UMUC Europe - Bachelor's - Social Science Program

The social science major provides breadth of knowledge in the social sciences through interdisciplinary study in areas such as anthropology, behavioral sciences, economics, gerontology, government and politics, psychology, and sociology and depth through focused study in a single area. It also offers depth and focus through selection of core courses in one social science area. Graduates in social science may pursue a variety of careers in which understanding of social science issues in important, including business administration, elder care, government, health services, law enforcement, human resources, and community service.

Objectives

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

Explain basic foundational concepts of sociology.
Identify similarities and differences among the social science disciplines in terms of theories, methods, and applications.
Apply micro and macro levels of analysis to social science investigation.
Describe the principles and ethical standards that underlie professional responsibilities and conduct for social scientists.
Critically analyze social science issues within larger historical and global contexts.
Analyze social issues through integration and synthesis of concepts and research methods from different social science disciplines.
Explain the role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods across social science disciplines.

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:

Required statistics course (3 credits): STAT 230 (or STAT 200)
Required introductory courses (6 credits): BEHS 210 and SOCY 100
Foundation course (3 credits): Chosen from CCJS 105, ECON 201 and 203, GEOG 100 and 110, GERO 100, GVPT 100, and PSYC 100
Core courses (9 credits in a single area): Chosen from applicable CCJS courses (350, 360, 454, and 461); any ANTH and SOCY courses; any GVPT courses; any GERO courses; or any PSYC courses (Note: Anthropology and sociology are considered to constitute a single area; in all other cases, courses must be chosen from a single discipline.)
Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from any ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GERO, GVPT, PSYC, and SOCY courses and CCJS 350, 360, 454, and 461

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) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Social Science Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or MATH 107 College Algebra
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 BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 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)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

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 fulfill 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 ARTH
or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing
or speech

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

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics 3
(recommended elective)

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

A first of three core courses in a single area (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)

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

Required for the major

UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010. (pdf 3.2MB)

Last updated: 10 August 2009