Social Science
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Insight
The Social Science Program prepares students to be informed citizens who use multidisciplinary understandings of concepts, theories, and methods from the social sciences to respond to a range of human experiences, events, and real-world social problems. The program promotes an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the value of research and service to the community, the importance of social and environmental responsibility, and active participation in civic life.
Experience
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science is designed for students who have a broad interest in the behavioral and social sciences and for those interested in pursuing a California secondary school teaching credential. The program has two options: multidisciplinary studies and specialization studies. Both options are available to students on campus and for distance education students who do not reside in Chico.
The Master of Arts in Social Science is a flexible interdisciplinary program that allows students to tailor a program to their specific academic or career goals, drawing on curricula from departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as the School of Education and other programs. While possibilities are varied, some examples include focusing on higher education administration, college student development, cultural and gender studies, and career development counseling.
The Social Science Blended BA + MA Program is one of Chico State’s first blended programs and allows students to double count nine units of coursework in our Career and Life Planning area of concentration toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students who complete the Social Science blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The Social Science Program offers several minors that are easily combined with our two options or with other majors. The Career and Life Planning Minor, the Family Relations Minor, and the Gerontology Minor are available in person and fully online. The Minor in California: People, Places, and Cultures is only available to on-campus students.
Students can also take courses to complete the Certificate in Career and Life Planning or the Certificate in Gerontology. The Certificate in Career and Life Planning is for professionals who work in a variety of career development settings. The Certificate in Gerontology is for those interested in professions that work with older adults and their families.
Outlook
Social Science BA and MA graduates are in high demand for a variety of professions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that professional opportunities for those with a degree in social science will grow over the next decade. Graduates are employed in public and private education; career centers; human resource organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; nonprofit organizations; interest groups; and various realms of the private sector.
For more information, please contact us:
- Social Science Program: sosc@csuchico.edu
- Social Science Advisor: soscadvisor@csuchico.edu
Programs
Undergraduate
Bachelor's
Minors
Certificates
Credential
Graduate
Master's
See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.
SOSC 198 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours lecture. (009058)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Lower Division
SOSC 210 Data Interpretation and Communication for the Social Sciences 3 Units
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Pathway Foundation Quantitative Reasoning.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides an introduction to research and analytic tools needed to meet the demands of social science practice. Students will manipulate, visualize, and interpret statistical and spatial data to strengthen their data analytic reasoning. This course also examines bias in the presentations of social science information by reviewing demographic, cultural, and spatial data sources. 3 hours seminar. (009054)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
SOSC 290 BSS Sophomore Experience 1 Unit
Typically Offered: Fall only
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) students develop an understanding of the specific skills, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices required to be successful in the majors of the College of BSS at CSU, Chico and in life after college. Specific emphasis placed upon academic and career planning, as well as life skills to improve success in and outside of school. 1 hour lecture. (022084)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit
Course Attributes: Lower Division
SOSC 300 Great Books and Ideas in the Social Sciences 3 Units GE
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course advances students' exposure to and appreciation of seminal works in the disciplines of the Social Sciences including the application of social science theories. The specific content of the course varies by sections and instructor discipline. In this course, students deepen their understanding of the role of the social sciences as an academic discipline and further enhance their understanding of the world around them. Issues of equity, ethics, and social justice are emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (021168)
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Equity, Ethics, and Policy Pathway; Innovation, Design, and the Arts Pathway
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 301 Spatial Concepts: Geographical Patterns and Processes 
3 Units
3 Units Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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 geographical software, creating charts and diagrams, and interpreting information contained in an atlas. 3 hours lecture. (009059)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Sustainable Course
SOSC 302 Temporal Concepts: California Ethnic History 3 Units GE, USD
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours lecture. (009060)
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); California Studies Pathway
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity
SOSC 303 Cultural Concepts: Human Social Evolution 3 Units GC
3 Units GC Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours lecture. (009062)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Global Cultures; Sustainable Course
SOSC 303W Cultural Concepts: Human Social Evolution (W) 3 Units GC, W
3 Units GC, W Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours lecture. (021965)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Global Cultures; Sustainable Course; Writing Course
SOSC 333 Research and Inquiry in Social Science 4 Units
Prerequisite: SOSC 210 or equivalent.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An introduction to the language and methodology of social research. Particular attention given to: the nature of scientific method; sampling theory; a review of survey, field, experimental, and evaluation methods; the nature and character of scientific evidence; and an introduction to data analysis. The course is designed to help the student become an informed consumer and critic of the methods used by social science professions to collect and interpret information about human activity. 3 hours discussion, 1 hour lecture. (021896)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 389 Internship Social Science 1-15 Units
Prerequisite: Junior standing, the approval of the Social Science Program Coordinator, faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-15.0 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. 3 hours supervision. (021013)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 398 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours lecture. (009069)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 399 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 9 hours supervision. (009070)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 430 Family Relations Capstone Seminar 3 Units
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Typically Offered: Spring only
This capstone seminar integrates interdisciplinary approaches to macro family studies through the examination of social policies impacting children and families. Domains of social policy exploration include anti-poverty, child welfare, education, child mental health, physical/public health, youth with disabilities, adolescent substance abuse, immigration, juvenile justice, and firearm fatalities/injuries. A risk and resilience perspective and anti-oppression framework are emphasized. 3 hours discussion. (009078)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 489 Internship Social Science 1-15 Units
Prerequisite: Junior standing, the approval of the Social Science Program Coordinator, faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-15.0 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. 3 hours supervision. (009084)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 495HW Senior Honors Research Seminar (W) 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; faculty permission; Senior Standing.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 3 hours seminar. (009091)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment
SOSC 495W Capstone Seminar: Social Science (W) 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, 12 units in social sciences, Senior Standing.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Analysis of the basic philosophical foundations of the social sciences, focusing on the nature of humans, 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. 3 hours seminar. (009090)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment
SOSC 498 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 1 hour seminar. (009092)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 499 Independent Study 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
3 hours lecture. (009093)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 499H Honors Research in the Social Sciences 3 Units
Prerequisite: SOSC 495HW.
