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COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

The College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (SSIS) provides a curriculum that examines human society in all aspects. The College focuses on such topics as relationships among individuals and groups, the functioning of the political system and economy, the nature and influence of culture, relationships among nations, and the relation of human society to the natural environment.

The College offers Bachelor's degree programs in Anthropology, Asian Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Family and Consumer Sciences, Gerontology, Government, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Social Science, and Sociology as well as a special major in the area of Women's Studies. Additionally, SSIS offers minors in most of the above disciplines as well as California Studies and Labor Studies. The College also has several Master's degree programs including those in Anthropology, Economics, Government, International Affairs, Psychology, Public Policy and Administration, and Sociology. The University's new Educational Doctorate Program reflects a partnership between a SSIS department (Public Policy and Administration) and the College of Education. Finally, units within the College offer various academic certificates (e.g., Pan African Studies, Collaborative Governance).

The programs in the College use and teach skills in critical thinking and problem solving; finding and using information; oral and written communication; policy analysis; adaptation to a variety of situations; and sensitivity to and understanding of other peoples and their customs, problems, values, and aspirations. The College is further dedicated to developing a sense of responsibility to participate in and contribute to the human community and a healthy natural environment.

The knowledge and skills developed by the College's programs are applicable to a wide variety of careers. Students should consult with individual departments for further career and graduate and professional school opportunities.

Unique strengths of programs within the College include:

Program Descriptions

Anthropology

Research opportunities are available in cultural anthropology, archaeology and physical anthropology. California State University, Sacramento has a Museum of Anthropology.

Asian Studies

At a time when Pacific Rim developments are highly important to U.S. interests, the Asian Studies major offers students a coherent introduction to the cultures of selected Asian societies. The major emphasizes are Japanese, Chinese, and General Pacific Asian Studies, but the program also supports the examination of other Asian cultures.

Economics

The Economics major provides students with the skills to be competitive in a dynamic economy while preparing them to be informed, knowledgeable citizens.

Environmental Studies

A nationwide study of environmental studies programs showed the California State University, Sacramento program to be number one in internship participation and number two in overall career satisfaction among graduates.

Ethnic Studies

Students gain knowledge, skills and perspectives from an interdisciplinary examination of the cultural, historical, and social experience of ethnic groups in this nation and the diaspora.

Family and Consumer Sciences

In addition to preparing students for teaching careers, the Department offers several concentrations, including nutrition and food, family studies, and apparel studies.

Gerontology

Gerontology offers a multi-disciplinary program involving courses in 12 departments in five colleges.

Government

Ideally located in the state capital, the Department offers students unique opportunities to integrate their studies of politics and theory through an extensive range of internships in state and local government.

International Affairs

This graduate program prepares students for international careers in the private and public sector via an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Liberal Studies

Students enjoy a wide-ranging selection of courses in different disciplines as they prepare for careers in K-12 education or in business and government.

Psychology

This program allows students to develop understanding of the biological, cognitive, cultural, developmental and social aspects of human behavior.

Public Policy Administration

This primarily graduate program offers professional graduate preparation for current and future public decision makers in California.

Social Science

The Social Science Program provides a major and concurrent subject matter preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science.

Sociology

Students have an opportunity to do original research and to learn to analyze social data through computer processing.

Women's Studies

This program offers a minor and an interdisciplinary special major which examine women's contributions to culture, knowledge, and society.

Departments/Programs

• Anthropology
• Asian Studies
• Economics
• Environmental Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Gerontology
• Government
• International Affairs
• Labor Studies
• Liberal Studies
• Psychology
• Public Policy and Administration
• Social Science
• Sociology
• Women's Studies

Centers/Institutions

• Archaeological Research Center
• Anthropology Museum
• Center for California Studies
• Center for Collaborative Policy (CCP)
• Center for Delinquency and Crime Policy Studies (CDCPS)
• Center for Economic Education
• Center for Family Studies
• Center for Pacific Asian Studies
• Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program
• Institute of Archaeological and Cultural Studies
• Institute for Higher Education Leadership Policy (IHELP)
• Institute for Social Research (ISR)
• Longevity Center
• The Serna Center

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