2009-2011 - Benedict College

178 SOCIAL SCIENCES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
The Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Department offers majors in Criminal Justice, History,
Political Science, Psychology, Religion and Philosophy, and Sociology. The vision of the Social
Sciences and Criminal Justice Department is to become an exemplary, growth-oriented teaching and
research unit within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Its aim is to offer the highest
quality programs in a nurturing atmosphere by attracting and retaining dedicated, credentialed faculty
who excel in teaching, student mentoring, scholarly research, and service to the community. It further
aims to provide applied technological learning opportunities designed to advance the intellectual, analytical,
and communication skills of its graduates.
In keeping with the mission of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, the Social Sciences
and Criminal Justice Department is committed to providing the necessary instruction, advisement, and
academic support to prepare its graduates for entry into diverse careers and admission to graduate
and professional programs.
Courses offered within the Department of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice are designed to promote
social responsibility and ethical values, improve quality and understanding of life, and encourage
cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity. The faculty of the Department of Social Sciences and
Criminal Justice is committed to research and community services, and it encourages research by
preparing students in research methods and analysis.
Objectives/Competencies
The specific objectives of the Department of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice are to:
1. Provide a well-defined, broad-based liberal arts education for its students;
2. Provide students with the analytical and critical thinking skills needed for academic
and professional success;
3. Provide a focal point for incorporating the diverse units of the social sciences into
a program of study that gives meaning to its application in real life situations;
4. Enhance computer literacy, including: research, written and verbal communication
skills;
5. Prepare students for postgraduate education, including: law, graduate, and/or professional
training academies;
6. Provide access to government, business, and industry experiences via internships,
cooperative education work positions, and/or collaborative agreements
within the metro and regional professional communities;
7. Incorporating an honors academic tract for students maintaining a 3.25 grade
point average or above;
Assessment:
A measurement of the overall effectiveness of the Department of Social Sciences and
Criminal Justice in fulfilling the above objectives/competencies will be determined by
various methods. The methods include, but are not limited to, the following:
• content specific tests
• term papers
• research papers
• internships
• senior research paper defenses
• internal and external exit examinations