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Social Science

Students may seek either an academic major in social science.

Major in Social Science

The social science major is interdisciplinary and provides breadth of knowledge through coursework in such areas as gerontology, government and politics, and sociology. It also offers depth by giving students the opportunity to select core courses from one of these social science areas.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in social science will be able to

• Formulate a description of the roles of the different social science disciplines in understanding social reality, addressing social issues, and enhancing human welfare.
• Identify similarities and differences among the social science disciplines.
• Formulate an integrated analysis of social issues and/or social reality by synthesizing concepts and research methods from the different social science disciplines that relate to the particular social reality or social issue under investigation.
• Communicate social science concepts and terminology effectively.
• Apply micro and macro levels of analysis and an integrated, interdisciplinary perspective to an investigation of problems in the social sciences.
• Critically analyze social science issues within larger historical and global contexts.
• Articulate the policy implications of social science research and theory for policy and programs.
• Use information technology to access and retrieve social science literature.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in social science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Social Science Major

Coursework for a major in social science includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in social science. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

ENGL 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

BEHS 210 Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science (3)

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

STAT 230 Business Statistics (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course(s) to fulffll the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differ from first) and the cross-curricular requirement for historical perspective

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

GERO 100 Introduction to Gerontology (3)
or other foundation course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)
or ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing and the cross-curricular requirement for civic responsibility

ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

ENGL 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/upper-level intensive writing

A first core course for the major (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

A second core course for the major in the same discipline as the first (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

A third core course for the major in the same discipline as the first and the second (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

A supplemental major course (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

A supplemental major course (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

A supplemental major course (3) (see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BS in social science (120)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 16 October 2006