The social sciences examine all aspects of human existence, from human origins to the latest election returns. In keeping with that tradition, the Department of Geography and Anthropology offers a flexible program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in social sciences with opportunities for majors to concentrate in one or more of the social science disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. It also provides future teachers with a pre-credential waiver track.
The department curriculum, multidisciplinary in nature, is especially suitable for students with broad and varied interests who understand that a liberal education is often the best background for many types of careers. An important departmental goal for each student, therefore, is to encourage the development of his or her personal and career objectives while maintaining the breadth of understanding and flexibility necessary to succeed in any of a variety of professions – from government service, to business, industry, teaching, or international development.
Many graduates with a degree in Social Sciences continue on to graduate school in programs such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, geography, history, law, political science or education. In some instances, postgraduate work is pursued after a few years of employment in an occupational field related to one of these specialized areas. Many students choose the Social Sciences major and then, after graduation, proceed to get a teaching credential. A recent trend noted by the U.S. Department of Labor is that private industry is hiring an increasing number of social science majors as trainees for administrative and executive positions. Research councils and other nonprofit organizations also provide a source of employment for social scientists. Teaching in colleges and universities and in the high schools is projected to remain the major area of employment for social scientists with advanced degrees or credentials.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Department of Geography and Anthropology, students may in some cases select both a major and a minor from within the department. For example, a student may major in Social Sciences and minor in Anthropology. Details on other possible combinations are available from the department office.
