Social Science, B.A.
This program offers students a strong curriculum that provides critical thinking and analytical training needed for professional development, employment in social science-related fields, or graduate study. Students learn concepts, theories, and methodologies across a range of social science disciplines, with an emphasis on the interconnections between knowledge, people, and cultures in a global context. Students interested in exploration of cultural practices and dimensions of social behavior and organization, as well as those interested in sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, and applied interdisciplinary fields such as aging studies and urban and policy studies, will benefit from this program.
Program Details:
- Requires 180 QH, including 60 QH of General Education, for completion
- Requires a minimum grade of "C" in Social Science core and program elective requirements
- Credit by examination and portfolio are accepted for general education and elective credit
- Students may complete a minor or concentration, listed below
Required Courses
Communications - 15QH
ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
ENG 201 | Intermediate English Composition | 5 |
ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH
ART 101 | Basic Art Appreciation | 5 |
HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
PHI 107 | Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in humanities or fine arts.
Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH
MTH 101 | Introduction to Mathematical Concepts | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any college-level mathematics course.
Physical and Life Sciences - 10QH
One course must have a lab:
SCI 101 | Physical Science | 5 |
| and | |
SCI 102 | Survey of Biological Science with Lab | 5 |
| or | |
SCI 225 | Human Impact on Environment | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one course in any physical science and one course in any life science.
Social and Behavioral Sciences - 15QH
Choose two Social Science courses from the list below:
ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
HIS 102 | Introduction to Political Science | 5 |
SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| and | |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in social and behavioral sciences.
Additional General Education Requirements
Students must complete GEN 103 and one of the following course options:
Pathways Students
GEN 210 | Think Global-Perspectives from the Field | 3 TO 5 |
BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| or | |
CAR 215 | Career Planning | 3 |
| and | |
CAR 216 | Career Practice | 2 |
BRV 201 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge | 2 |
| or | |
CAR 217 | Career Application | 2 |
Transfer Students
Note: GEN 103 may be waived for on-campus students who (1) enter NLU with an associate’s degree or 90 or more quarter credit hours of transfer credit; and (2) have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or above in their previous undergraduate studies. GEN 210 is required for Pathways students only.
Social Science Core Requirements - 45 QH
ECO 100 | Introduction to Economics | 5 |
SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
SOC 110 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
INT 310 | Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
LAS 311 | Race and Ethnicity | 5 |
LAS 420 | Social Theory | 5 |
LAS 453 | Social Inequality | 5 |
LAS 499 | Social Science Seminar | 3 TO 5 |
LAS 302 | Asian American Cultures and Society | 5 |
| or | |
LAS 303 | Sub-Saharan African Cultures | 5 |
| or | |
LAS 304 | Middle and South American Cultures | 5 |
| or | |
LAS 340 | Native American Cultures | 5 |
Note: LAS 499 must be taken for 5 quarter hours. Students may choose another research methods course in lieu of INT 310 with the approval of Program Chair or designate. Students may also choose another Ethnic Studies course in lieu of LAS 302, LAS 303, LAS 304 or LAS 340 with the approval of Program Chair or designate.
Social Science Program Electives - 20 QH
Choose 20 quarter hours (4 courses) from the Social Science categories below:
Note: Other Social Science courses may be used in the above categories or related disciplines by approval of the Program Chair or designate. Students may utilize their program electives to complete an optional concentration in Aging Studies or Urban and Policy Studies.
Electives
Choose additional courses to total 180 quarter hours. These hours may be satisfied by completing minors and/or concentrations listed above.
For more information about this program, visit http://www.nl.edu/academics/socialbehavioralsciencesbachelors/basocialscience/