Welcome to the Department of Government, Social Work & Sociology!

The discipline of Government studies political institutions, the political behavior of groups, and the political behavior of individuals within groups. More specifically, the discipline of Government includes the study of American and foreign entities, political history, constitutional and policy issues, interest groups, and the media. Although the field is sufficiently diverse to cover virtually any topic of a political nature, a traditional curriculum comprised of several subfields is widely recognized and is included in the Government and Public Affairs major at Missouri Western.

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to work with people. Social workers assist individuals, families, groups, organizations or communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and work to create the societal conditions necessary for people to flourish. Social workers are employed in both public and private human service agencies as well as in private corporations and often work directly with people by linking them with needed resources, providing counseling, and/or advocating for needed services. Social workers also work behind the scenes by developing needed human service programs or by shaping the social welfare policies that guide human services.

Sociology is the study of group life, social interactions, and relationships in society. Sociology deals with issues relevant to people and social life. Sociology is concerned with such topics as marriage and the family, urban and rural life, crimes, social class, race and ethnicity, sex and gender, demographic changes, environment, technology and communication-to name a few. Sociology addresses these and other pressing contemporary issues by applying the systematic methods of scientific research.

ANNOUNCING: A Sociology Major is now available at Western! Information about this major will be updated. The Sociology Minor continues to be offered.