Bachelor of Arts in Social Science

The social science major offers students an opportunity to focus their studies primarily in psychology, sociology, history, and related social science fields. Optional tracks are available in health and human services management, human services and psychology.

• Total Minimum Credits Required: 120 credits
• General Education Requirements: 46 credits
• Major Requirements: 48 credits
• Electives: 26 credits

Course Requirements: (48 credits)

At least 9 credits in history, including 6 or more credits at the 300-level or higher
At least 9 credits in psychology, including 6 or more at the 300-level or higher
At least 9 credits in sociology, including 6 or more at the 300-level or higher
At least 6 credits in multidisciplinary social science, selected from the following courses:

HCA 305 The U.S. Health Care System (3 credits)

LIB 309 Interdisciplinary Topics in the Liberal Arts (INTD) (3 credits)

LIB 318 Peacemaking: A Study of Conflict Resolution (INTD) (3 credits)

LIB 320 Global Socioeconomic Perspectives (INTD) (3 credits)

LIB 332 Science and Culture (INTD) (3 credits)

LIB 323 Revolution and Terrorism in the Modern World (INTD) (3 credits)

LIB 325 The Civil War in American Culture (INTD) (3 credits)

Between 3 and 6 credits in cross cultural perspectives, selected from the following courses:

ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)

HIS 103 World Civilizations I (3 credits)

HIS 104 World Civilizations II (3 credits)

LIB 316 Literature in Historical Context (3 credits)

LIB 320 Global Socioeconomic Perspectives (INTD) (3 credits)

SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups (3 credits)

SOC 315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3 credits)

At least 3 credits in political science

LIB 307 Social Science Seminar (3 credits)

One of the following four courses:

MAT 332 Applied Statistics (3 credits)

PSY 325 Statistics for the Behavioral & Social Sciences (3 credits)

PSY 326 Research Methods (3 credits)

PSY 335 Tests & Measurements (3 credits)

The social science major also requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits at the 300-level or higher.

Political Science Option: Students desiring more depth in political science may apply up to six hours of upper-level POL courses in areas of the major that require more than one course (i.e. the History, Psychology, Sociology, Multidisciplinary, and Cross-Cultural requirements), provided that no more than three hours are applied to any one area. This option may not be applied to course-specific requirements in the tracks offered within the degree. This option is designed to help facilitate secondary education students seeking the American Government endorsement.

(Note: A single course may apply to only one of the nine requirement areas in the major. Some courses may also apply to general education requirements.)

Health and Human Services Management Track

The Health and Human Services Management track provides an interdisciplinary course of study for students in the social science major. This track provides the educational credentials to fill "front-line" management roles entailing the direct supervision of other human service professionals. Students selecting this track are required to complete specific courses including a business course component. Students pursuing the Health and Human Services Management track or core may pattern their course work to complete the requirements for Nursing Home Administration licensure in the state of Iowa.

History (9 credits):

Same requirements as listed under Social Science major

Psychology (9-10 credits):

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits) OR
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood (3 credits)

• PSY 301 Social Psychology (3 credits) OR
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology (3 credits) OR
• PSY 325 Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 credits)

Sociology (9 credits, including 6 or more at the 300 level or higher):

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
• BUS 303 Human Resource Management (3 credits) (course fulfills requirement in place of one 300 level sociology course)
• SOC 313 Social Implications of Medical Issues (3 credits)

Multidisciplinary Social Science Courses (6 credits):

• SOC 320 Public Policy & Social Services (3 credits)

• LIB 318I Peacemaking: The Study of Conflict Resolution (3 credits)OR
• PSY/SOC 309 Special Topic in Human Services(3 credits)

Cross Cultural Perspectives Courses (6 credits):

• SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups (3 credits)OR
• SOC 315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3 credits)

And one of the following courses:

• ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
• HIS 103 World Civilizations I (3 credits)
• HIS 104 World Civilizations II (3 credits)
• LIB 320-I Global Socioeconomic Perspectives (3 credits)

Political Science (3 credits):

• POL 201 American National Government (3 credits)

Economics (3 credits):

• HCA 305 The US Health Care System (3 credits)

Methods Course (3 credits):

• HCA 375 Continuous Quality Monitoring Accreditation (3 credits) OR
• HCA 421 Health Care Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)

