 Bachelor
of Arts in the Social Sciences
The Bachelor of Arts Program major in the Social Sciences program
is a special program designed to meet the needs of students who
are curious, critical, concerned, and practical. Curious about themselves. Wondering about human relationships
and the forces that bind and dissolve whole communities and
nations. Curious about human origins
and destinies, about language and communication. Wondering why people and
governments differ, and how they got to be that way. Wondering
what the present and the past
can tell an individual about the future, in the Philippines and elsewhere.
Critical about what they read or hear or see. Careful to
distinguish what is from what ought to be, and from what
others say it
is. Aware of the rules of
logic and method, yet honoring the gift of true insight as well. Able to
analyze and weigh the traditional values of one’s own and other cultures and
to conclude with a deeper and more conscious respect for both.
Concerned about the Filipinos and all human beings, about
this nation’s
resources and the world’s. Anxious to learn how to help solve or mitigate
great problems such as social inequality, corruption, environmental destruction,
overpopulation, and disease. Moved by intelligent compassion for the masses.
Practical in preparing for jobs with people, about people.
Bringing to them certain skills, a deep and broad understanding
of the human condition. Ready and eager
for the in-service training that employers expect to impart. Or well-prepared
for further professional schooling.
For students who are curious, critical, concerned, and practical – and
for those who accept this ideal as a worthy one for themselves, the Bachelor
of Arts major in Social Sciences may be of service. It is designed to inform
the curious, lend rigor to the critical, guide the concerned, and prepare the
practical.
Minor in Cultural Heritage Program
Cultural heritage (dakilang pamana)
refers to traditional specialized practices and products that
distinguish a particular society from others
and that can be major to enhance a country’s international
standing and to create industries for its people.
Generally,
however, there is little appreciation for the value of cultural
heritage in the Philippines. Some see cultural
heritage as inimical to "development" and "progress." There
is also a persistent confusion about what should be regarded
as "Filipino" and what should not. Mindless
development has destroyed once-beautiful urban vistas and
has blotted
out masterpieces of Filipino architecture. Only now are schools
dealing with the issue of cultural heritage. As well, only
recently are specialists involved in developing tours that
can give the visitor an appreciation of a community’s
history, culture, and art. Filipinos have opened a stall
in the international marketplace, using aspects of their
cultural
heritage, for instance in the fields of furniture and home
accessories design. But more needs to be done.
The Department's
Cultural Heritage Program offers a minor on Cultural Heritage
which is open to any undergraduate
student of Ateneo. The program aims to train students who wish
to tackle issues relating to cultural heritage and develop
actions aimed at maintaining elements of cultural heritage
such as styles of dressing, painting and streetscape, among
others. Its activities include setting up social laboratories
in historic parts of Quiapo and Malolos for the purpose of
promoting sensitivity to aspects of cultural heritage that
need to be protected and managed, and developing a video series
on Philippine Society and Culture. Minor in Sociology
The Minor in Sociology program aims to provide
the Ateneo student majoring in fields other than the Social
Sciences the
basic background and research skills to undertake systematic
social analyses. This objective is achieved by an assemblage
of substantive courses, methods courses, and a formal practicum
course.
The prerequisite for the interested student
is that his/her major program has sufficient room in the curriculum
and schedule
for the minor program. The Minor Program in Sociology could
be combined with specialized training in such diverse areas
as economics and business, the humanities, and the natural
sciences to help broaden and strengthen the student’s
preparation for a focused career in these areas. |
