Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

518 VARNER HALL
(248) 370-2420
Fax: (248) 370-4608

Social Work

512B VARNER HALL
(248) 370-2371
Fax: (248) 370-4608

Department Website

Chairperson: Jo Reger

Professors emeriti: Peter J. Bertocci, Judith K. Brown, David R. Maines, Jacqueline R. Scherer, Gary Shepherd, Richard Stamps

Professors: Albert J. Meehan, Dorothy A. Nelson, Terri L. Orbuch, Jo Reger, Suzanne M. Spencer-Wood

Associate professors: Amanda Burgess Proctor, Lori A. Burrington, Graham Cassano, Dennis J. Condron, Henri Gooren, Angela A. Kaiser, Heidi Lyons, Maria Paino, George Sanders, Cynthia J. Schellenbach, Scott J. Smith

Assistant professors: Theresa Anasti, Jacob H. Becker, Teressa Benz, Jon W. Carroll, Wendi L. Johnson, Matthew May, Watoii Rabii, Kareen Tonsing

Adjunct Assistant Professor: Michael Pytlik

Special Instructor: Maria Beam (program director, Social Work), Linda Bzhetaj

Administrative professionals: Stephanie Brandimarte (Social Work), Kimberly Byrd (Criminal Justice), Heather El-Khoury (Social Work)

Chief advisers: Dorothy A. Nelson (Anthropology), Heidi Lyons (Sociology), Stephanie Brandimarte (Social Work), Kimberly Byrd (Criminal Justice)

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice offers majors in sociology and anthropology as well as a joint major in sociology/anthropology (B.A.); a major in criminal justice leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, and a major in social work leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree.

Sociology is the scientific study of society and systematically examines the cultural and social factors that shape individual and group behavior. Students learn about the fundamental processes of human interaction, the forces of social inequality and social change, and critically examine society’s social institutions and social problems. The major prepares students for careers where knowledge of human relationships and/or research skills are desirable, and for graduate work in sociology and related social service fields.

Anthropology is the study of humankind in all its aspects, through archaeological, biological, cultural, and linguistic research, and fosters the use of this knowledge in addressing human problems. The major prepares students for graduate work in anthropology and/or archaeology and for careers that utilize anthropological knowledge and training. In sociology and anthropology students are required to study research techniques and acquire skills in theoretical analysis. Both majors are designed to allow flexibility for students to pursue their own intellectual interests.

Social Work is a profession that strives to prevent crisis, promote social justice, and enhance the social functioning of individuals, groups, and communities so that they may better cope with the many challenges they encounter. The Bachelor of Social Work degree program trains students in the generalist social work perspective, along with the values and ethical principles consistent with the profession’s historical commitment to social justice and positive change. Students trained in social work are capable of working with individuals, families, and communities of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

The Criminal Justice major is an interdisciplinary program grounded in the theoretical, methodological, and applied policy traditions of criminology and criminal justice, as well as those related disciplines that have contributed to its core knowledge (i.e., sociology, political science, public administration, law, philosophy, psychology).  The degree choices that students can make are criminal justice, criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security and criminal justice with a specialization in information security and assurance.

Students also may select a combined major in sociology and anthropology, and a modified major in sociology or anthropology with a concentration in linguistics. Other concentrations include archaeology, gerontology, and addiction studies. The department also offers minors in sociology, anthropology, criminal justice and child welfare (for social work majors).

Departmental Honors

To be a candidate for departmental honors in sociology, students must have taken at least 16 of their major credits at the 3000-4000 level, have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their sociology major course work at Oakland University, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 in major course work at Oakland and receive recommendations from two departmental faculty members.

To be a candidate for departmental honors in anthropology, students must have taken at least 16 credits in the major at the 3000 level or above, have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their anthropology major course work at Oakland University, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 in major course work, and receive recommendations from two departmental faculty members.

To be a candidate for departmental honors in social work, students must have taken at least 16 credits in the major at the 3000 level or above, have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their social work major course work at Oakland University, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 in the major course work, and receive recommendations from two departmental faculty members.

To be a candidate for departmental honors in criminal justice, students must have taken at least 16 credits in the major at the 3000 level or above, taken a minimum of 16 credits of criminal justice major coursework at Oakland University, earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 in the major coursework, and received recommendations from two departmental faculty members.

Schedule of classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Programs

• Addiction Studies Concentration
• Anthropology - Wayne State University and Detroit Mercy Law School 3+3 Programs
• Anthropology Minor
• Anthropology, B.A.
• Anthropology, B.A., Concentration in Linguistics
• Archaeology Concentration
• Child Welfare Minor
• Criminal Justice - Wayne State University and Detroit Mercy Law School 3+3 Programs
• Criminal Justice Minor
• Criminal Justice, B.A.
• Criminal Justice, B.A., Specialization in Homeland Security
• Criminal Justice, B.A., Specialization in Information Security and Assurance
• Gerontology Concentration
• Social Work, B.S.W.
• Sociology - Wayne State University and Detroit Mercy Law School 3+3 Programs
• Sociology Minor
• Sociology, B.A.
• Sociology, B.A., Concentration in Linguistics
• Sociology/Anthropology, B.A.

Courses

• SOC 3600 - Social Stratification
• SOC 3610 - Racial and Ethnic Relations
• SOC 3620 - Sociology of Gender
• SOC 3630 - Social Movements
• SOC 3640 - Urban and Community Sociology
• SOC 3650 - Gender and Work
• SOC 3800 - Political Sociology
• SOC 3820 - Social Control of Mass Media
• SOC 3840 - Corrections and Rehabilitative Institutions
• SOC 3850 - Criminal Law and the Courts
• SOC 3860 - The Surveillance Society
• SOC 3905 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 3930 - Field Experience in Sociology
• SOC 4800 - Queer Social Theory
• SOC 4950 - Internship in Sociology
• SOC 4970 - Applying the Sociological Imagination
• SOC 4996 - Independent Study and Research
• SOC 4997 - College Teaching Apprenticeship
• SW 2301 - Introduction to Social Work
• SW 3101 - Human Behavior and Social Environment
• SW 3102 - Foundations for Multicultural Social Work
• SW 3112 - Substance Abuse Theory and Practice I
• SW 3201 - Human Behavior and Social Environment
• SW 3203 - Fundamentals of Social Work Practice
• SW 3212 - Substance Abuse Theory and Practice II
• SW 3302 - Social Welfare Policies
• SW 3312 - Death and Dying
• SW 3313 - Child Welfare
• SW 3905 - Special Topics in Social Work
• SW 4103 - Social Work Practice I
• SW 4203 - Social Work Practice II
• SW 4950 - Social Work Internship I
• SW 4951 - Social Work Internship II
• SW 4970 - Social Work Seminar I
• SW 4971 - Social Work Seminar II
• SW 4996 - Independent Study and Research