Seminar requirements (3 credits)

• HCA/SOC 340 Managing in Health and Human Service: An Interdisciplinary Approach (3 credits)

Accounting (6 credits):

• ACC 281 Accounting Concepts for Health Professionals (3 credits)
• HCA 311 Health Care Financing and Information Systems (3 credits)

Philosophy (3 credits):

• HCA 322 Health Care Ethics and Medical Law (3 credits)

Health Care Internship

• HCA 402 Health Care Internship (3-6 credits) OR
• HCA 459 Senior Project (3 credits)

Human Services Track

The optional track in human services gives an applied emphasis to the major. Students selecting the human services track are required to complete specific courses within most of the nine requirement pools in the social science major.

History: (9 credits)

Same requirements as listed under Social Science major.

Psychology: (9 credits)

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 304 Lifespan Development (or equivalent) (3 credits)
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology: Methods of Applied Psychology (3 credits)

Sociology: (9 credits)

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• SOC 312 Child, Family and Society (3 credits)
• SOC 320 Public Policy and Social Services (3 credits)

Elective Social Science Courses (15 credits)

• PSY 301 Social Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• SOC 330 Social Justice and Society (3 credits)
• SOC 340 Managing Health and Human Services (3 credits)
• LIB 318 Peacemaking (3 credits)
• SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups (3 credits)
• SOC 315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3 credits)
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood (3 credits)
• SOC 304 Social Gerontology (3 credits)
• CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice (3 credits)
• SOC 305 Crime and Society (3 credits)

Political Science: (3 credits)

• POL 201 American National Government (3 credits)

Economics: (3 credits)

• ECO 100 Survey of Contemporary Economic Issues (3 credits)
• ECO 203 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• ECO 204 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
• HCA 305 The U. S. Health Care System (3 credits)

Methods course: (3 credits)

• MAT 332 Applied Statistics (3 credits)
• PSY 325 Statistics for Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 credits)
• PSY 326 Research Methods (3 credits)
• PSY 335 Tests and Measurements (3 credits)

Seminar and Practicum: (6 credits)

• LIB 307 Social Science Seminar (3 credits)
• PSY/SOC 421 Human Service Practicum (3 credits)

Psychology Track

The Psychology track requires the courses listed below in addition to the other courses required for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Courses listed will be applied to the psychology course requirement of the Social Science major.

Required Courses:

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 304 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• PSY 497 Psychology Capstone (3 credits)

Three courses selected from the following:

• PSY 301 Social Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 302 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 305 Sports Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood (3 credits)
• PSY 335 Tests & Measurements
• PSY 350 Physiological Psychology (3 credits)

Sociology Track

The Sociology track provides Social Science majors and opportunity for greater emphasis on sociology as a part of their major studies and allows them to document a sociology-based program at the undergraduate level.

Sociology track students must meet the general requirements for the Social Science major, as well as the following:

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• LIB 320-I Global Socioeconomic Perspectives (3 credits)
• 5 Upper division SOC courses (3 credits)

Courses in the Sociology track may also apply, where appropriate, to the General Education and major requirements.

History Track

The History track provides Social Science majors an opportunity for greater emphasis on history in their major studies and allows them to document a history-based program at the undergraduate level.

History track students must meet the general requirements for the Social Science major, as well as complete 21 credits from the following:

• HIS 103 World Civilizations I (3 credits) OR
• HIS 104 World Civilizations II (3 credits)

• HIS 203 American History to 1865 (3 credits) OR
• HIS 204 American History since 1866 (3 credits)

• LIB 325-I The Civil War in American Culture (3 credits)
• 4 upper level HIS courses (12 credits)

Courses in the concentration may also apply, where appropriate, to General Education and major requirements.

History Specialization (12 credits)

Available in Bachelor of Arts in Social Science degree program only.

HIS 379The Atlantic World (3 credits)

HIS 340Recent American History (3 credits)

HIS 342The Middle East (3 credits)

HIS 331World War II (3 credits)

Political Science and Government Specialization (12 credits)

Available in Bachelor of Arts in History, Social and Criminal Justice, Social Science and Sociology degree programs only.

POL 319State & Local Government (3 credits)

POL 310Environmental Policies (3 credits)

POL 355International Relations (3 credits)

POL 411Political Behavior (3 credits)