Geography, Sociology, History, Africana Studies and Anthropology

Department Chairperson: Daniel Block

Email: dblock@csu.edu

Phone: 773-995-2310

Location: Williams Science Center 321

Department Overview

The Department of Geography, Sociology, History, Africana Studies, and Anthropology offers undergraduate degrees in History and Africana Studies, and in Sociology as well as programs leading to Graduate Certificate in Community Development, Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Master of Arts in Geography, and Master of Arts in Geography with Geographic Information Systems GI Science Concentration.

Geography

The Geography Program in the Department of Geography, Sociology, History, Africana Studies, and Anthropology offers programs leading to Graduate Certificate in Community Development, Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and a Master of Arts in Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies, with concentrations in GISceince, Urban Studies, and Environmental Studies. Students seeking admission into any of these programs must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must fulfill the general requirements for admission to graduate programs at Chicago State University, which includes attainment of a 2.75 GPA or better in the last 60 hours at the undergraduate level. The Department reaches out to surrounding communities through the Neighborhood Assistance Center. The Neighborhood Assistance Center provides technical assistance to neighborhood-based community and economic development. Students participate in research that addresses socioeconomic issues in the community and they have the opportunity to intern with local community organizations.

History & Africana Studies

Chicago State University’s Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Africana Studies Program, launched in Fall 2022, offers three concentration options: History Liberal Arts Option, Africana Studies Option, and Teaching Option (Secondary Education Social Studies Teaching Licensure). All options are growing and focus on the development of historical and African-centered analysis and research skills, which broadens the types of career paths with more interdisciplinary and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)- and research-focused positions.

The Master of Arts in History focuses on the development of historical analysis and research skills, and the interdisciplinary nature of the Program provides knowledge and skills that have applicability to careers in the public or private sector, including government, corporate, and non-profit and meets the needs in increasingly culturally diverse workplaces. The program features Africana and United States History within an interdisciplinary approach. History degree graduates from Chicago State University acquire competencies to teach courses in History, Africana Studies, Ethnic Studies, and other social sciences in secondary schools and community colleges. A significant number of Master of Arts in History awardees graduates pursues their path to a Ph.D. degree as well as careers in legal service, justice, and public order.

The History and Africana Studies Program offers the post-baccalaureate non-degree secondary education social studies teaching licensure program (TCHI) for the candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education the opportunity to earn a professional educator license and the post-baccalaureate certificate in Archives and Records Management (ARM) for the students who wish to pursue careers in archives, records management, and in libraries with special collections units that include archives and records management divisions.

Sociology

Sociology is the social scientific study of society, social groups, and human interaction. There are many sub-areas in the field, and these are reflected in the department’s course offerings. At its core, sociology analyzes human interaction, social inequality, social institutions, and social change. The discipline promotes social justice and solutions to social problems through community outreach and engagement. Sociology provides excellent training in social science research and analysis for application in a broad array of careers, including law, social work, human resource management, gerontology, marketing and market research, urban planning, industrial relations, community organizing, and policy research and analysis. In summary, sociology provides an excellent educational background for any field in which individuals must work with people and critically assess social influences and phenomena on human interactions.

The department also offers undergraduate courses in social work. The array of courses prepares individuals for careers in the social services, in both the public and private sectors. The program prepares graduates to work with disadvantaged and vulnerable populations by developing and applying skills and strategies to effectively confront systemic problems faced by these groups. The Sociology program offers a BA in Sociology.

Cultural awareness, personal growth, and inter-relational sensitivities are integral components of social work education. In addition to the major in sociology, the department offers undergraduate minors in sociology, social work, and gerontology. See the graduate catalog for a description of the Master of Social Work Program.

Mission, Vision, Values

The Department of Geography, Sociology, History, African American Studies, and Anthropology (GSHAA) at Chicago State University is a multi-disciplinary academic unit which is committed to providing a rigorous, positive, and transformative educational experience for both undergraduate and graduate students. The department fosters an inclusive, collegial environment which promotes scholarly achievement, research productivity, and service to its diverse student, faculty, and staff population. GSHAA is focused on extending the educational experience outside the walls of the university through teacher training, the promotion of social justice, and community involvement in Chicago and the region

Program Specific Admissions

Requirements

Students seeking admission into any of the graduate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must fulfill the general requirements for admission to graduate programs at Chicago State University, which includes attainment of a 2.75 GPA or better in the last 60 hours at the undergraduate level. The Department reaches out to surrounding communities through the Neighborhood Assistance Center. The Neighborhood Assistance Center provides technical assistance to neighborhood-based community and economic development. Students participate in research that addresses socioeconomic issues in the community and they have the opportunity to intern with local community organizations.

Honors Program in Sociology

Requirements for Admissions

Students must

have a 3.25 GPA or higher in the major (after 12 credit hours in the major);
have a 3.0 GPA or higher overall;
have junior level status;
be a declared sociology major. Students in other majors or the Board of Governors Program will be considered and offered admission to the honors option contingent on their declaration of a sociology major;
identify a faculty member who will serve as a program mentor, both in assessing student progress at the end of each semester and the completion of the honors thesis;
complete an application for admission that is signed by the faculty mentor and approved by the department chair.

Program Requirements

Honors students must:

complete 12 credit hours designated as “honors” in sociology major classes;
within the 12 credits of honors courses, complete at least two, but not more than three, designated honors classes at the 3000-4000 level (6-9 credit hours);
within the 12 credits of honors courses, complete at least one, but not more than two semesters of Senior Honors Thesis (SOC 4990 ) with a faculty mentor (3-6 credit hours);
earn a B or above in each honors course;
maintain a major GPA of 3.25 or higher (students whose GPAs fall below the minimums will be granted one semester grace period to regain the minimum GPA level;
participate with other honors students in department-initiated honors student activities.
Honors sections will require a level of intellectual engagement over and above that of the traditional course. Honors sections will require additional reading and one or more additional projects, papers, or assignments.

The Honors Thesis Project Requirements

In order to complete the honors thesis requirement, students must:

enroll with a faculty mentor for one or two semesters (3-6 credit hours) in a section of Senior Honors Thesis;
develop a project (in conjunction with the faculty mentor) that contributes intellectually to the field of sociology;
defend the honors thesis before a committee consisting of the faculty mentor and 1 or 2 additional faculty readers;
submit a publishable manuscript of the thesis project or submit an archive copy and written description of a nontraditional thesis project, such as a documentary film.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Minor