Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
This program is designed for students who wish to teach social science subjects in California’s schools, middle school through high school, OR who wish to build a unique BA in Social Sciences program that suits their interests and professional goals.
For those interested in teaching, in addition to this coursework, students will have to pass 2 California pre-credential exams in order to be admitted into a Teaching Credential Program, post-BA: the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), which encompasses knowledge and understanding primarily of history, but also economics, geography, political science, psychology and sociology and the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) which is comprised of three subtests: basic math, reading, and writing skills for individuals planning a career in teaching.
The core discipline in the program is history, as that is the most widely taught social science subject in secondary schools. Students may choose an alternative core set of courses or discipline in consultation with an Advisor or the Program Coordinator.
Students also choose a second concentration in one of the other five disciplines: economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology.
Students interested in pursuing Teaching are encouraged to see their Social Science advisor early in their program for assistance in choosing courses.
For those with interests outside of teaching in multidisciplinary and individualized programs, this program is also designed for students with a varied set of academic and career interests. Students develop skills in areas that are deemed crucial in a wide array of contemporary professions: Globalism, Multiculturalism, and Intercultural Fluency, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Oral and Written Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Professionalism and Work Ethics. For students interested in the multidisciplinary and individualized programs, it is recommended that you first meet with an Academic Advisor in order to develop your program. All multidisciplinary and individualized programs must be approved by the BA in Social Sciences Coordinator.
Additionally, students looking to enhance their career prospects may elect to complete up to 6 units of SSCI 5750 Internship and 6 units of SSCI 5950 Independent Studies, for a total of 3-12 units, with the consent of the Program Coordinator.
Requirements (48 units)
Total units required for graduation: 120
Requirements for the B.A. in Social Sciences
| Upper-division requirements (15) | ||
| Nine units chosen from: | 9 | |
| Global Issues and Perspectives | ||
or SSCI 3001 | Global Issues and Perspectives | |
| Revolutions and Revolutionary Ideas | ||
or SSCI 3011 | Revolutions and Revolutionary Ideas | |
| The 20th Century World | ||
| Race and Racism | ||
| Perspectives on Gender | ||
| Understanding Capitalism | ||
| Six units chosen from: | 6 | |
| Expository Writing for the Social Sciences | ||
| California Water History and Resource Management | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Primary Field (18) | ||
| Students must take 18 additional upper division courses in history or design another 18 unit field in consultation with the Program Coordinator: | 18 | |
| Concentrations (15) | 15 | |
| Students must also satisfy the requirements of one of the concentrations listed below or design their own Concentration in consultation with the Program Coordinator: | ||
| Total Units | 48 | |
Concentrations (15 units)
Economics Concentration
(Program Code: SSEC)
| Fifteen units of upper division Economics coursework | 15 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Geography Concentration
(Program Code: SSGY)
| Fifteen units of upper division Geography coursework. | 15 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Political Science Concentration
(Program Code: SSPL)
| Fifteen units of upper division Political Science coursework. | 15 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Psychology Concentration
(Program Code: SSPS)
| Fifteen units of upper division Psychology coursework. | 15 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Sociology Concentration
(Program Code: SSSC)
| SOC 1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Plus twelve additional units of upper division Sociology coursework | 12 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |