About Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work programs
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Faculty
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Location: Building 51, Room 2304
Phone: (904) 620-2850
Web Address: http://www.unf.edu/coas/sasw/
Jennifer Spaulding-Givens, Chair
Mission
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work seeks to provide greater understanding of human behavior with a
focus on its social and cultural contexts, both locally and globally. We strive
to accomplish this through our commitment to excellence in undergraduate
education and scholarly research and the development of practical and applied
skills in which our students and faculty draw upon their knowledge to
critically analyze and serve diverse populations and communities. The
Department is committed to the focused use of available resources and to a process
of continual self-reflection and improvement.
Department Accreditation Status
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
The Program
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work includes faculty and degree programs in three disciplines:
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work. All share a common focus on human
behavior, though their specific emphases differ.
Sociology is the study of social life, social
change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists
investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how
people navigate and interact within these contexts. As a social science, sociology
employs a rigorous methodology that includes both quantitative and qualitative
data analysis. Central areas of sociological inquiry include social class, race
and ethnicity, gender, religion, urban life, work and organizations, social
welfare, family, politics, and international development. UNF’s Sociology
faculty have expertise across these areas and maintain active research agendas.
They bring knowledge and passion into the classroom, and many of our faculty
have involved students in research projects.
Anthropology is the systematic study of
humanity from a holistic, cross-cultural, and historical perspective. It draws
insights from a variety of disciplinary lenses, including the social sciences,
the humanities, and the biological sciences. The goal of anthropological
research is a deep and rich understanding of who we are as humans, how we have
changed, and why we are as we are. UNF’s Anthropology program provides rigorous
training in sociocultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology,
and physical anthropology. In addition, students learn to apply their
anthropological knowledge to real-world human problems at the local or
international level. The UNF Anthropology faculty represent the diversity of
discipline, and are active in publishing and presenting their research.
Social workers routinely provide services in
the areas of child welfare, housing assistance, disaster relief, mental health,
substance abuse, crisis intervention, vocational training, hospice and
palliative care, juvenile justice and corrections, and victim advocacy. UNF’s
Social Work program provides generalist and advanced generalist training in the theory and practice of
social work with individuals, groups, families and communities. The program
includes a substantial field education component, placing students in local
agencies like those where they would work as professionals. UNF’s Social Work
faculty have extensive academic training as well as practical experience in the
field.
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Undergraduate Major Degree Programs
The Department offers BA degrees in Sociology
and in Anthropology, and a BSW in Social Work. All majors must fulfill the
University’s general education requirements and the College of Arts and
Sciences graduation requirements. The minimum total hours required for all
four-year degrees is 120 credit hours.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (BA): The BA in Sociology (33 hours) provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the sociological perspective based on the systematic study of the interrelationship between the individual and larger social structural forces and institutions. The undergraduate curriculum is organized to cultivate the theoretical, methodological, empirical, and critical thinking skills -- central to both sociology and a broader liberal arts education. The BA in Sociology requires a minor.
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (BA): The Bachelor of Arts in
Anthropology (36 credit hours) is grounded in the discipline’s four fields:
archaeology, sociocultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and physical
anthropology. Students take a core course in each of these areas, as well as
courses in the theories, methods, and traditions of the discipline. Elective
courses provide insights into the cultures and regions about which faculty have
specialized knowledge (for instance, Southeast Asia or the Southeastern U.S.),
or into specific topics of interest to Anthropologists (such as religion or
globalization). Many students complement their coursework with applied research
experiences in Department’s labs or the Archaeological Field School.
Prerequisites include six hours of lower-level courses in Anthropology. The BA
in Anthropology requires a minor.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): The Bachelor of
Social Work degree is a 54-credit hour program designed to develop students’
knowledge of social work and their skills in social work practice.
Prerequisites include five lower-level courses that provide background in
social sciences and biology, and students are encouraged to take a lower-level
course in social work or human service provision. The BSW program of study
includes required courses in social work theory and practice, as well as
courses in social diversity and electives that enhance students’ knowledge of
specific client populations and practice contexts. In their second year, all
students will complete a two-semester supervised internship at an approved
field site. The BSW is a limited-access program, admitting students in fall
semester only. Full-time and part-time programs of study are available.
