Sociology and Rural Studies (ANTH, SOC, CJUS)

Sociology and Rural Studies

Donald Arwood, Acting Head
Department of Sociology and Rural Studies
Scobey Hall 224
605-688-4132
e-mail: Donald.Arwood@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor Arwood, Acting Head; Professors Arwood, Kayongo-Male, Redlin, Stover; Distinguished Regental Professor Emeritus R. Wagner; Professor Emeriti Hess, Mendelsohn, Satterlee; Associate Professor Emeritus Grant; Assistant Professors Aschenbrener, Froelich, O’Neil; Instructor McCurry.

Programs

The courses offered by the Department have been organized with two objectives in mind: (1) a sequence for those who may wish to earn an undergraduate major or minor in sociology; and (2) basic service courses that will be of interest and practical help to students in any college. (Students interested in Graduate Program — see University Graduate Catalog and department graduate guide.)

The Department offers the B.A. and B.S. degrees in Arts and Sciences with a major in Sociology. An undergraduate may select from any of the following specializations in the Arts and Sciences curriculum. Each student is assigned to an adviser based on choice of specialization.

General Sociology (BS/BA). Incoming freshmen and transfer students usually will be assigned to this option. After taking courses in specialized areas, accomplishing a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.2 and working with General Sociology advisers, students may select any of the other specializations. Those desiring to gain a broad orientation to all areas of Sociology with anticipation of other career interests or graduate school may remain in general sociology. (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the major)

Teaching Specialization (BS). Prepares for entrance into middle school or senior high level teaching. These students in consultation with departmental Teaching Adviser and the College of Education and Counseling plan their program to accomplish other teaching endorsements to maximize employment opportunities. One semester is set aside for a teaching-block and offcampus teaching assignment. (Minimum GPA of 2.6 in the major).

Pre-Social Work Option. The undergraduate program in pre-social work at South Dakota State University is a 2 + 2 program. Students who choose this option will take two years at SDSU and two years at the University of South Dakota (USD) to accomplish an accredited degree in Social Work. This degree is for those seeking a specialized career in private or public social welfare. Students need to work closely with the Coordinator of Social Work at SDSU. Students seeking more general social service type careers should select the Human Services specialization. (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the major.)

Human Services Specialization (BS). Designed for those interested in “working with people” in a variety of social service type agencies. Students in this specialization must take classes in social work and service learning. They must also complete an internship. Coursework in criminal justice and human development complements this specialization. (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the major.)

Human Resources Specialization (BS). Designed for those interested in working with employers and employees in business, industry, or organizations. Students are required to take Business, Economics, and Accounting electives. An internship is strongly encouraged. (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the major.)

Criminal Justice Minor. Designed for students seeking careers in probation, parole, court services, pre-law, private security, or general law enforcement. Sociology majors in this minor will usually be working toward a B.A. or B.S. in General Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Both are offered by the Department of Sociology. Students will be expected to work closely with their adviser within the Department to fulfill the necessary requirements of the program. (See CJUS for Minor requirements.) (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the minor.)

Sociology Minor. Includes SOC 100, and 15 additional (SOC or ANTH) credits. Six credits must be numbered 300 or above. (Minimum GPA of 2.2 in the minor.)

Students should plan their schedules to take lower level courses (100- 200) in their freshman and sophomore years and upper level (300-400) during their junior and senior years. Graduating seniors must take the sociology exit exam. Students anticipating Graduate School should enroll in STAT 281 Introduction to Statistics as a part of their general electives.

Criminal Justice (CJUS)

This inter-college program administered by the Department of Sociology and Rural Studies is available to students majoring in any field at SDSU. The purposes of this program are 1) to provide qualified personnel for all segments of the Criminal Justice system; and 2) to help improve the competence and professional status of existing Criminal Justice personnel.

To enter the minor in Criminal Justice a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.2 and take a total of 18 credit hours from courses offered in Criminal Justice and selected courses available in Sociology, Psychology, and Political Science. Six of these 18 hours consist of two required courses (CJUS 201 and SOC 351). The remaining 12 hours may be selected from the list of CJUS electives. An internship (SOC 494) is strongly recommended as an addition to these hours (See Sociology Internship Coordinator one semester in advance of field placement).

Students desiring more information or interested in minoring in Criminal Justice should consult with the coordinator of the program no later than the beginning of their junior year.