Social Science Course Offerings

Please see the section on “Course Description Symbols and Terms” in The University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

SOSC 005

Introduction to    1.0 Fa/Spr
the Information Superhighway

Developmental tools training for cutting edge education. This is a one-unit class that introduces students to the Internet with an emphasis on its use as a research tool for social sciences. Students use a UNIX based system. Topics include file structure, e-mail, news groups, gopher, World-Wide Web, HTML, file transfer, and searching mechanisms.

SOSC 010

Computer Applications for    3.0 Fa/Spr
the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Provides a basic understanding of the computing systems and applications available to students in the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Skill development on micros and experience with applications on time-sharing machines. Includes exploring issues presented by the computer in society.

SOSC 060

Career Investigation    2.0 Fa/Spr

For students seeking assistance in formalizing and implementing educational/career goals. Stresses understanding the relationship between education and work. Open to all students regardless of class level, and emphasizes independent study, small group work, and open interpersonal communication. Credit/no credit grading only. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

SOSC 061

Career and Life Planning:    2.0 Fa/Spr
The Re-Entry Experience

This career-and life-planning class focuses on personal, academic, and career issues facing re-entry and other adult students in transition. Open to all students regardless of class level and emphasizes independent study, small group work, and open interpersonal communication. Credit/no credit grading only.

SOSC 065

Investigation of Personal Learning Strategies    1.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Prescreening and permission of Coordinator of Learning Disability Services, Disabled Student Services.

An opportunity for students with a suspected learning disability to undergo an evaluation and learn compensatory strategies appropriate to their personal pattern of strengths and weaknesses.

SOSC 098

Special Topics    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 098A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

SOSC 100

International Forum    1.0 Fa/Spr

A series of presentations on a wide variety of topics of international concern. Lectures, debates, panel discussions, etc. on areas of current international importance. Credit/no credit grading only. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

This course is the same as INST 110 which may be substituted.

SOSC 101

Spatial Concepts:    3.0 Fa/Spr
Geographical Patterns and Processes

Focus on the use of basic tools of geographical analysis, including atlases, globes, and maps, to study physical and cultural global patterns and processes. Required for Liberal Studies majors.

SOSC 102

Temporal Concepts:    3.0 Fa/Spr
California Ethnic History

Historical approach to the study of social behavior and change. Focus is on the interethnic relations across time in California. Required for Liberal Studies majors. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic Course.

SOSC 103

Cultural Concepts:    3.0 Fa/Spr
Human Social Evolution

Consideration of humans as a species. What is human about human beings? What forces shape human beings? How can humans be made more human? Exploration of the evolutionary process through comparative studies of non-Western cultures: innate behavior, adaptation, and socialization. Required for Liberal Studies majors. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

SOSC 170

Methods of Conflict Resolution    3.0 Fa/Spr

An introduction to the various methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and an examination of their practical uses and relative strengths and weaknesses. ADR techniques evaluated include mediation, arbitration, and various developing hybrids. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity.

SOSC 189

Social Science Internship    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This internship is offered as 189A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Students must register directly with a supervising faculty member. The course provides service learning experience as a volunteer or supervisor in a campus or community environmental organization or agency. Each unit of credit requires a minimum of three hours of activity in the assigned role. 6.0 hours activity. Credit/no credit grading only.

This course is the same as GEOG 189 which may be substituted.

SOSC 198

Special Topics    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 198A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

SOSC 199

Special Problems    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is an independent study of special problems and is offered as 199A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Credit/no credit grading only.

SOSC 210

Tests and Measurements    3.0 Spring
for Career Guidance

This is a course in career assessment. Students will explore the foundational issues in psychometrics, including the nature and uses of tests, ethical considerations, and concerns in test administration. Classes of vocational assessments and their exemplars will be presented. Assessment batteries for special needs clients will also be examined. Students will consider issues which are of specific concern when using formal assessment tools in decision making in career interventions. Interpretations of specific instruments and the relationship of formal assessments to other modes of information gathering will be discussed. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

SOSC 211

Principles and Techniques    3.0 Spring
of Career Guidance

Development of techniques for comprehensive career counseling, including goal setting and decision making; career exploration; career and life-role integration; ethnicity, race, and gender problems.

SOSC 230

Family Relations Capstone Seminar    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

A capstone seminar required of students minoring in Family Relations. Usually taken in senior year. Course will integrate interdisciplinary theories. The substantive parts of the Family Relations minor will provide the organization of the course. These are the family as an institution, marriage and family relations, sexuality, child development, personality, women, and aging.

