Penn Arts and Sciences Offering Four New Minors

As of this fall, Penn Arts and Sciences will offer four new options for minors to undergraduates at Penn. The new fields of study will be in archaeological science, East Central European studies, law and society, and medical sociology.

CAAM Minor in Archaeological Science
Penn’s new Center for Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM) is a collaboration between Penn Arts and Sciences and the Penn Museum, consisting of newly refurbished laboratory spaces in the Museum. CAAM is contiguous with the Museum’s conservation facilities, which contain essential equipment for the lab-based teaching and research involved in archaeology. For the CAAM minor in archaeological science, students will take a series of courses at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. An archaeology/culture class will emphasize the importance of developing an interpretive framework for the scientific analysis, while the capstone course provides a research experience.

Interdisciplinary Minor in East Central European Studies (ECES)
This program will offer students the opportunity for the integrated, interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, language, literature, and culture of this important strategic region, which includes the Baltic states, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovak Republic, and Ukraine.  These nations share a complicated history but also possess their own regional identity and unique culture and languages. East Central Europe is its own region of study with a history at the edge and, at the same time, the core of European politics and culture. Managing the challenges and opportunities there will be increasingly high on the international agenda in years ahead.

Law and Society
The law and society minor gives students the opportunity to study and understand the law within a sociological framework, by examining the factors that affect variations in the law as well as how those variations affect individuals and populations differently. Along with a theoretical foundation in sociology, students will examine issues involving the state and its relationships to other institutions, civil liberties, punishment and detention, and more. The required course Introduction to Sociological Research will allow students to develop their research capabilities. The minor prepares students interested in graduate studies in law, applied community organization, or business.

Medical Sociology
The medical sociology minor gives students a theoretical foundation in sociology and the opportunity to engage in the sociological study of medicine and the health of populations. A sociological perspective on medicine allows students to critically engage with the social and cultural framing of what is defined as “illness,” the structural factors that may contribute to those illnesses, and the interactive dynamics between healthcare providers and patients. Students will be able to critically connect the organization of social groups with the profession of medicine, the practice of medical care, and the social factors that contribute to sickness and well-being. A key advantage of this minor will be the increased knowledge of research methods the students will gain, along with empirical and theoretical knowledge about the sociology of medicine.