Coordinator: Dr. Kethera Moore

In the Sociocultural and Wellness Area, students learn about themselves as individuals and as members of different communities. Through studying the many variables that influence human behavior, 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.

REQUIREMENTS

The two courses within this six credit-hour area may be taken concurrently or individually in any order. Students are required to complete one course each in the Wellness Domain and the Sociocultural Domain. Students are expected to complete Sociocultural and Wellness Area coursework during the first two years at the University.

Courses that satisfy the Wellness Domain requirement examine the dimensions of health and wellness. An emphasis is placed on the factors that influence health and wellness, particularly individual behaviors. Students will participate in self-assessments that provide information about their health and wellness behaviors and their overall health status. 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.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing the Wellness Domain, students should 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.

COURSE OPTIONS (complete one of the following)

• HTH 100: Personal Wellness
• KIN 100: Lifetime Fitness and Wellness

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

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing the Sociocultural Domain, students should be able to:

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

COURSE OPTIONS (complete one of the following)

• EDUC 175E: Learning, Behavior and Engagement in Context (experimental course)
• PSYC 101: General Psychology
• PSYC 160: Life Span Human Development
• SOCI 140: Microsociology: The Individual in Society
• WGSS 200: Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies