College of Natural and Social Sciences
Department of
SOCIOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH SCIENCE
Go directly to:
- Suzanne Maughan, Co-Chair of Sociology, Geography and Earth Science, for Sociology
- H. Jason Combs, Co-Chair of Sociology, Geography and Earth Science, for Geography and Earth Science
Sociology Faculty
Geography and Earth Science Faculty
Department Objectives:
Sociology
- To seek an understanding of the changes and development processes of social life;
- To develop comprehension, insight, analytical approaches, scientific inquiry approaches, liberal arts perspectives, and
information-processing capabilities;
- To address social phenomena and social problems associated with racial, ethnic and other group relations, socio-cultural
change, societal institutions, population dynamics, community disorganization, social conflict, social welfare and policy,
deviance, effects of technological change, and major social problems;
- To prepare those students who wish to attend graduate school.
Sociology is the investigation of interpersonal and intergroup relationships, forms of organization in human
life and consequences for humans. Sociological perspectives and competencies provide an essential basis for considering
numerous career opportunities in conjunction with other UNK programs. Careers in government, business, social agencies,
transportation, commerce, law, medicine, and information and data use are a few of the opportunities with this major. Further
information is available through the Department offices.
Geography
- To acquaint students with the relationships that exist between people and the earth.
- To develop an appreciation for the Earth and the natural processes affecting it, the effect of human habitation of the
earth on a regional scale and its interrelationships with the Physical Earth, and the factors and processes affecting human
activities and their distribution over the surface of the earth.
- To offer courses which lead to the preparation of teachers of geography and earth science on the elementary and secondary
levels.
- To provide educational opportunities that contribute to professional careers in the Geographic sciences.
SOCIOLOGY MAJOR
Two options are available in this major:
- Sociology - Bachelor of Arts Degree
or Sociology - Bachelor of Science Degree
- Sociology 7-12 Teaching Subject Endorsement - Bachelor of Science in Education Degree
A Sociology minor is available to students pursuing majors in other disciplines or programs.
Courses with the prefix SOC are offered by the department.
GEOGRAPHY MAJOR
Three options are available in this major:
- Geography - Bachelor of Arts Degree
or Geography - Bachelor of Science Degree
- Geography and GIScience - Bachelor of Science Degree
- Geography 7-12 Teaching Subject Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
Environmental Science, Geography, and
GIScience minors are available to students pursuing majors in other disciplines or programs.
Courses with the prefix GEOG are offered by the department.
Sociology and Geography and Earth Science participate in the Social Science 7-12 Teaching Field
Endorsement.