Welcome
Why do we do what we do? What difference can an individual make? How are all religions the same? Why do we have governments? What happened in the past and how does that impact the present? If you have ever wondered about these questions, then the Department of Social Sciences and History in the School of Liberal Arts at Dalton State College is for you. We focus on several academic areas that are critical to answering those and many other questions. Included in the department are the areas of criminal justice, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology.
We offer a B. A degree in History, and students pursuing the BA in History may also choose to add an optional Secondary Education concentration. We offer B.S. degrees in both Criminal Justice and in Psychology. We also offer several minors including African American Studies, Criminal Justice, Global Studies, History, Latina/o and Latin American Studies, and Psychology. Moreover, our faculty teach a range of courses in the areas that support the college’s General Education Core Curriculum at Dalton State.
Though our programs and courses, you can learn about personal and social behavior of individuals and the impact of government on our lives. You can explore primitive societies as well as modern societies from a variety of different academic perspectives. You can look at the normal, the abnormal, and the criminal. And you can try to come to an understanding about the meaning of life! Plus, our degrees equip students with the research, writing, and critical thinking skills in demand in today’s workforce.
Our faculty is exceptionally well-prepared and brings to the classroom a range of experiences in both the academic and non-academic worlds. In addition to outstanding teaching, our faculty do research, present papers at academic conferences, sponsor clubs and activities on campus, take students on field trips, and give talks and presentations nationally and internationally. However, the overriding focus of our faculty is on the education of our students in the classroom and in the preparation of our students for life beyond Dalton State, whether it be in professional careers or in post-baccalaureate education. Please take some time to explore our site. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions. I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Sarah K. Mergel, Chair
Professor of History
Mission Statement
The primary purpose of the Department of Social Sciences and History is to provide excellent instruction in criminal justice, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The department houses various baccalaureate programs of Dalton State College, including the B.A. in History, the B.A. in History with Secondary Teacher Certification, the B.S. in Criminal Justice, and the B.S. in Psychology. Plus, courses in these areas support the General Education Core Curriculum.
In addition to academic instruction, department faculty are dedicated to helping students develop an ability to acquire and analyze data, understand diverse relationships, determine critical variables and draw accurate conclusions, critically evaluate issues related to the society and culture of the United States and the world at large, engage in academic and professional writing, and establish appropriate ethical values. These all serve to prepare students for professional employment in related areas or for further education in graduate or professional school.
Programs of Study
Explore the diverse range of programs we offer to help you embark on a fulfilling journey in the fields of Social Sciences and History at Dalton State.
