Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociocultural and Wellness Area (formerly Cluster Five: Individuals in the Human Community)

Kethera A.J. Moore, Sociocultural and Wellness Area Coordinator

Through studying the many variables that influence human behavior in contemporary society, students gain an understanding of the relationship between the individual and a diverse community and develop a sense of responsibility for self and community. Students explore how individuals develop and function in the social, psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions.

Sociocultural and Wellness Area Learning Outcomes

Wellness Domain

After completing a Wellness Domain course students will be able to:

  • Understand the dimensions of wellness, the various factors affecting each dimension and how dimensions are interrelated.
  • Understand the relationship between personal behaviors and lifelong health and wellness.
  • Assess their own levels of health and wellness and understand how these levels impact their quality of life.
  • Identify and implement strategies to improve their wellness.

Sociocultural Domain

After completing a Sociocultural Domain course students will be able to:

  • Understand how individual and sociocultural factors interact in the development of the beliefs, behaviors and experiences of oneself and others.
  • Discern the extent to which sources of information about the sociocultural domain are reputable and unbiased.
  • Evaluate the extent to which the approach to and uses of psychosocial research are ethical and appropriate.

Sociocultural and Wellness Area Structure

The Sociocultural and Wellness Area consists of six credits distributed across two program requirements: the Wellness Domain and the Sociocultural Domain. Students will choose one course to satisfy each of these two requirements. Sociocultural and Wellness Area requirements may be completed concurrently or individually, in any order.

Students are expected to complete Sociocultural and Wellness Area course work during their first two years at the university and are strongly encouraged to complete their Wellness Domain coursework in their first year.

Wellness Domain

Each of the courses satisfying the Wellness Domain requirement examines the individual behaviors that influence the dimensions of health and wellness.

Students will gain knowledge and conduct self-assessments relating to a variety of health topics.  In addition, students will learn strategies that improve lifetime health and wellness. Courses include a physical wellness component as a part of the course requirements.

Choose one of the following:

Sociocultural Domain

Each of the courses satisfying the Sociocultural Domain requirement focuses on sociocultural and psychological aspects of individuals interacting within societal contexts. These courses enable students to develop ethical and scientifically-based critical thinking about human behavior and social interaction.

Students study the formation and functions of social relationships and reflect on personal responsibilities to diverse communities within which people function throughout life. Students explore sociocultural and psychological aspects of personal belief systems, self-identity and assumptions about others.

Choose one of the following: