Psychology
Psychology is a discipline in the social sciences which focuses on the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. At Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the Psychology program includes the study of psychological phenomena and basic processes necessary to understand human behavior. Specific areas examined in the program include lifespan development, personality development, motivati
on, emotion, attitudes, intelligence, physiological factors, the senses, experimental design and research methods, as well as psychological topics of current interest.
Sociology
Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human social life. It focuses on the influence of social relationships on people's attitudes and behavior as well as how societies develop and change. Sociology, as a behavioral science, engages in the scientific study of society, social structure, and human social behavior. Sociology majors frequently enter such diverse fields as law enforcement, counseling, probation work, social service occupations, marketing analysis, human relations, casework, demography, and business.
Criminology
Criminology is an interdisciplinary social-behavioral science which includes systematic study in the theory of crime, social foundations of criminal behavior, theories of punishment, and social structural components of the legal and criminal justice systems. The program uses a social-psychological model of focus on the etiology of crime, criminal behavior, and societal reaction to crime. Criminology majors may enter occupational fields such as law enforcement, correctional counseling, probation and parole work, immigration and naturalization services, investigative services, institutional corrections, and community-based corrections. Southwest Borderland Studies: Minors
The Southwest Borderlands Research Center offers minors in both of its component areas, Mexican American Studies and Southwest Borderlands Studies, in conjunction with the Departments of Geosciences, History, Language and Literature, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology, and the Colleges of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Business Administration, and Engineering. Minors in Mexican American Studies are required to complete 18 semester hours of courses related to Mexican Americans, including SWBS 2301. Students electing to minor in Southwest Borderlands Studies are required to take SWBS 2302, SWBS 4302, and SWBS 4304 to complete 18 semester hours of courses related to borderlands development. No more than 9 semester hours in any department may apply toward the minor in either area of concentration. Anthropology: Minor
Anthropology is a discipline in the social sciences which focuses on the comparative study of human behavior and cultures. Anthropology asks, “What makes human beings so distinct? What factors (biology, culture, etc.) influence the ways we behave? How can we understand the increasing interconnections among societies and the differences between us?” To get at these questions, anthropologists study almost everything, from garbage to monkeys to HIV/AIDS to multinational corporations. Anthropology is made up of four subfields: archaeology, physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Each subfield approaches the study of human behavior from a unique perspective, but all the subfields share common goals in understanding what it means to be human. Courses in Anthropology examine human similarity and difference through case studies of cultural diversity around the globe and through time. They emphasize the applications of anthropology in understanding present-day social issues like inequality, race, gender, class, families, migration, borders, warfare, communication, ecology, health and medicine. Anthropology shares close ties with the humanities, natural sciences, and even business fields. With its broad perspective and emphasis on critical, cross-cultural thinking, anthropology is widely applicable in many fields of study. Anthropology students go on to use their analytical strength and cultural breadth in many career paths, including public service, law enforcement, business, marketing, healthcare, and education. Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Department of Psychology and Sociology
MSC 177, Room 120
Kingsville, Texas 78363
Email: [email protected]
voice: (361) 593-2701
fax: (361) 593-2707
