Health, Medicine, and Society

The mission of the Department of Society, Culture, and Languages is to offer a vigorous and exciting broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on cultural, global, and political dynamics. The department provides a combination of theoretical, scientific, practical and experiential approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture, as well as hands-on learning, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Our goal is to graduate students with marketable skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of public and social services and/or for graduate study in related areas.

A minor in Health, Medicine, and Society is an interdisciplinary, social scientific study of health and medicine. It encompasses anthropological, sociological, psychological, and political science investigations of health and illness. This minor prepares students for a myriad of careers that directly or indirectly relate to a variety of fields in the medical professions. 

To complete the Minor in Health, Medicine, and Society students must complete six (6) three (3) credit courses in Anthropology, Sociology, and related social science or medically related disciplines. Also, four of the total courses must be completed in Anthropology or Sociology. The electives may come from a variety of fields depending on the specific course. Students may count courses taken in the Core Curriculum as part of the minor, however, two additional courses must be taken in addition to the Core courses to complete the minor. Students in Sociology or Applied Social and Cultural Studies may not count courses toward the major and the HMS minor. One course must be taken at the 300 or 400 level.

1. Expand the awareness and application of the sociological imagination and how it is applied in the anthropology field. ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe how sociology and anthropology are distinct from other social sciences
   • Apply the sociological imagination to social phenomena
   • apply anthropology to social phenomena
2. Emphasize the role of sociological and anthropological theory in social perspectives.​Students will be able to:
   • Describe the role of theory in building sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives
   • Apply these theories to social conditions
3. Examine, apply, and critically assess the nature of evidence in sociology and anthropology.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Identify the basic methodological approaches in building sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Compare and contrast various research methodologies
   • Design and complete a written research project
   • Critically assess published research
4. Apply and assess a wide range of data analysis. Students will be able to:
   • Recognizes the role of data analysis in building sociological and anthropological knowledge and testing sociological theory
   • Use computer software for statistical analysis
   • Understand appropriate statistical techniques
   • Draw valid conclusions from the data analysis
5. Examine how cultural and social structures operate. ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe different social institutions and their various influences on the individual
   • Explain how the aforementioned institutions are interrelated
   • Evaluate them using sociological theory
   • Explain the concept of culture and its influences on the human condition
6. Examine the diversity of human societies. Students will be able to:
   • Describe the significance of variation by race, class, gender, religion, and age
   • Explain patterns and variations using sociological and anthropological perspectives
   • Justify policy recommendations to address social inequalities
7. Communicate sociology and anthropology effectively. ​Students will be able to:
   • Produce well-written papers that clearly express sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Clearly express sociological and anthropological knowledge in verbal presentations
   • Demonstrate critical thinking

See Undergraduate Admissions.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.