Social Sciences

The Social Sciences division of the department seeks to transmit knowledge to students and members of the community in order to promote health, welfare, interpersonal tolerance and understanding of oneself, others, the community, and the world. Students are afforded an open and intimate learning environment for developing their critical thinking and interpersonal skills and engage in ongoing self and professional exploration. In keeping with the mission of St. Marguerite D’Youville, concern for and service to the community are strongly encouraged. 

The Social Sciences offer majors in psychology, sociology, and public health, as well as minors in psychology, sociology, medical sociology, and public health. In our exciting new curriculum, both psychology and sociology majors complete a joint cluster of courses consisting of the Nuts and Bolts of the social sciences. These courses include an introduction to the discipline, a two-semester professional development sequence, statistics and research methods in the social sciences, and two semesters of internship or service learning and senior seminar. Majors also complete four courses each from two course clusters chosen based on professional interests and goals. While many colleges and universities offer majors in the social sciences, D’Youville is unique in providing ongoing, personalized guidance and mentorship in establishing clear professional goals and preparing for the transition into those professions. Yes, our students acquire the foundation of knowledge needed to continue their professional path, but they also find the support required to gain immediate employment in the field, admission to graduate programs, or both! 

Humanities

The Humanities division of the department prepares liberally educated students through exposure to the range of humanistic inquiry. These studies, concerned not merely with information but with values, help the student’s development as a total person. This implies intellectual and social development, as well as maturity in assessing the values essential to a sound philosophy of life. The Humanities division offers degrees in English, Health Humanities, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Spanish. Requirements for these programs are listed in the courses of instruction section of this catalog.  

Minors are also offered for students majoring in other fields who want to add a Humanities focus to their degree program. Available minors are: English Literature, History, Integrated Media Arts, Philosophy, Pre-law, Religious Studies, Spanish, Spanish for the Health Professions, and World Languages and Cultures.