The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

The Mission of the College

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences provides learning experiences to increase students’ understanding of human behavior; the workings of social, political, and economic institutions; and the role of the environment and culture in affecting behavior. The college also provides professional services, such as economic impact reports and telephone surveys, to the northeast region and other parts of the state.

Faculty are actively engaged in theoretical as well as applied research. Most classes are small and students often work with their professors on applied research. For example, anthropology students assist professors excavating archaeological sites throughout Northern California to learn more about how people lived in the past; geography students assist faculty in map interpretation using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology.

The college offers degrees in anthropology, child development, economics, geography, health and community service, political science, psychology, sociology, and social work. Students choose internship experiences from local, state, national, and international settings. Student clubs and organizations support most majors.

The college also includes the PASSAGES Adult Resource Center, which serves the community through a variety of programs for seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers. It provides information and assistance, care coordination, caregiver support, advocacy, education, and volunteer opportunities. The Center serves clients in 10 Northern California counties; most of the agency’s service is provided in Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa and Plumas counties.