Social Science Major, B.A.; B.S.

B.A. degree; B.S. degree

The Social Science Major is an interdisciplinary program useful for students with a general interest in the social sciences. The major complements a wide variety of minors in the social sciences as well as minors in communications, entrepreneurship, sustainability and environmental policy, geographic information science, journalism, leadership, and military science. The major is also a flexible program useful for students who are changing their majors late in their undergraduate program. The Social Science major is similar to the social studies major, but does not lead to K-12 certification. Students will be assigned an advisor in their focus area or be advised by the Chair of the Social Science Council.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

1. Count no grade lower than C- toward the major.
2. Double count no more than nine hours from an accompanying minor.

Program Requirements

Required Courses I (12 hours)

GEO 121	Human Geography and Globalization	3(3-0)
HST 111	The Quest for Liberty: The United States to 1865	3(3-0)
PSC 105	Introduction to American Government and Politics	3(3-0)

plus one additional course in Economics (ECO) or Sociology (SOC) for 3 hours.

Required Courses II (9-10 hours)

Select 9 to 10 hours, one course from each of the following groups:

Group 1

Select one of the following:

GEO 350	United States and Canada	3(3-0)
GEO 373	Latin America	3(3-0)

Group 2

Select one of the following:

HST 301	The Craft of History	4(4-0)
HST 333	History of Michigan	3(3-0)

Group 3

Select one of the following:

PSC 150	Introduction to International Relations	3(3-0)
PSC 261	State and Local Government	3(3-0)

Required Courses III (12 hours)

Twelve (12) additional hours in a single social science discipline from the following designators: ECO, GEO, HST, PSC, or SOC. At least six of these hours must be at the 300 level or higher.

Required Courses IV (1 hour)

Select one of the following:

GEO 397	Independent Study	1-6(Spec)
HST 497	Special Studies	1-6(Spec)
PSC 390	Independent Study	1-6(Spec)
PSC 590	Independent Study	1-6(Spec)

Note: Students must enroll in one of the four courses listed above for one credit hour in consultation with the major advisor to complete a portfolio project on a social science topic appropriate to the area of emphasis.

Electives (3 hours)

Three additional hours at the 300 level or higher in a discipline other than the one chosen in Required Courses III, from one of the following designators: ECO, GEO, HST, PSC, or SOC.

Total: 37-38 semester hours