Skip to Content
University Catalog

SOCIAL SCIENCE

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Social Science major is offered by the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Government, History, and Sociology. It serves both as a major for the Bachelor of Arts degree and to provide subject matter preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science.

To qualify for a teaching credential, candidates must also complete an approved Professional Education Program and other requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. California faces a shortage of qualified teachers. Over the next decade we will need to find 300,000 people to take on the challenging but rewarding job of teaching in California schools.

Since the Social Science program involves work in several departments, and since special rules on overlap with General Education apply to this program, advising is essential to the efficient completion of the program.

Note: On June 1, 2006, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved the program of subject matter preparation for the Single Subject Teaching credential in Social Science submitted by California State University, Sacramento.

Anyone working on the Social Science program in this and in earlier catalogs (1994-1996 or earlier) should be aware of the following: as long as one retains catalog rights, the earlier Social Science program may still be completed for a degree. However, older programs no longer meet subject matter requirements for a Social Science Credential. Consult the Social Science advisor for details.

Special Features

  • Although the aim of the Social Science program is directed toward the teacher credential, the program also provides an opportunity for students to build on the foundation of their general education and become familiar with several areas in the Social Sciences. A Social Science major is excellent background for advanced graduate studies and in professional careers. Non-credential students need not complete the professional education program, and elective courses are available to complete the 120-unit Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Through the Social Science major, graduates also earn a 24 unit minor in History. Formal submission of a Minor Degree Application is required.
  • Graduates of the Social Science program have distinguished leadership careers in government, politics, business, K-12, education, higher education administration, law, law enforcement, counseling, community service, and military service. Several Social Science majors (including two former mayors of Sacramento) are inductees into the College of Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies Academy of Distinction and Honor.
  • The Social Science program works closely with the Career Center on campus to provide proactive and comprehensive career services to students through: career development, experiential learning, on-campus recruitment, and employer relations.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Requirements - Bachelor of Arts

Units required for Major: 60
Units required for Subject Matter Program: 69
Minimum total units required for BA: 120

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Core Requirements (45 units)

(3)

ECON 1A

Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis

(3)

ECON 1B

Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis

(3)

ECON 113

Economic History of the United States (ECON 1A or ECON 104)

(3)

GEOG 100

Themes in World Geography (Junior or Senior standing or instructor permission)

(3)

GEOG 121

United States and Canada

(3)

GOVT 1

Essentials of Government OR

 

GOVT 150

American Governments

(3)

GOVT 35

World Politics

(3)

GOVT 180

California State and Local Government

(3)

HIST 17A

U.S. History, 1607-1877

(3)

HIST 17B

U.S. History, 1877-Present

(3)

HIST 50

World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600

(3)

HIST 51

World Civilizations, 1600-Present

(3)

HIST 100

Introduction to Historical Skills

(3)

HIST 133

Twentieth-Century World History (HIST 51 or HIST 51H)

(3)

HIST 183B

California History, 1860-1970

B. Additional Pre-Credential Requirements (9 units)

In addition to the core curriculum for the major, the following courses are required for students completing the Subject Matter Program in Social Science as preparation for a Single Subject Teaching Credential.

(3)

EDUC 170

Bilingual Education: Introduction to Educating English Learners

(3)

SSCI 193

Integrating History and Social Science (Instructor permission)

Select one of the following (3 units) (ethical perspective):

 

HRS 140

Exploring World Religions (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

PHIL 2

Ethics

 

PHIL 100

Ethics and Personal Values

 

PHIL 101

Ethics and Social Issues (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

C. Electives (15 units)

Select one of the following (3 units) (National Perspective, History):

 

HIST 150

Colonial America

 

HIST 151

The Age of the American Revolution

 

HIST 152

Young Republic, 1790-1840

 

HIST 153

Civil War and Reconstruction, 1840-1890

HIST 154

20th Century U.S., 1890-1940

HIST 155

20th Century U.S., 1941-Present

 

HIST 156

The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage (HIST 17B)

 

HIST 157

History of International Relations in the 20th Century

HIST 159

History of U.S. Foreign Relations

 

HIST 160

The United States in Vietnam, 1940-1975

HIST 162

Social History of the U.S.

