Social Science (BS)
The BS degree in Social Science provides students with the opportunity to study the diversity of the human experience from the perspectives of the various social science disciplines. The curriculum structure exposes students to the basic content and approach of each of the disciplines within the Department of Social Science (Anthropology, Environmental Planning, Geography, History, Political Science, and Sociology), while also allowing students the flexibility to pursue specific areas of interest.
This interdisciplinary program provides students with valuable skills of research, writing, and decision making, utilizing the perspectives and methodologies of the various social sciences. The program provides a basic background for future graduate work in any of the social sciences and a well-rounded liberal education for future careers in business, non-profit agencies, government, and other similar areas.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Sciences Foundations | ||
| Complete one 1000/2000 level course from one of the following disciplines: | 3-4 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) | |
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) | |
SO | Sociology (not SODI) | |
| Economic Foundations | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Economics (GACO) | ||
| Economics for Educators | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Global Foundations | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Foundations of Anthropology (GACO) | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Modern World History, 1500 to Present (GACO) | ||
| World Politics (GACO) | ||
| Introduction to Travel and Tourism (GACO) | ||
| Political and Historical Foundations | ||
| HI 2223 | Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO,WRCO) | 4 |
| PO 1025 | American Government | 4 |
| Social Science Foundation Core | ||
| Complete one 1000/2000 level course from any of the following disciplines: | 3-4 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) | |
EC | Economics (not ECDI) | |
GE | Geography (not GEDI) | |
HI | History (not HIDI) | |
PO | Political Science (not PODI) | |
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) | |
SO | Sociology (not SODI) | |
SSE | Social Studies Education | |
| Upper-Division Concentration Disciplines (3000/4000 Level) | ||
| HI 3571 | Interrogating US History (DICO,TECO) | 4 |
| Complete at least two courses of 3000/4000 level in ANY TWO of the following disciplines 1 | 12-16 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) | |
EC | Economics (not ECDI) | |
GE | Geography (not GEDI) | |
HI | History (not HIDI) | |
PO | Political Science (not PODI) | |
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) | |
SO | Sociology (not SODI) | |
| Social Science Upper-Level Electives | ||
| Complete at least two courses of 3000/4000 level in any of the following disciplines: | 6-8 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) | |
EC | Economics (not ECDI) | |
EPL | Environmental Planning | |
GE | Geography (not GEDI) | |
HI | History (not HIDI) | |
PO | Political Science (not PODI) | |
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) | |
SO | Sociology (not SODI) | |
SSE | Social Studies Education | |
TMP | Tourism Management and Policy | |
| Technology in the Discipline Connection | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Methods of Social Research (TECO) | ||
| Technical Communication (TECO,WRCO) | ||
| Classroom Planning, Management, and Organization for Middle School and Secondary Educators (TECO) | ||
| GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) | ||
| History Capstone Seminar (TECO) | ||
| Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO) | ||
| Methods of Social Research (TECO) | ||
| General Education | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 2 | 4-8 | |
| DICO | Diversity Connection | 3-4 |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 16-25 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Writing in the Discipline Connection must be completed in a Concentration discipline.
- 2
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| PO 1025 | American Government | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 3-6 | |
| Credits | 24-30 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Complete one Behavioral Sciences Foundations Course from the following: | 3-4 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) |
|
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) |
|
SO | Sociology (not SODI) |
|
| Complete one Economics Foundations Course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Economics (GACO) | ||
| Economics for Educators | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Complete one Global Foundations Course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Foundations of Anthropology (GACO) | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Modern World History, 1500 to Present (GACO) | ||
| World Politics (GACO) | ||
| Introduction to Travel and Tourism (GACO) | ||
| Complete one Social Science Core, 1000/2000 level Course from the following: | 3-4 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) |
|
EC | Economics (not ECDI) |
|
GE | Geography (not GEDI) |
|
HI | History (not HIDI) |
|
PO | Political Science (not PODI) |
|
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) |
|
SO | Sociology (not SODI) |
|
SSE | Social Studies Education |
|
| Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO,WRCO) | ||
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| Elective | 2-4 | |
| Credits | 24-36 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Complete two Concentration Disciplines from the following: 2 | 8 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) |
|
EC | Economics (not ECDI) |
|
GE | Geography (not GEDI) |
|
PO | Political Science (not PODI) |
|
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) |
|
SO | Sociology (not SODI) |
|
| DICO | Diversity Connection | 3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 16 | |
| Credits | 30-32 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Complete at least eight credits of 3000/4000 level Social Science Upper-level Electives from the following: | 8 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) |
|
EC | Economics (not ECDI) |
|
EPL | Environmental Planning |
|
GE | Geography (not GEDI) |
|
HI | History (not HIDI) |
|
PO | Political Science (not PODI) |
|
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) |
|
SO | Sociology (not SODI) |
|
SSE | Social Studies Education |
|
TMP | Tourism Management and Policy |
|
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 3-4 |
| HI 3571 | Interrogating US History (DICO,TECO) | 4 |
| Complete one Technology Discipline Connection Course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Methods of Social Research (TECO) | ||
| Technical Communication (TECO,WRCO) | ||
| Classroom Planning, Management, and Organization for Middle School and Secondary Educators (TECO) | ||
| GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) | ||
| Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO) | ||
| Methods of Social Research (TECO) | ||
| Electives | 10-13 | |
| Credits | 31-37 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
- 2
Complete at least eight credits of 3000/4000 level courses in any two Social Science disciplines, including WRCO. Writing in the Discipline Connection must be completed in a Concentration discipline.
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity through an appreciation for various forms of diversity at a global, national and regional level.
- Conduct research ethically, as evidenced through effective research design and implementation.
- Write clearly and concisely in the conventions of the respective core discipline(s) of their major (AN/SO, GE, PO, SS).
- Exhibit effective oral communication through personal interaction as well as classroom presentations, individually or as part of a group, to a larger audience.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills through writing and verbal assessments.
- Identify the skills and perspective relating to the practical application of their discipline to professional settings.
Graduates in the BS Social Science program are prepared to move on to careers in many fields, as this program is designed to complement different student strengths and interests that might be applicable to a wide range of jobs. Graduates have gone on to graduate programs in social science disciplines, to law school, or have returned to pursue certification in social studies education, counseling and special education. Otherwise, their careers are as varied as their personalities. Recent graduates work in marketing, sales, for NH social service department, as social media directors, at a local humane society, run a local business, GIS, political action campaigns and other non-profit organizations.