Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work

Location: Building 51, Room 2304
Phone: (904) 620-2850
Web Address: http://www.unf.edu/coas/sasw/

Dr. Robert L. Thunen, 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) program was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in fall 2015. The MSW program attained candidacy status in October 2017. According to CSWE, this means that the UNF MSW program is making adequate progress toward compliance with accreditation standards. Candidacy is typically a three-year process.

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 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 Sociology BA program is divided into two concentrations: General Sociology and Social Welfare. Both concentrations share a common core of courses in sociological theory and research methods, and both require six hours of lower-level sociology courses as a prerequisite. Students who have a broad interest in sociology or who aspire to graduate work in the field should consider the General Sociology concentration (33 credit hours), which allows maximum flexibility in the choice of major electives. Those who seek to apply sociological insights in the context of human services professions should select the Social Welfare concentration (36 credit hours), which includes core courses in social welfare as well as tailored electives. Both concentrations require 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. In 2016, over 30 students made presentations. 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

Robert L. Thunen, Associate Professor & Chair

Keith Ashley, Assistant Professor

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

Ronald F. Kephart, Associate Professor

Ronald A. Lukens-Bull, Professor

Ross E. McDonough, Instructor

Akanke Omorayo-Adenrele, Instructor

Krista E. Paulsen, Associate Professor

Anne E. Pfister, Assistant Professor

Richard D. Phillips, Associate Professor

Gordon F. Rakita, Professor

Jennifer C. Spaulding-Givens, Associate Professor

Jenny M. Stuber, Associate Professor

Jeffry A. Will, Professor