SOSC 240

Environmental Studies Capstone Seminar    3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This seminar is required of students minoring in Environmental Studies and is to be taken as the culminating course in the minor. The course integrates the cross-disciplinary elements of the minor, emphasizing the interplay among the scientific, social, legal, historical, and humanistic elements of the study of the environment.

SOSC 250

Tourism Capstone Seminar    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

Synthesis of tourism as an industry, including its history and growth. Analysis of career potentials and requirements. Role of multi-national business and domestic and international tourism. Study of tourism in selected destinations.

SOSC 260

Career/Life Planning Capstone Seminar    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This seminar is required of students minoring in Career/Life Planning and is to be taken as the culminating course in the minor. It integrates and applies self-exploration, life planning, work, and communication skills to a career/life emphasis. The seminar has discussion, demonstration, and experiential components. Students should take this course in their senior year.

SOSC 270

Capstone in Conflict Resolution    1.0 Spring

Prerequisites: SOSC 170 and MGMT 145.

Capstone activity for the Conflict Resolution minor in which students integrate the variety of skills and techniques developed in earlier core and elective courses to resolve a variety of simulated conflicts. 2.0 hours activity.

SOSC 280

Capstone Seminar in Gerontology    1.0 Spring

Prerequisites: Completion of 3 courses in the Gerontology minor or permission of instructor.

Course is designed to integrate topics explored in disciplinary coursework and to demonstrate real world applications of theories, previously seen only in textbooks. Students from a variety of majors will bring their unique perspectives to bear on topics of common interest. Field trips, guest speakers, discussion and demonstrations will be used.

SOSC 289

Social Science Internship    3.0-15.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Junior standing; the approval of the Social Science Program Coordinator; faculty permission.

This course is an internship offered as 289A-E for 3.0 to 15.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. The internship experience is designed to supplement academic work in social science and to provide students with occupational experience.

SOSC 295

Capstone Seminar: Social Science    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; 12 units in social sciences.

Analysis of the basic philosophical foundations of the social sciences, focusing on the nature of man, the nature of society, social science as a science, and the role of the social scientist. Various paradigms which deal with these issues will be studied. Required for all Social Science majors. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

SOSC 295H

Senior Honors Research Seminar    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher and faculty permission.

This course provides an opportunity for students accepted for “Honors in the Major” to prepare and write an Honors research paper on a topic germane to their interests. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

SOSC 298

Special Topics    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 298A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

SOSC 299H

Honors in Behavioral and Social Sciences    3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: Students must have completed one 299H in a Behavioral and Social Science department prior to enrollment. Open only by invitation to students with 3.5 GPA or higher in the major and faculty permission.

Revision of a research paper into publishable form. Student will be required to make a public presentation of the paper.

SOSC 325

Seminar/Practicum in Survey Research    3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: At least one prior course in research techniques; faculty permission.

Study of survey research emphasizing state-of-the-art telephone techniques. Included is an extensive practicum involving course participants in the actual development and implementation of a major professional survey.

This course is the same as CMST 325 which may be substituted.

SOSC 351

Topics in International Studies    3.0 Fa/Spr
for Teachers Grades K-12

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

Advanced study in topics reflecting K-12 social science curriculum. Topics will address ancient to contemporary world history as they relate to California Academic Content Standards. Concurrent with institutes offered by the Resources in International Studies in Education Program. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units.

SOSC 360

Supervised Teaching of    3.0 Fa/Spr
Career Guidance and Development

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Social Science; faculty permission.

Weekly seminars and supervision for those students who plan to prepare themselves to teach career guidance and development at the college level. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

SOSC 361

Labor Market Data and Evaluation    3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003 and introductory statistics; or faculty permission.

Calculation and interpretation of labor market statistics. Computer applications with time-series, cross-sectional, and longitudinal data sets. Issues in program evaluation using labor market data.

SOSC 389

Social Science Internship    3.0-15.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Graduate standing; approval of Social Science Graduate Coordinator; faculty permission.

This course is an internship offered as 389A-E for 3.0 to 15.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. The internship experience is designed to supplement academic work in Social Science and to provide students with occupational experience.

SOSC 397

Advanced Topics in Social Science    1.0-3.0 Inquire

This course is for special topics offered as 397A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

SOSC 398

Independent Study    1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is a graduate level independent study offered as 398A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member.

SOSC 399

Master’s Study    1.0-6.0 Fa/Spr

This course is a master’s study offered as either a Master’s Thesis, identified as 399A-F for 1.0 to 6.0 units respectively, or as a Master’s Project, identified as 399G-L for 1.0 to 6.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. A terminal project is equal in scope and quality to a thesis but differs in form or content to such an extent that the strict university standards for these would not be appropriate.