True to the liberal arts tradition, social science courses at Transylvania stimulate students to read, write, and think in critical and analytical ways. This method of discovering knowledge and ideas sets an intellectual pattern that will serve you well regardless of what career path you choose.
Majors included in this division are anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology/anthropology, and women's studies.
History
In addition to its substantial offerings in United States history and Western civilization, Transy’s history curriculum is distinguished by its strong focus on non-Western topics.
The program emphasizes research methods and seminar courses that sharpen investigative skills and lead students on voyages of historical discovery. This approach will enable you to become an actual historian who conducts original research. Transy history students regularly win prizes for their research and writing; two students recently had their work published in a refereed journal.
Learning experiences outside the classroom abound in the history program. May term travel courses may take you to Washington, D.C., Spain, or England. Other events, like the William R. Kenan Jr. Lecture Series, bring history to campus with notable figures like Civil War historian Shelby Foote.
Faculty Members:
- Melissa A. McEuen; Associate Professor of History; B.A., Georgetown College; M.A., Ph.D., Louisiana State University.
- Frank Russell; Associate Professor of History; B.A., Loyola Marymount University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles.
- Kenneth D. Slepyan; Associate Professor of History; B.A., Williams College; M.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan.
- Gregg Bocketti; Assistant Professor of History; B.A., Hartwick College; M.A., Ph.D., Tulane University.
Political Science
The rigorous course of study in this program looks at historical and contemporary themes in politics and aims to help students develop a sense of context about the world in which they live.
Political science examines how people interact in the public arena. If the workings of government at the community, state, national, and international levels interest you, political science courses will give you the theoretical and practical background to better understand these complex policy issues that affect virtually everyone.
Beyond course content, the program stresses the cultivation of good analytic skills through reading, writing, research, and oral presentations. Research projects in political science often take students far beyond the classroom. The program has continuously sent majors to study at prestigious British universities, providing unique opportunities to understand the world and make a difference.
Faculty Members:
- Don Thomas Dugi; Professor of Political Science; B.A., M.A., St Mary’s University; Ph.D., Purdue University.
- Jeffrey B. Freyman; Professor of Political Science; B.A., Williams College; Ph.D., The George Washington University.
- Sakah S. Mahmud; Associate Professor of Political Science; B.S., Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria; M.A., Ph.D., University of Denver.
Psychology
Transy’s psychology program considers all aspects of human functioning, including the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social realms.
The program will give you a solid grounding in both the experimental and applied aspects of the discipline. There are opportunities for internships in the community and for collaborating with faculty on research. Students have won state and regional awards for their projects, including top honors from the Kentucky Psychological Association.
Many of our graduates continue their education in graduate and professional schools, either in psychology or in areas like law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. Some students enter the job market after graduation from Transylvania, using their bachelor’s degree in psychology to excel in a variety of fields.
Faculty Members:
- Margaret B. Upchurch; Professor of Psychology; B.S., Michigan State University; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin.
- Todd Frederick Van Denburg; Associate Professor of Psychology; B.A., Drury College; M.A., Hollins College; Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Mark. A. Jackson; Assistant Professor of Psychology; B.A., University of Memphis; M.A., Ph.D., University of Kentucky.
- Melissa Fortner; Assistant Professor of Psychology; B.A., Transylvania University; M.S., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University.
Sociology/Anthropology
The program in sociology, anthropology, and communication will provide you with opportunities to apply your classroom learning to real-world experiences through international and local travel and internships in local agencies.
Human behavior from group and cultural perspectives is the primary focus of sociology and anthropology. Sociology tends to look at contemporary issues in our own society, while anthropology traditionally has a more cross-cultural outlook. Communication courses help students refine writing and speaking skills, and stress critical thinking, argumentation, and debate.
Competitions, internships, and travel are integral parts of the program. Transy’s forensics and academic teams have won state championships, and our majors have completed internships at such places as the American Cancer Society and the Lexington Rape Crisis Center. Students interested in archaeology have worked as interns at the University of Kentucky and Cultural Resource Analysts, and have had the opportunity to take a May term field school in historical archaeology.
Faculty Members:
- Christopher Begley; Assistant Professor of Anthropology; B.A., Transylvania University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Chicago.
- Barbara LoMonaco; Associate Professor of Anthropology; B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Southern Methodist University.
- Brian L. Rich; Associate Professor of Sociology; B.A., University of California-San Diego; M.A., California State University; Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley.
- James Richard Thompson; Associate Professor of Sociology; B.A., Centre College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Kentucky.
Anthropology
We are pleased to announce a new major in Anthropology that will offer students greater opportunities for in-depth study in this academic area.
Anthropology is the comparative, cross-cultural study of human experience and behavior, and is typically divided into four subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and linguistics.
Transy’s program emphasizes cultural anthropology and archaeology, seeking to provide students with a broad base for understanding and interpreting human action in a variety of pre-historical, historical, and contemporary contexts. Course offerings represent a wide range of topical areas including religion, health and healing systems, gender studies, development, human origins and evolution, and Latin American archaeology.
Women's Studies
Women's studies at Transylvania University is an interdisciplinary academic program which aims to expand students' understanding and appreciation of women's lives and experiences both historically and in contemporary societies worldwide. In the women's studies curriculum, students learn how the application of a gendered lens has challenged traditional historical and cultural assumptions while they gain a systematic knowledge of scholarship about women and gender. Women's studies courses emphasize critical thinking within an interdisciplinary context.
The women's studies program contributes to the teaching, research, and service missions of the University by furthering University and societal goals of diversity, tolerance, and equity.
Faculty Members:
- Lissa Ellen Cox; Women's Studies Interim Program Director; B.A., Miami University of Ohio; M.A., Ph.D., DePaul University.
- Simona Fojtová; Visiting Assistant Professor of Women's Studies; M.A., Masaryk University; M.A., Ph.D., University of New Mexico.
