Social Science and Special Programs

The BA in Social Science is designed for students who have a broad interest in the behavioral and social sciences. At Chico, the social science program includes the disciplines of anthropology, child development, economics, geography and planning, health and community services, history, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and gender and multicultural studies.

Social Science Patterns

The breadth pattern is a broad, interdisciplinary 45-unit major. Its primary intent is to give students a solid liberal arts grounding in the social sciences.

The depth pattern is a 45-unit major which consists of 24 units from one of the primary advising concentrations and 15 units in a secondary concentration, plus an integrative capstone social science seminar and an introductory computer course.

Program Minors

The Minor in Applied Social Research Methods is an integrated set of studies which gives students the skills to research in most areas of the contemporary social sciences.

The Minor in California Studies provides an integrated set of studies which will increase students’ knowledge and understanding of California.

The Minor in Career and Life Planning provides students with skills in career counseling and occupational resources, and the educational requirement fo national certification as a Career Develoment Facilitator. Beneficial to those entering helping professions.

The Minor in Conflict Resolution will give students an introduction to the burgeoning field of “alternative dispute resolution,” or ADR. In ADR, mediation and other alternatives to going to trial are explored. Students create a skills and knowledge base allowing for the application of effective conflict resolution in a variety of settings.

The Minor in Environmental Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary environmental studies curriculum which integrates the broad spectrum of issues from the social sciences and humanities pertinent to the development, administration and analysis of social environmental policy, and which ties these issues to the attendant basic principles in the physical sciences.

The Minor in Family Relations provides students with a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to the family as an institution, the current state of knowledge relating to family relations, sex role relations, and child socialization.

Single Subject Teaching Credential

The social science program offers two tracks leading to subject matter competence for the a single subject teaching credential. A credential in social science enables the holder to teach history, geography, government, and economics. Track 1 has as its base the breadth pattern described above and encompasses the BA in Social Science. Track 2 has as its base the 60-unit program for the history Single Subject Matter Preparation Program.

Master’s Program Options

The General Social Science option is a flexible interdisciplinary program which allows students to tailor a program to their specific academic or career goals, drawing on curriculum from departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as History and other university programs. While possibilities are varied, some examples include focusing on student services administration, public policy evaluation, and history/government/world affairs.

The Social Science Education option is designed primarily for primary and secondary teachers by expanding their knowledge of history, social science and international studies subject matter, to broaden their teaching methodology and develop their leadership abilities.