Greetings to our current students, colleagues, alums, prospective students and friends!

A lot has changed for our program at Truman State University in the last year and a half. Now that things have calmed down just a little, we’re anxious to share with you how we’re changing and how you can help make the department and its programs stronger.

July 1st 2007, the Sociology/Anthropology and Geography disciplines from the Social Science Division joined forces to become the new Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology. On July 1, 2009, we became the Department of Society and Environment. Just as classes were starting in August 2007 we moved into newly renovated office, classroom and lab space on the second floor of Barnett Hall where we share a support office with Justice Systems. Despite these administrative and facility changes, much departmental activity continues as usual. We have hosted numerous visiting scholars in classes and for lectures on campus. Faculty continue to participate in their fields as active scholars. Students continue to engage in learning through classes and other rich experiences. Graduates continue to report success as they negotiate the transition in their lives after Truman.

Our first year as a department we started a discussion about the future of the department and how best to integrate our three disciplines. We have just completed developing a proposal to redesign curriculum in the department, starting with the Sociology/Anthropology major. The new curriculum will roll out in front of students who entered this fall – exciting new features include

• coordinated development of critical thinking skills

• a new proseminar to build a sense of community among new majors

• an integrated method and theory core spring 2nd /fall 3rd year

• no required courses spring 3rd year to encourage study abroad, internships, research and service learning projects

• a redesigned senior seminar to focus on graduate school and/or career preparation and polishing a product from one upper level course for wider distribution

Many features of this curriculum were suggested by recent graduates as they participated in senior seminar discussions. We are excited by the possibilities for enhancing learning across the curriculum and for engaging our students in some of the topics that attract our own interest in the upper level courses. Some current students admit being jealous of those who will experience this new program.

Our new department has gotten off to an encouraging start. We have established a regular pattern of communicating announcements through weekly updates via email. We have begun a tradition of picnics in Red Barn Park to welcome new majors in the fall and celebrate graduates in the spring. We are organizing information for our web site and newsletter to create a sense of community, to celebrate our successes, and to facilitate communication with current, former and prospective students and other interested parties. We are exploring the possibility of developing greater depth in Geography, and especially in support for applications of Geographic Information Science. We are developing a range of new study abroad and internship opportunities. We have welcomed two new faculty members this year and look forward to seeing alums at our Homecoming Reception. Enjoy the newsletter and let us know how you would like to be involved!

Sincerely,
Dr. Amber Johnson
Chair, Department of Society and Environment