University
of Dayton
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Q: What
is sociology?
A: Sociology is concerned with the scientific
study of human behavior in groups. Since a group consists of two
or more communicating people, the subject matter of sociology ranges
from the briefest of two-person interactions to the most enduring
features of culture and world civilizations. The unique insight of
sociology is that we are what we are largely because of our social
experience with others as those experiences are shaped by our cultural
settings. Sociologists use various methodological and statistical
techniques to study, describe and explain human behavior in different
social settings.
Q: What
is anthropology?
A: Anthropology is the study of people at
all times and places. It emphasizes understanding total cultural
systems. The department sees understanding anthropology as vital
to understanding society. Although we do not offer a major in anthropology,
a variety of courses in anthropology are offered. A sociology major
can elect to concentrate in anthropology and can go on to graduate
school to become an anthropologist.
Q: What
is social work?
A: Social work is the profession of helping
individuals, families, groups or communities to enhance or restore
their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions
favorable to that goal. The department offers courses focusing on
families and individuals as well as policy-influencing or comparative
approaches to large-scale social change. Although no degree is available
in social work, students may choose to minor in this field and attend
graduate school to become practicing social workers.
Q: Should
I consider a minor in a related discipline?
A: Sociology is a good major to combine with
a minor in social work, anthropology, business, philosophy, or communication.
However, students can be creative. A minor area of study in almost
any discipline will combine well with sociology, which is about the
social world.
Q: What about getting a double major?
A: A number of sociology students get a second
major. An obvious choice is psychology, particularly if you are interested
in human behavior. Many students in criminal justice studies also declare
sociology as a primary or secondary major. Philosophy also combines
well with sociology. We have had a number of students combine sociology
with history. One enterprising student is getting dual degrees, combining
mechanical engineering and sociology.
Q: What
are some sociology careers?
A: Sociology majors find careers in a broad
spectrum of jobs, such as teaching, social service or law. Graduates
go on to pursue advanced degrees in sociology, law, psychology, and
social work.
Q: Can
I obtain a master's in social work with a B.A. in sociology?
A: Many
of our graduates go on to earn an M.S.W. and are currently practicing social
workers.
A significant number of students who attend M.S.W. programs
nationwide do not have a B.S.W. M.S.W. programs want their students to
succeed and the programs design the first year of study to educate the
students about the profession and theories. Sociology is an excellent
foundation for pursuing an M.S.W., because it offers a broad perspective
that can be applied across multiple populations in generalist social
work practice. The department’s social work field experience is
an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience, and is just one
way that sociology majors at UD can explore research, theory, diversity,
and collective action that will lead to a strong foundation for an M.S.W.
Q: What
do sociology majors study?
A: The sociology major takes a range of courses,
which can include the relationship between self and society, mass communication,
race and ethnic relations, immigration, political sociology, the relationship
between law and society, sociology of women, as well as required courses
in urban sociology, theory, research methods and data analysis. The
sociology curriculum at the University of Dayton also includes a solid
foundation of general education in the humanities, arts, social sciences,
and a creative integrated science sequence which incorporates elements
of all the social sciences. It is a challenging but rewarding program,
which develops students’ critical thinking and writing skills.
Since sociology is one of the traditional social sciences, students
learn to formulate research questions, collect and analyze both quantitative
and qualitative data and clearly present research results.
Q: What
are the objectives of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work?
A: The primary objective of the DSASW is to
assist its students in developing the skills necessary for a career,
social service, or for advanced study. The students in this program
learn sociology and how to function as a sociologist in the department’s
capstone senior seminar. By the time they graduate, they learn to think
as a sociologist. At UD, the sociology major can become involved in
undergraduate research. There are also numerous service-learning and
internship experiences that allow undergraduate students to test their
career commitment at an early stage in their academic development.
Faculty members work closely with students and encourage them to present
their work in a variety of formats. The sociology major at UD not only
gains valuable social science knowledge and perspective, but invaluable
applied experience, and a greater insight on what it means to be human
in contemporary society.
Q: What
is the best feature of the department?
A: A hallmark of the department is the students
collegial relationships with faculty members. Students comment on the
openness and accessibility of the departmental faculty. Although there
are quite a few sociology majors, students feel that we are a "small" department.
We have the opportunities of a large department with the interpersonal
accessibility of a small, liberal arts college.
Q: What
is the relationship between students and faculty members?
A: In the Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work at UD, the student-to-faculty ratio is approximately
7 to 1. This ratio allows for much student-faculty interaction. Faculty
members know majors, because they frequently work with them closely
on projects and assignments. This allows for excellent mentoring of
our students. The chairperson is officially the students' incoming
adviser, but after their first year, students are assigned to a departmental
adviser for the remainder of their time. However, informal advising
takes place in a variety of contexts from halls, faculty offices, and
before and after classes, and sometimes even in the KU dining rooms.
Q: What
kind of student studies sociology at the University of Dayton?
A: Many students in the College take introductory
sociology and upper-level sociology courses to complete their social
science breadth requirements. Currently, there are about 100 sociology
majors, with between 15 and 20 students graduating per year. Most sociology
majors decide to become majors after coming to the University and taking
a sociology course or two. Our majors are interested in helping people
and exhibit a curiosity about the social world. A number of our majors
are part of the University Honors and Scholars Program.
Q: Will
I have opportunities for research?
A: Because of the relatively small size of the
department, close proximity to modern sociological, anthropological,
and social work research is available to any student. Also, the Dayton
area serves as an excellent "laboratory" for sociology students.
There are many opportunities for students to go out into the urban
setting to explore a variety of research methods, through field studies,
internships and senior projects. The unified theme of the department
is community, thus there are many opportunities for sociology students
to work beyond the classroom walls.