Social Science

Janet Bennion, Professor (Sociology and Anthropology)
David Plazek, Assistant Professor (Political Science)
Paul Searls, Assistant Professor (History)
Alexandre Strokanov, Professor (History)

B.A. Social Science
B.A. Global Studies

Licensure in Secondary Social Studies Education (See Secondary Education)
Minors: History, Political Science, Anthropology/Sociology, Global Studies, International Studies, and Gender Studies

Program Mission Statement

The Social Science program is designed to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of human nature. It seeks to educate students to be knowledgeable about their society and the world and to be able to think critically about the human condition. The department offers courses in anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology. It supports the college’s mission of equipping students to respond to the challenges of an evolving society and to advance the quality of life in a diverse global community. The department contributes to both the social science and humanities divisions of the college’s general education program and focuses on experiential learning.

The department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Social Science and Global Studies. Students may also elect anthropology/sociology, history, political science, gender studies, international studies, or interdisciplinary social sciences within the Liberal Studies major. The department prepares students enrolled in the elementary and secondary education programs with knowledge, skills, and values they will need to teach social studies. It also prepares students to pursue further study and to continue their interest in the field.

Social Science Program Goals/Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the major of Social Science will be able to:

1. analyze social phenomena to demonstrate familiarity with cultural diversity;
2. utilize disciplinary concepts, knowledge, and tools of the social sciences to analyze social phenomena of the past or present that reflect an understanding of the factors that influence human social behavior;
3. conduct original research using critical thinking and social science research methodologies, develop a thesis, and, using appropriate computer and analytical skills, interpret the results of one’s research into a written monograph that conforms to the standards of the discipline(s);
4. present their research findings clearly and accurately in the form of an oral presentation;
5. demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively (with at least two individuals) on a service project.

Graduation Requirements for all Social Science majors:

a. a three-page cultural diversity paper, scored by department faculty advisors on or before May 1st of the student’s senior year, using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
b. a senior thesis research project (approximately 25 to 40 pages), initiated in SSC3020 and SSC4740 and finalized in SSC4720, scored by two department faculty thesis mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads) using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
c. a 12-to-15 minute oral defense of thesis, scored by four department faculty mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads) using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
d. a one page collaborative service statement, signed by supervisor, scored by department faculty advisors using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
e. an outgoing senior survey, filled out by the senior after the thesis presentation on May 1st of the student’s senior year (or Dec. 1st for December grads), scored by department Chair and stored in the student’s portfolio.

Global Studies Program Goals/Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the majors of Global Studies will be able to:

1. utilize disciplinary concepts, knowledge, and tools of the social sciences to analyze socio-cultural phenomena of the past or present that reflect an understanding of the factors that influence human social behavior;
2. conduct original research using critical thinking and social science research methodologies, develop a thesis, and, using appropriate computer and analytical skills, interpret the results of one’s research into a written monograph that conforms to the standards of the discipline(s);
3. present their research findings clearly and accurately in the form of an oral presentation;
4. develop an understanding of the history and culture of various regions around the world in finding solutions to current global problems
5. demonstrate ability to enhance their global awareness by gaining knowledge in a foreign language, observing a culture different from their native culture, or exhibiting completed works on issues related to globalization;

Graduation Requirements for all Global Studies majors:

a. a 25-to-40 page senior thesis research project, initiated in SSC3020 and SSC4740 and finalized in SSC4720, scored by two department faculty thesis mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
b. a 12-to-15 minute oral defense of thesis, scored by two department faculty mentors on May 1st of the student’s senior year using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
c. a three-page cultural diversity paper, scored by department faculty advisors using a grading rubric and stored in the student’s portfolio by the Chair.
d. an outgoing senior survey, filled out by the senior after the thesis presentation on May 1st of the student’s senior year, scored by department Chair and stored in the student’s portfolio.
e. one of the following assessments:
i. demonstrate experience in a foreign land either through Study Abroad, work/internship, educational tour, or fieldwork;
ii. provide evidence of an understanding of global interconnectedness in the form of a professional paper, published article, or capstone essay; OR
iii. demonstrate knowledge in a foreign language.
analyze a social phenomena from the perspective of a particular group or culture within the local, national, or international context that documents familiarity with the diversity of human cultures and world views;

Program Assessment

The Social Science Department assesses its program goals in a variety of ways, including evaluation of student work in all courses, a senior thesis or capstone, an oral presentation of the senior thesis in front of peers, and a senior survey. The department evaluates course syllabi to ensure that learning outcomes are clearly reflected in the department’s courses and that students are exposed to experiences that advance the program’s goals as they progress through the program.