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WebTychoSocial 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) may be found on the GER page.
First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)
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 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 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 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)
Last updated: 24 January 2008