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  

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  

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  

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  

Prerequisite: SOSC 509, SOSC 510, senior standing.  

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