Prospective students should consult the Department’s website for current
application information and deadlines. BSW students are not required to
complete a minor.
Undergraduate Minor Degree Programs
In addition to our BA and BSW programs, the
Department offers minors in Sociology, Anthropology, Social Welfare, and Urban
and Metropolitan Studies. All of the Department’s minors are 15 credit hours
(some have additional prerequisite requirements).
Sociology Minor: The Sociology Minor
facilitates a basic understanding of the field through a required course in
sociological theory and a choice of four additional upper-level electives.
Anthropology: The Anthropology
Minor allows students to choose from a range of courses across this diverse
field.
Social Welfare:The Social Welfare
Minor requires courses in social welfare, human services and social diversity;
electives further prepare students for work with a variety of client
populations.
Urban and Metropolitan Studies:This
interdisciplinary minor allows students to examine cities, urban regions and
urban issues from a variety of perspectives including Sociology, Anthropology,
Economics, Political Science, History and others.
Honors in the Major
Outstanding and highly motivated Sociology
and Anthropology majors may apply for Honors in the Major. Students who
successfully complete the requirements of the program will have “Honors in
Sociology” or “Honors in Anthropology” appear on their transcript. Application
should be made at least two semesters prior to graduation. Sociology students
seeking Honors in the Major must have a 3.5 GPA in the major and complete an
honors project under the supervision of a faculty member. For Honors in
Anthropology, students must meet a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.5,
demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level (four semesters) in a
language other than English, and complete a thesis project with faculty
supervision. For complete information on Honors in the Major and application
materials, please contact the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social
Work.
Graduate Degree Program
Master of Social Work
(MSW): The University of North Florida (UNF) Master of Social Work (MSW) program fosters a commitment to creating social change through a holistic practice of social work that emphasizes the attainment of biopsychosocial-economic and spiritual wellbeing, especially among people who experience systematic marginalization and oppression. Through an educational experience founded on critical thinking, research, service, and social justice and enriched through diverse community partnerships, the program prepares professional advanced generalist social workers for multi-method clinical and administrative practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Study Abroad/CBTL/TLO Programming
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology,
and Social Work has a strong record of providing students with learning
opportunities outside the classroom. These include faculty-led study abroad
trips, the Archaeological Field School, undergraduate research opportunities,
internship opportunities, and community-based learning. Faculty in both
Sociology and Anthropology have led students on study abroad trips (to Spain
and to Iceland, most recently), and the Social Work faculty look forward to
including study abroad opportunities in the BSW program. The Anthropology
program offers an Archaeological Field School each summer that allows students
to examine native Floridian and early European sites near the UNF campus.
Students who have conducted research in the contexts of their courses, honor
projects, field school or independent studies are invited to present posters or
papers at the Department’s annual Undergraduate Symposium. All BSW students are required to complete
internships as part of their program of study, and students in the Anthropology
and Sociology programs may complete a supervised internship as an elective. The
Department has ongoing relationships with a number of local non-profit
organizations and other agencies that welcome student interns. Finally, as a
result of ongoing collaborative work with community organizations, the
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work was recognized by UNF as
an Engaged Department in 2011. The Department offers a number of courses that
provide opportunities for Community Based Transformational Learning.
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Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Faculty
Jennifer C. Spaulding-Givens, Associate Professor&
Chair
Keith
Ashley, Assistant Professor
Jennifer Barr, Instructor & BSW Program Director
Mandi N. Barringer, Assistant Professor
Shinwoo
Choi, Assistant Professor
Paul G. Clark, Assistant Professor
Cristy E. Cummings, Assistant Professor
Rosa De Jorio, Professor
David D. Jaffee, Professor & Sociology Program Coordinator
Ronald F. Kephart, Associate Professor
Ronald A. Lukens-Bull, Professor
Yolanda Machado-Escudero, Assistant Professor
Ross E. McDonough, Instructor & BSW Field Director
Akanke
Omorayo-Adenrele, Instructor & MSW Field Director
Anne E. Pfister, Assistant Professor
Richard D. Phillips, Associate Professor
Gordon F. Rakita, Professor
Jenny M. Stuber, Associate Professor
Jeffry A. Will, Professor