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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.

This course provides a basic understanding of the hardware, software, and operation of computing systems for the social sciences. With an emphasis on skill building, students practice several software packages including data analysis programs. They also research appropriate internet resources while evaluating the uses and ethics of modern computing.

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. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. Credit/no credit grading only.

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.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. 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.

This course covers the five themes of geography (location, place, human-environmental interaction, movement, and region) for use in the K-12 classroom. The impact of these themes on physical geography, human culture, and economic development is also emphasized. Skills include mapping of data, using appropriate georaphical software, creating charts and diagrams, and interpreting information contained in an atlas. This course is required for Liberal Studies majors and History-Social Science single subject credential students.

This course focuses on the immigration and subsequent history of California's different ethnic groups. It explores their interactions and the effects on the social, political, and economic development of the state. The course is required for Liberal Studies majors. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic course.

This is an exploration of the fundamental concepts of human biological, social, and cultural evolution. It is a comparative study of adaptation, social organization, religious and other ideological systems in contemporary non-Western societies. With a multidisciplinary approach, the course covers the biological basis of human social behavior, fossil evidence for human evolution, and relevant ethnographic and archaeological evidence of human social evolution. This course is required for Liberal Studies majors. This is an approved Non-Western course.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. 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.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This capstone seminar integrates interdisciplinary approaches to family studies through the examination of topics such as cohabitation, marriage, alternative family forms, parenting, sexuality, child development, personality, gender, and aging. Family policy issues are also emphasized.

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

This course is an internship offered for 3.0–15.0 units. 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. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: Senior status.

This course uses a portfolio format to assess student competence in the Social Science credential. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: Senior status.

This course uses a portfolio format to assess student competence in the Social Science breadth pattern. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: Senior status.

This course uses a portfolio format to assess student competence in the Social Science depth pattern. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (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.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (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.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. 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.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed one 499H 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.

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.

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.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course focuses on the application of career development theories, issues, and resources for diverse clientele in education, public and private agencies. Topics include occupational databases, career investigation, decision making, job search skills, program development, and ethical concerns. The course is useful for teachers and social service agency personnel and is a required course for Career/Life Planning minors.

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.

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.

Prerequisites: ECON 103 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.

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

This course is an internship offered for 3.0–15.0 units. 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. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. 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.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is offered for 1.0–6.0 units. 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. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is offered for 1.0–6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.