School of Undergraduate Studies

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Social Science

Major in Social Science

The sociological perspective is critical for working effectively in today's multiethnic and multinational business environment. Gain valuable insight into important social factors by augmenting your education with a minor in sociology.

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; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upperlevel courses (numbered 300 or above).

Course Requirements for the Social Science Major

Required statistics course (3 credits): STAT 230 (or 200 or 225)
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
Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: MATH 107

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all 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 advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

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

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

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
(strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 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, GERO, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
Both 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 biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (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 to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
‡ 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 arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
‡ GERO 100 Introduction to Gerontology (3) or ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics or other foundation course for the major
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
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 communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
‡ A first core course for the major (3)
‡ A second core course for the major (3) (in the same discipline as the first)
‡ A third core course for the major (3) (in the same discipline as the first and second)
‡ Any ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GERO, GVPT, PSYC, or SOCY course or qualifying CCJS course (3) (supplemental major course)
‡ A supplemental major course (3)
‡ A supplemental major course (3)