Division of Social Sciences
Division Chair – Dr. Ken Vickers
Office: Martin Hall, Room 207
Telephone: (931)424-7331 or e-mail: kvickers@martinmethodist.edu
Full-Time Faculty
Professors: Lancaster, Vickers, Wossum-Fisher
Associate Professors: Ryckman, Webb
Assistant Professor: Schoeberl, Scherr
Adjunct Faculty: Arnold, Campbell, D. Cheatham, Clark, Dudek, Hill, Holley-McCann, Jaeckle, Nivens, Pigg, Pruett, Rutherford, Waybright
The mission of the Division of Social Sciences is to be an essential component to a liberal arts education articulated by Martin Methodist College’s mission statement. To achieve this goal we continually strive to educate students in human behavior’s past and present historical and diverse cultural forms; to educate students in individual, group, national, and international contexts; and to empower students as critical thinkers so as to better enjoy a democratic participation in a rapidly changing world. Because of our commitment to excellence, members of the departments of History, Behavioral Sciences, and Criminal Justice, which comprise the division, are encouraged and supported in continuous development of their academic and professional efforts to create, share, and advance knowledge, not only in our students, but in the community and amongst our colleagues at large, and endorse the principles of the scientific method of inquiry. The Division of Social Sciences focuses upon producing students who function as independent, engaged, life-long learners capable of dealing with the challenges and capitalizing upon the opportunities presented in a modern, complex world and are equipped by us to be, throughout the course of their lives, responsible citizens who contribute to the common good of our society.
The Division of Social Sciences includes the areas of criminal justice, history, psychology, sociology, and social work. The Division offers the Bachelor’s degree with majors in Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, and History. Within the Behavioral Sciences major, students may choose an emphasis in Human Services and Counseling, General Psychology, or an approved minor. The Division also houses the Master of Science in Criminal Justice.
Within the Behavioral Sciences major, the Human Services and Counseling emphasis is an interdisciplinary major comprised of course work in psychology, sociology, and social work, and includes practicum experiences in a variety of work settings. The major prepares students to pursue graduate study or to work in various service areas such as: governmental social work agencies, residential treatment centers, domestic violence centers, halfway houses, nursing homes, youth clubs, etc. The General Psychology and Human Services and Counseling emphasis within the Behavioral Sciences major are designed to develop a theoretical and applied understanding of individual and social behavior. A Behavioral Sciences minor is also available. Graduates of the program are prepared to enter graduate study in such areas as psychology, counseling, social work, law, divinity school, occupational therapy, and criminal justice. Graduates are also prepared for a variety of careers in the mental health field such as mental health centers, probation/parole counseling, drug treatment centers, crisis counseling, vocational/career counseling, or in a number of business settings such as management, human resources, marketing, advertising, and public relations.
The Criminal Justice major is designed to provide students an opportunity to pursue studies leading to law school, graduate school, or a career in the administration of justice. The program includes a core of criminal justice courses on such topics as law enforcement, the judicial process, criminal investigations, forensic crime scene investigations, juvenile justice, corrections, and criminal law. Credit for selected courses may be obtained through prior learning experience. Contact the program coordinator for further details. The Master of Science in Criminal Justice allows students to select a track in either Management or Homeland Security.
The History major is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate work in history, to become secondary school teachers, or to pursue a degree in law.
Students interested in a major within the Division of Social Sciences should consult the appropriate program coordinator as listed below:
Behavioral Sciences – John W. Lancaster
Criminal Justice – Richard Schoeberl
History – Ken Vickers