College of Social & Behavioral Science:
Behavioral Science Program
For complete course descriptions, please refer to the University’s website at http://www.wilmu.edu/courses/coursedescriptions.aspx?subcode=SOC&level=u
Wilmington University is committed to academic excellence in our classrooms, relevant programs in our curriculum, and caring, personal attention to our students. One of our great strengths is the enthusiastic, personal involvement of our trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni in creating a sense of community. We believe that the opportunity for higher education should be available to all who seek it, and we will continue to meet the ongoing challenges that higher education presents in the years ahead. Not all programs/courses are offered at every Wilmington University location - please refer to the University's website for additional information.
The purpose of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Behavioral Science is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how social issues, social environments, and cultural influences affect individual and group behaviors. With a Wilmington University Behavioral Science degree, students will gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in careers working with adolescents and teens, families, the elderly, the homeless, the court systems, government agencies, addictions, crisis interventions, and more. Upon completion of the program, students seek careers in the human services, government, business, and industry. Students seeking graduate degree options may consider Master’s degrees in social work, sociology, psychology, human services, public administration, criminology, counseling, or human resource management.
Requirements:
Adjunct teaching applicants are expected to have strong oral and written communication skills and knowledgeable in the APA style of writing. Experience teaching at the post–secondary education level is preferred. Applicants are required to have a minimum of a Master’s degree in SOCIOLOGY OR SOCIAL WORK from an accredited institution and work experience in one of the following areas: sociology, social work, human services, counseling, cultural anthropology, or psychology. The degree must be closely related to the subject matter of the course you are applying to teach. A doctoral degree in SOCIOLOGY OR SOCIAL WORK is preferred. A 4-5 page writing sample using APA style (exclusive of cover and reference pages) is required. The writing sample must be an academic/scholarly paper that is relevant to the behavioral science/sociology field of interest; however, a Master's thesis and Doctorate dissertation are not acceptable writing samples. APA style as detailed in the 7th edition is imperative, therefore, a cover page and reference page are required. Peer reviewed sources should be referenced and cited, and:
- Applicants will demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence in working with colleagues and students of diverse backgrounds.
- Submit an exemplary writing sample, following the directions listed in the requirements listed above (this is required before applicants will be reviewed/considered).
- Understand the mission and values of Wilmington University.
- Submit a Teaching Philosophy, following these guidelines: Provide a description of your teaching philosophy. Your description should be no more than 1.5 pages in length and should include the following information: (1) A brief statement (5-7 sentences) explaining how you plan to provide excellence in teaching, relevancy of curriculum, and individual attention to students, which is the cornerstone of Wilmington University’s mission statement. (2) Based on your statement above, please briefly answer the following questions: (a) Explain your beliefs, theories and/or methods regarding teaching and how they shape your concept of successful teaching? (b) How do you know when you are teaching effectively? (c) How do you develop and maintain positive relationships with students? (d) How do you create a supportive learning environment? and (3) Include a summary of your thoughts on education and the role that you feel you could play in developing students to be successful in their discipline, career, and life. (This statement should be attached via the attachments area of the application.)
- Good computer skills, including proficiency with MS Office software.
- Experience in using CANVAS learning management system a plus.
- Qualified applicants, if selected, must be willing to complete Wilmington University’s CANVAS (Learning Management System) training, including a 3-week certification program for teaching online. Basic CANVAS training must be completed prior to teaching any classes.
- Must be able to abide by tight deadlines required of a 7-week Block format curriculum.
- Must have knowledge of various instructional strategies designed to meet the course instructional objectives and add to student learning.
- Must be able to develop a personalized syllabus designed to follow a generic syllabus provided by the University.
- Must be able to apply their relevant work experience to the instructional content of the course.
- Qualified Applicants may be asked to present a 10–minute teaching sample for the Program’s Director and Chair as part of the interview process.
To apply, complete the application, attach your resume, include a cover letter indicating any other relevant information not included in your application or resume, submit a copy of your transcripts for the highest degree earned, and attach an academic writing sample following the requirements listed above. Applications who do not include all of the information listed may not be considered.
Instructions for the Writing Sample
The Behavioral Science Program requires that all student papers be written and formatted using the style guide from the American Psychological Association (APA). Instructors can find guidance in The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (latest edition). Additional guidelines can be found online: http://www.apastyle.org/.
Writing sample requirements:
- A 4-5 page paper written in APA style using in-text citations and references.
- You may use a topic of your own choice, or if you would like suggestions, sample topics are listed below:
- Describe approaches to childcare and child raising from the perspective of different social classes.
- Why/How do women make decisions about investing in their careers versus investing in being with their children?
- What has been the greatest instrument of the most rapid social change?
- Explain why pizza is now America’s most popular food using Weber’s concept of rationalization.
- Describe the eating habits of the American family.
- How has identification with an ethnic group affected social solidarity?
- Why do social science majors make less money than students who major in one of the STEM programs?
- How would Karl Marx explain why many students do not know how to submit their schoolwork electronically?
- How does daydreaming add to improved student performance in the classroom?
- What advice would you give to a student who is assigned to do an evaluation study?
- What social policy has caused great change in American lifestyles and why?
- How would Durkheim, Marx, and Weber explain why youths might be attracted to join terrorist forces?
- Does religion still have something to offer modern society?
Limited Benefits: Tuition (after eligibility is met), 403(b) Employee Participation
