Faculty Data
Department of Social Science
Social Work Major

Faculty Data

Majors: Sociology, Psychology, Gerontology, and Social Work
Al-Taie, Ali
(1989); PhD, University of Oklahoma; Department Chair and Associate Professor of Sociology
Office: 8333/8385; aaltaie@shawu.edu

Algood, Carl
(1976); MSW, New York University; Assistant Professor of Social Work (Durham CAPE)
Office: 6905; calgood@shawu.edu

Bunch, Carol D.
(2000); PhD, University of Kentucky; Assistant Professor of Psychology
Office: 8390; cbunch@shawu.edu

Chung, InSoo
(2004); PhD, University of South Carolina; Assistant Professor of Social Work
Office: 5881; ichung@shawu.edu

Corrigan, Matthew J.
(2004); PhD., University of New York; Assistant Professor of Social Work (Rocky Mount CAPE)
Office: 6312; mcorrigan@shawu.edu

Denning, Pamela F.
(2004); PhD, Capella University; Assistant Professor of Social Work
Office: 5880; pdenning@shawu.edu

Graham, Cynthia
(2002); MS, Troy State University; Instructor of Criminal Justice
Office: 8384; cgraham@shawu.edu

Hakeem, Farrukh B.
(1996); PhD, University of New York; Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Office: 8386; fhakeem@shawu.edu

Imade, Lucky Osagie
(1997); PhD, Clark Atlanta University; Assistant Professor of International Relations
Office: 8388; limade@shawu.edu

Kennedy, Dorrance
(1996); MSW, Southern University at New Orleans Assistant Professor of Social Work(Fayetteville CAPE)
Office: 6206; dkennedy@shawu.edu

Lockett, Griffin D.
(2000); PhD, Catholic University of America;
Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of Program of The Social Work
Office: 8599; lockettg@shawu.edu

Offoha, Marcellina
(1997); PhD, Temple University; Assistant Professor of Sociology(Rocky Mount CAPE)
Office: 6300; moffoha@shawu.edu

Prior, Michael K.
(2003); PhD, University of Texas; Assistant Professor of Social Work
Office: 8483; mprior@shawu.edu

Richardson, Joseph
(1982); PhD, Cornell University; Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Office: 8380; jrichardson@shawu.edu

Riggins, Lana A.
(2000); PhD, California School of Professional Psychology; Assistant Professor of Psychology
Office: 8598; lriggins@shawu.edu

Smith, Robert
(1999); M.A., University of Central Texas; Instructor of Criminal Justice (Greenville CAPE)
Office: 6301; rsmith@shawu.edu

Witten, Vaughan C.
(1979); PhD, North Carolina State University; Associate Professor of Psychology (Fayetteville CAPE)
Office: 6201; vwitten@shawu.edu

Wortham, Carol B.
(1990); PhD, Emory University; Assistant Professor of Social Science
Office: 8363; cwortham@shawu.edu

Yarborough, Elaine H.
(1996); PhD, Howard University; Associate Professor of Political Science
 Office: 8375; eyarborough@shawu.edu

Zaarour, Khodr M.
(2000); MA, University of Pittsburgh; Instructor of International Relations and Political Science
Office: 8381; kzaarour@shawu.edu

Department of Social Science
(Sociology, Psychology, Gerontology, & Social Work)

Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Concentration Gerontology), Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & BSW in Social Work

Purpose of Department
The primary purpose of this Department is to provide students with a liberal arts education that enables them to initiate employment career or to pursue their education in graduate or professional schools. Students of the Department will attain fundamental knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, theories, research methods, and skills in critical thinking and problem solving. Students will also develop awareness about the value of life and commitment to human principles.

The Department offers the following majors:
- Sociology
- Sociology (Concentration Gerontology)
- Psychology
- Social Work

Students majoring in sociology, sociology as gerontology concentration, and psychology, are required to complete 120 semester hours. This total is divided into the following: University Core (48 semester hours), Department Core (18 semester hours), Major Core (30 semester hours) and Electives (24 semester hours), which are divided into Restricted and General/Free Electives and which will be determined by the respective academic advisor. In the case of the social work major, all courses are required.

The Department offers a course set of four for its students and for students from other departments. This course set addresses Evaluation Research (EVR) and is listed under the major of sociology.

Major in Psychology: Psychology is the systematic study of individuals’ behavior, affect, and mental processes. This major acquaints students with the fundamental concepts, theories, and methods of scientific research of the discipline. The major also allows students to apply psychological principles to everyday life.

Major in Social Work: Social work seeks to remediate human problems by directly helping the affected groups and individuals, and by enabling them to stand on their feet when possible. Social work is intertwined with the system of social welfare. The idea of social welfare itself is rooted in the assumption that a decent human society should provide reasonable opportunity, security, and service for its members, especially those in need. The major helps students to understand social work as principles, themes, and practices all which are connected to the existing system of social welfare.

Major in Sociology: Sociology is the study of society as a web of diverse and numerous social groups that interact with one another based on the respective values and norms. Students majoring in sociology will learn about society’s many social institutions, social groups, social structures, and social processes, and the forces that underlie social change and stability in society.

Major in Gerontology: Gerontology is the study of the aged and the aging process. The major is designed to help students understand the status of the elderly and to give them an appreciation for gerontology. In the process of their educational career, students will learn about theories, concepts, principles, and problems related to aging. They will also gain insight into the society’s response to old age and how this influences the aging process.