complete Statistics (MAT 120) before the beginning of the second year. Psychology Statistics (PSY 225) must be completed before the end of the second year.

All students in the PSR major must complete the University of New England Core Curriculum (this is described elsewhere in this catalog). Majors must also complete a core of courses in psychology and sociology. These are designed to develop basic research and thinking skills as well as to expose students to critical areas within the disciplines.

All students must complete two internship experiences for a total of six credits. Three credits of internship are taken within the core and three credits of internship are taken within the student's selected area of specialization. Internships are ordinarily taken in the third and fourth years. The first internship helps the student to learn experientially. It also gives them a chance to explore areas of professional, personal or academic interest in an applied setting. The second internship is completed in a setting related to the student's career or graduate study plans.

In addition to the University and major core curricula, PSR students must complete an additional three psychology courses and three sociology courses at the 200 level or above. The courses are selected in conjunction with the students advisor to determine the best sequence to reach specific academic and professional proficiencies.

Course Descriptions
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Relations

  Program/Degree Area

Credits

 
     
  University Core Requirements  
42-43
  
  Psychology and Social Relations Core  
39
  
         
  ANT 102 - Cultural Anthropology  
3
  
  PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology  
3
  
  PSY 205 - Abnormal Psychology  
3
  
  PSY 225 - Psychology Statistics or SOC 225 - Statistics for Social and Behavioral Science  
3
  
  PSY 255 - Social Psychology  
3
  
  PSY 285 - Research Methods  
3
  
  PSY/SOC 300 - Internship  
3
  
  PSY 355 - History and Systems  
3
  
  PSY/SOC 495 - Internship  
3
  
  SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology  
3
  
  SOC 270 - Classical Sociological Theory or SOC 280 - Contemporary Sociological Theory  
3
  
  SOC 350 - Deviance  
3
  
  SOC 355 - Qualitative Social Methods  
3
  
         
  Major Electives  
9
  
  One course of Psychology at the 200 level or above  
3
  
  One Sociology course from each of the following areas:      
  SOC Elective 1: Social Global Studies Course  
3
  
  SOC Elective 2: Social Cultural Studies Course  
3
  
         
  Total Credits in PSR Major  
48
  
     
 
  Elective Credit Sufficient for Minimum Total  
120
  

Psychology and Social Relations Minor
Total Credits 18
Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, two additional psychology courses, not including PSY 220, 270, 225, 285 or 300, and two additional sociology courses at the 200 level or higher, not including SOC 300.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.

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