HIST 163

The City in U.S. History

HIST 167

History of American Women

HIST 168/HRS 168

Images of America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

HIST 173

The History of the Civil Rights Movement: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction, 1865-Present

HIST 177

The African-American Experience, 1603-Present

 

HIST 178

Mexican-American History

Select one of the following (3 units) (National Perspective, other Social Sciences):

 

ANTH 101

Cultural Diversity

 

ANTH 135

Indians of North America

 

ECON 152

Economics of Education (ECON 1B or ECON 104)

 

ECON 181

Economics of Racism

 

ECON 184

Women and the Economy

 

ECON 189

Economics at the Movies

 

ETHN 100

Ethnic America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

ETHN 131

La Raza Studies

 

ETHN 140

Native American Experience

 

ETHN 170

Pan African Studies

 

GOVT 112

Current Political Thought

 

GOVT 153

The American Presidency (GOVT 1 or equivalent)

 

GOVT 155

The Legislative Process (GOVT 1 or equivalent)

 

GOVT 165

Politics of the Underrepresented (GOVT 1, and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

SOC 120

Ethnic and Race Relations

 

SOC 125

Social Inequalities (SOC 1 or equivalent)

 

SOC 135

Sociology of Popular Culture

Select one of the following (3 units) (World Perspectives, History):

HIST 109

History of Modern Greece

HIST 103

Mediterranean Europe: From the Renaissance to the European Union

HIST 117

Europe, 1815-1914

HIST 118A

World War I: Causes, Conduct, Consequences

HIST 118B

World War II: Causes, Conduct, Consequences

HIST 119

Europe Since 1945

HIST 122B

History of Women in Western Civilization, Renaissance-Present (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

HIST 125

Modern Germany, 1860-Present

HIST 128C

British History, 1714-Present

HIST 129C

Twentieth Century Russia

 

HIST 130

The Fall of Communism

HIST 135A

History of Mexico to 1910

HIST 135B

Revolutionary and Modern Mexico

HIST 138A

Colonial Latin America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

HIST 138B

Modern and Contemporary Latin America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

HIST 141

History of Africa Since 1800

HIST 142

History of Women in Africa

HIST 143B

The Modern Middle East

HIST 146B

Modern Japan, 1800-Present

HIST 148B

China, 1600 to Present

 

HIST 171

American Indian History

Select one of the following (3 units) (World Perspectives, other Social Sciences):

 

ANTH 102

Nature of Culture (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

ANTH 121

Archaeology of Mexico

 

ANTH 143

Culture and Society in Mexico

 

ANTH 145

Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (ANTH 146 or instructor permission)

 

ANTH 149

Cultures of South Asia

 

ECON 112

European Economic History

 

ECON 190

International Trade (ECON 1A, ECON 1B)

 

ECON 192

International Finance (ECON 1A, ECON 1B)

 

ECON 193

Development Economics (ECON 1A, ECON 1B)

 

GEOG 127

Geography of Africa

 

GEOG 128

Geography of Europe

 

GEOG 145

Population Geography

 

GOVT 130

International Politics

 

GOVT 142

Government and Politics in Africa

 

GOVT 144

Government and Politics in Europe (GOVT 1 or equivalent)

 

GOVT 147

Latin American Government and Politics

 

GOVT 148

Governments and Politics in the Middle East

 

SOC 160

Asian Societies

 

SOC 162

Middle Eastern Societies and Culture

 

SOC 164

Sociology of Globalization

Select one of the following (3 units) (State Perspective):

 

ANTH 128

Indians of California

 

ECON 114

The California Economy (ECON 1A and ECON 1B, or ECON 104)

 

ETHN 110

The Asian American Experience

 

ETHN 130

Chicano/Mexican American Experience

 

GEOG 131

California

 

HIST 185

California Indian History

 

SOC 118

Chicano Community

Note: Minimum grade of "C-" is required in all courses completed toward the Social Science major and pre-credential requirements.

Career Possibilities

Middle School or High School Teacher of Civics, Economics, Geography, and History · Politics · Government and Civil Service · Lobbyist · Pre-Law Attorney · Law Enforcement · Business · Public Relations · Human Relations/Personnel Specialist · Journalist · Military Service · Community Service · Graduate School

Faculty

Michael Delacorte, Anthropology; Margarita Bertha-Avila, Bilingual-Multicultural Education; David Lang, Kristin Van Gaasbeck, Economics; Marsha Dillon, Geography; Robert "Stan" Oden, Government; Chloe Burke, Michael Vann, History; Janet Hecsh, Teacher Education

Contact Information

Timothy Fong, Director
Debbie James, Administrative Support Assistant
Lassen Hall 2008
(916) 278-6207
www.csus.edu/socsci/



COMPLETE COURSE LISTING | RETURN TO TOP