Societies and Health Minor

A minor in Societies and Health provides a unique opportunity for students to critically examine how culture and society intersect with health and illness. In this multidisciplinary program, students will learn diverse theoretical perspectives and
research methods in anthropology, communication, psychology, and sociology. Students will then integrate and apply their knowledge through independent study or directed research.

The minor consists of 18 credits of coursework beyond the prerequisite course, including 12 elective credits with a common health communication focus approved by your minor advisor. 

Coursework & Duration

Prerequisite Course

One of the following introductory social science courses:

Course Number	Course Name	Credit
AN 103	Introduction to Anthropology	3 credits
CO 101	Introduction to Communication	3 credits
EC 101	Introduction to Macroeconomics	3 credits
SO 101	Introduction to Sociology	3 credits
SO 111	Principles of Sociology	3 credits

Required Courses

200+ Level AN, CO, PS, SO, or SS Courses

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
12 credits from any of our disciplines at 200+ level, e.g.:
SO 347	Death & Dying	3 credits
AN 301	Medical Anthropology	3 credits
SS 321	Intercultural Health Communication	3 credits
PS 329	Cognitive Psychology	3 credits

Research Methods or Statistical Analysis

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
A course (3 credits minimum) in research methods or statistical analysis, e.g.:
ST 310	Introduction to Biostatistics	3 credits
SS 221/SS 222*	Research Design & Statistical Analysis I, II	4 credits each
SS 400	Quantitative Methods	3 credits
OT 650	Applied Research Methods	3 credits
*SS 221/222 requires both courses in sequence.

Independent Study or Directed Research

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Choose one; 3 credits
AN 399 or CO 399 or EC 399, or SS 399	Independent Study (Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Social Sciences)	must complete 3 credits total
AN 498	Directed Research in Anthropology	3 credits
CO 498	Directed Research in Communications	3 credits
SO 498	Directed Research in Sociology	3 credits
SS 498	Directed Research in Social Science	3 credits

Requirements & Expectations

• A minimum of 12 credits of minor coursework must be completed in addition to any courses (required courses or program electives) included in the major curriculum. 
• Up to 6 credits of coursework, with an earned grade of "C" or better, taken at another accredited institution may be applied to the course requirements of the minor upon prior approval of the department chair.
• Interested students should apply to the minor program early in their academic career, usually by the fifth semester of college work, but no later than the end of the drop/add period of the first semester of their last year of didactic work.