Sociology and Social Work at NMU

The Sociology and Social Work Department offers major programs in sociology and in social work, and a minor in anthropology.

Sociology

The sociology program includes a wide range of courses suitable for majors or minors in sociology, and for other students who would benefit from an understanding of human social behavior.  The core of the major emphasizes both theory and methodology, particularly as these may be brought to bear on the study of human interaction, social institutions, or analysis of contemporary social problems.  In addition, majors have the opportunity to investigate a variety of areas; for example, crime and deviance, family, minority groups, religion, and social change.

Within the sociology program, three majors are offered: general sociology, applied sociology and sociology in liberal arts.  In addition, the department offers a minor in sociology and a research analysis minor and advisement for the interdisciplinary gerontology minor.

The department participates in an interdisciplinary social science major, and a minor in international studies.  See Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs and International Studies sections of this bulletin.

Social Work

The mission of the social work program is to provide quality educational preparation for entry into beginning social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.  Our primary goal is that every bachelor of social work graduate will be prepared for beginning generalist practice.  All bachelor of social work students will receive a professional education based on a liberal arts perspective.  All bachelor of social work students will be versed in content about social work practice with client systems of various sizes and types, and will be prepared to practice with diverse populations. The program will provide content about the contexts of social work practice, the changing nature of those contexts, the behavior of organizations, and the dynamics of change.  Throughout the curriculum, students will be exposed to the values and ethics that guide professional social work practice.  Students will be educated with an awareness of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development. 

Additional secondary goals include providing a knowledge base in social welfare for students in other programs and meeting a regional need for substance abuse training.  Final program goals are to contribute to the advancement of social work practice and to facilitate professional growth opportunities for social workers in the Upper Peninsula.

Anthropology

The minor in anthropology provides a general introduction to archaeology, cultural and physical anthropology.  Enrollment in this minor requires department approval.

Sociology and Social Work Programs

Sociology Programs

The general sociology major is valuable in a variety of fields, including: business, community work, corrections, government services, health services, public relations, research and social services. In addition, students who hold this degree are also well prepared for graduate study.

Sociology and Social Work Programs