• Faculty
• Description
• Major Requirements
• Program Policies
• Course Descriptions

Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, Assistant Professor of Psychology (program chair)
Dr. Christopher Bishop, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Deborah Harris O’Brien, Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Roberta Goldberg, Professor of Sociology
Dr. Konia Kollehlon, Associate Professor of Sociology
Dr. Roxana Moayedi, Associate Professor of Sociology
Dr. Carlota Ocampo, CAS Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Debbie Van Camp, Assistant Professor of Psychology

The Human Relations major offers students the opportunity to develop a scholarly perspective in the two major social science areas of psychology and sociology, as complementary ways of understanding human behavior and the social world. This interdisciplinary approach fosters greater intellectual sophistication by demonstrating how these disciplines, both separately and combined, interpret the world and endeavor to answer a wide range of questions concerning human behavior and group life.

The Human Relations major embodies many of the primary goals of the Trinity curriculum by focusing on issues of gender, diversity, social justice, ethics, public policy, and technology. The Human Relations program is committed to experiential and service learning outside the classroom by promoting internships and practica in students’ areas of interest. The program also offers interdisciplinary connections to other academic programs designed for the wider Trinity community. Students of Human Relations encounter numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills and are prepared to continue in graduate school or careers in areas of education, social work, counseling, public policy, the non-profit sector, psychology, sociology, management, and other fields which require social interaction and analysis.

The Human Relations program supports a major in the College of Arts and Sciences. A minor is not offered. CAS students who major in human relations may not minor in general psychology or sociology but may minor in forensic psychology or criminal justice.

Required Courses (36 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

• SOCY 100
• PSYC 101
• MATH 110
• SOCY 311
  • Pre-requisites:
    SOCY 100
    PSYC 101
    MATH 110
  • students may substitute:
    PSYC 301
    or
    HUMR 311
• HUMR 499
  • Pre-requisite:
    SOCY 311
    or
    HUMR 311
    or
    PSYC 301

ONE of the following psychology courses (PSYC 101 is pre-requisite):

• PSYC 211
• PSYC 221
• PSYC 231

ONE of the following sociology courses (SOCY 100 is pre-requisite):

• SOCY 321
• SOCY 421

TWO additional sociology courses at the 200-level or higher

TWO additional psychology courses at the 200-level or higher (one course may be PSYC 490; students may substitute ONE HUMR course*)

ONE additional approved psychology, sociology, or human relations course (may be PSYC 490)

Human Relations electives include:

• HUMR 211
• HUMR 212
• HUMR 301
• HUMR 350
• HUMR 420

Human Relations students with junior or senior status are eligible for:

• PSYC 490
• PSYC 491

Selected human relations, interdisciplinary, business, economics, philosophy, political science, and graduate courses MAY also be substituted for one of the required electives WITH permission of the student’s advisor and/or chair of the program (no more than one of these courses may be counted as part of the total of 12 required courses for the major).

Senior Comprehensive Portfolio

The senior assessment in Human Relations is not a comprehensive exam but rather a Senior Comprehensive Portfolio Project which requires students to document, reflect on and assess their own academic progress and learning. Specific requirements and due dates (usually the end of January) are distributed to seniors in the Fall semester of their graduation year. In order to prepare the portfolio self-assessment, students should keep copies of written course work, graded papers, and exams from all psychology, sociology, and human relations courses they have taken. While requirements for the portfolio vary slightly from year to year, students are generally required to assess several academic products, currently one psychology and one sociology paper or other written work.  Students also complete a short topical essay and produce a narrative of their academic experience.  Students must submit the portfolio by the due date in their graduation year and must receive a passing grade in order to graduate. Portfolios submitted after the due date will not be considered for graduation in that semester.

Course Selection and Planning

Students should obtain an Academic Plan which includes suggested sequencing for human relations courses from their advisors or the chair of the program. The suggested sequencing sheet lays out an overall plan for the correct sequencing and timely completion of courses in the major. It also includes information on prerequisites for major courses, such as the prerequisite of MATH 109 for MATH 110, which in turn is a prerequisite for SOCY 311 (or PSYC 301), which in turn is a prerequisite for HUMR 499.

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned from AP examinations do not count toward the major.

CLEP Policy:
Students applying for credit from CLEP examination results should consult with the program faculty.

Grades in Major Courses:
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. Only courses in which the student has earned a C- or above can be accepted as fulfilling major requirements. Students must achieve a passing grade on the Senior Comprehensive Portfolio.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment:
Students must prepare and complete the Senior Comprehensive Portfolio.

TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty.

Transfer Credits:
Credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major from a similar institution may be accepted towards the major. Students majoring in human relations must take a minimum of two psychology and two sociology courses at Trinity in addition to HUMR 499.

Senior Seminar:
HUMR 499 may not be taken in SPS. This course must be taken in CAS.

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Course Descriptions