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

Minors:

• Criminal Justice
• Psychology
• Psychology/Human Development

Concentrations:

• Aging Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• Human Resource Management
• International Management
• Leadership 
• Urban and Policy Studies

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

CAR 202	Creating Professional Identity	2
CAR 203	You the Professional	2

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:

• Aging Studies
• Anthropology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Urban and Policy Studies

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/