Social Science Coordinator W. Bradford Mello, Assistant Professor of Communication Description In collaboration with the School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences supports a social science major for the Weekend College program to serve those students who wish to become social studies teachers, as well as other students with career aspirations in the field of social sciences. The major consists of courses from social science areas which allow students to develop life-long learning skills as well as the theoretical framework of how to think like a social scientist. Further, the courses in the major foster an appreciation of how gender and diversity contribute to an understanding of social systems, and Course work for the major meets the requirements for social studies teachers in the District of Columbia. Students interested in teacher certification should refer to the School of Education section of this catalog. Students should note that a GPA of 3.0 is required for all course work applied towards teacher certification. Major Requirements Required Courses (27 credits) ALL of the following courses: ECO 121 Introduction to Economics I: Macroeconomics HIS 126 Trends in Western Society 1815-1945 HIS 337 United States History 1787-1865 HIS 338 The United States Comes of Age: 1865-1941 INS 386 World Geography MTS 301 Web Page Design (or other approved MTS course) PSC 123 American Political Process PSY 123 Introduction to Psychology SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology Elective Courses (18 credits) SIX of the following courses from at least three different programs: ECO 235 Environmental Economics ECO 263 Money and Banking ECO 270 International Economics ECO 280 Issues in Economic Development ECO 361 Labor Economics ECO 365 Microeconomic Theory ECO 371 International Finance HIS 255 Contemporary History of the Third World HIS 394 Women in the Twentieth Century United States HIS 431 Social Landscapes in U.S. Culture HIS 485 Age of Dictators: Europe 1914-1945 PSC 150 DC Politics PSC 200 Introduction to Comparative Politics PSC 216 Civil Rights and Liberties PSC 326 Constitutional Law PSY 250 Personality and Psychology PSY 255 Social Psychology PSY 257 Child Psychology PSY 322 Physiological Psychology SOC 200 Social Crisis and Social Policy SOC 254 Global Social Issues SOC 350 Race and Racism SOC 378 Inequality and Society Recommended Courses The following courses are strongly recommended for all majors; they are required for students wishing to fulfill the education requirements in writing and math: MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics SSC 107 Social Science Writing Program Policies Advanced Placement and CLEP policy: As an interdisciplinary program, the Social Science Program follows the policies of its disciplinary components on issues applicable to this major. Please refer to the statements of the appropriate program for policies on advanced placement, TELL, and CLEP in the major or minor. Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass. Senior Assessment: Senior Assessment: Students must prepare and complete a Senior Comprehensive Portfolio. Transfer Credits: Because it is an interdisciplinary program, the Social Science Program follows the transfer policies of the contributing disciplines in determining the applicability of transfer credit to the requirements of the major. Course Descriptions Course descriptions appear under the section of the sponsoring programs. Courses listed as SSC prefix may be found in the interdisciplinary courses section of this catalog. SSC 107 Social Science Writing 3 cr Introduces students to the basics of writing academic papers in the social sciences, focusing on the relationship of the writing process to reading and critical thinking. Students will learn how to focus ideas, formulate a thesis, organize their knowledge, and revise effectively. They will also explore some basic research techniques, including how to conduct library and internet research, how to evaluate sources, and how to document research. SSC 200 Gender Sport and Culture 3 cr Examines how the social construction of gender affects contemporary experiences in the sport world. The course explores a variety of sport experiences from the perspectives of gender. Specific topics include sport culture, the role of the media, and gender socialization. SSC 201 Documentary Film 3 cr Explores the history and craft of documentary film making. Special attention is paid to the political and social issues dealth with in documentary film and whether they have the power to be a vehicle of change. SSC 300 Politics and Film 3 cr Investigates the intersection of film with political institutions, processes and behaviors. It examines the portrayal of politics on film and the contributions film makes to our understanding and opinion of politics and society. Through weekly readings and screening the course invites students to see film politically.