Typically Offered: Spring only
Open only by invitation to students with 3.5 GPA or higher in the major. Requires the revision of a research paper into publishable form and a public presentation of the research. 3 hours seminar. (009094)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 509 Principles and Techniques of Career Counseling and Guidance 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
Development of techniques for comprehensive career counseling in a workshop centered classroom. Students are introduce to a variety of classic, contemporary, and emerging counseling theorists such as Rogers, Carkhuff, Egan, and Ivey. Emphasis is on development of techniques for comprehensive career counseling, including self-exploration, problem assessment, decision making, career exploration, career and life-role integration, and goal setting. Each student engages in a supervised helping relationship with an individual for at least six sessions. Upon completion of the course students are able to understand the theory and practice of different counseling strategies and be able to use them in a variety of professional settings with a diverse clientele. 3 hours lecture. (009077)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 510 Testing and Measurements for Career Assessment and Guidance 3 Units
Prerequisite: SOSC 509, senior standing.
Typically Offered: Spring only
This is a course in career assessment. Students explore the foundational issues in psychometrics, including the nature and uses of paper and online tests, ethical considerations, and concerns in test administration. Students administer assessments such as the Myers Briggs, Strong Vocational Interest Inventory, Barriers to Employment Success, Offender Reintegration Inventory, Military to Career, The COP System, and various Holland assessments. Classes of vocational assessments and their exemplars will be presented. Assessment batteries for special needs clients will also be examined. Students 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. 3 hours lecture. (009074)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 560 Seminar on Theory and Practice of Career and Life Planning 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course focuses on the integration and application of classic, current, and emerging career development theories from sociological, psychological, ecological, and anthropological perspectives. Theorists such as Holland, Krumboltz, Super, Hansen, Tinto, and Chickering are discussed. In addition, the course examines 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, student development professionals, career counselors, and social service agency personnel. 3 hours seminar. (009081)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 598 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 0 hours seminar. (022278)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
SOSC 601 Quantitative Approaches to Social Science Research 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of quantitative methods from disciplines within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, including but not limited to techniques common in anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, public health, sociology, and political science. The course also helps students link research practices from these divergent disciplines to their own interest areas by providing methodological foundations useful for a variety of study topics. Finally, the course introduces software platforms including SPSS, R, and ArcGIS that are widely used by academic and professional communities that conduct social science inquiry. 3 hours seminar. (022292)
Grade Basis: Graduate Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 602 Equity, Leadership, and Policy in Higher Education 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only
This course examines mechanisms of power and privilege as they apply to access and equity in higher education. Students examine the barriers to educational access and equity in the contexts of culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, ability, and gender. We think of the interaction of diversity and learning as not only involving the differences that students bring to enhance learning environments, but also the ways we as educators respond to those differences in the context of policies, systems, histories, structures, and legislation. In addition to the examination of systemic oppression, equity and inclusion, students explore aspects of diversity as assets in the design of rich and productive learning environments. Students apply their knowledge to the investigation and formation of solutions to contemporary educational problems. 3 hours seminar. (022413)
Grade Basis: Graduate Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 660 Social Sciences Practicum in Teaching 3 Units
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SOSC, department permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Selection as a teaching assistant (TA) provides an opportunity to participate in the instruction of courses for undergraduate students under the supervision and mentorship of a faculty member. A TA is expected to assist in the development of assignments or exams as well as in-class instruction, hold office hours, proctor examinations and facilitate Web-based course management. TAs are required to attend the instructor's lecture regularly and complete 9 hours of work per week for 3 units. 9 hours supervision. (009097)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 689 Internship Social Science 1-6 Units
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, approval of Social Science Graduate Coordinator, faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
The internship experience is designed to supplement academic work in Social Science and to provide students with occupational experience. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. (009099)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 697 Independent Study 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. (009101)
Grade Basis: Report in Progress: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 698 Adv Topics in Social Science 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
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. 0 hours seminar. (009100)
Grade Basis: Graduate Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 699P Master's Project 1-6 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
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. 9 hours supervision. (009107)
Grade Basis: Report in Progress: CR/NC
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
SOSC 699T Master's Thesis 1-6 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. (009105)
Grade Basis: Report in Progress: CR/NC
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
Social Science Program
The Faculty
Matthew W Herman 1995
Lecturer
Master of Arts CSU-Chico
Ryan G Miller 2015
Lecturer
Master of Urban Planning Univ Of Washington
Shawn W Ryan 2019
Lecturer
Doctor of Education Arizona St Univ
Hayley M Stone 2016
Lecturer
Master of Public Admin CSU-Chico
Ashlyn K Weaver 2017
Lecturer
Master of Arts CSU-Chico
Betina D Wildhaber 2005
Lecturer
Master of Arts CSU-Chico