Social Science Major

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The social science major is designed to develop knowledge and skills in history, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, international studies, and geography; provide interdisciplinary study in the social sciences; and study current affairs and handling of controversial issues. The major is excellent preparation for law school, government service, graduate school, and secondary school teaching in social studies. Three social science emphases are available: Global Studies, History, and Psychology.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science requires completion of the following 128 credits:
General Education Core (57 credit hours)
Major Core (42 credit hours)
Electives (29 credit hours)

General Education Requirements (57 credit hours)

Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)

Take the following four courses (some courses are cross-listed and only one prefix needs to be taken):

Communication (12 credit hours)

Take each of the following four courses:

COM 103 - Public Speaking (CUS) (3)
COM 212 - Persuasion (3)
ENG 102 - English Composition (3)
ENG 104 - Research Writing (3)
ENG 105 - Honors English
may be taken by invitation of the English faculty to fulfill requirements for both ENG 102 and ENG 104.

Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)

Take one course from each of the following three academic disciplines:

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

PHL 202 - Philosophical Inquiry (3)

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Literature (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Social Sciences (15 credit hours)

Take each of the following five courses:

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

* Please see the First- Year Integration (FYI) page for specific information about this required course.

INT 101 - First-Year Integration (3)

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MAT 111 - College Algebra (3) (or higher)

Science (3 credit hours)

SCI 230 - Great Ideas in Science (3)

Social Science Major Core (42 credit hours)

Social Science Core (15 credit hours)

Field-Related Electives (6 credit hours)

Choose 6 credit hours of 300 or 400 level courses not already required from the following prefixes: ECO, GLS, HIS, POL, PSY, SOC.

Foreign Language (6 credit hours)

Complete a 2-semester sequence in one modern foreign language (Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and American Sign Language do not meet this requirement). Language courses identified as “conversational” do not meet this requirement.

Required Emphasis (15 credit hours)

Choose an emphasis in one of the following subject areas: Global Studies, History, or Psychology. Select 15 credit hours within the chosen subject areas including 9 hours of 300 or 400 level courses. All courses within the emphasis must be from the same prefix (i.e. GLS for an emphasis in Global Studies).