Degree Programs and Major Program Sheets

All degree and minor programs require a minimum GPA of 2.0 (There are additional requirements for education students majoring in social sciences). All department majors are required to earn at least a “C” (2.0) minimum grade in any foundation course (100 level) specified within the student’s major program and the three required methods courses: SS 201, SS 300 and SS 400. Students should contact the department secretary, Patty Lerner (lernerp@wcsu.edu) in order to sign up for their required research seminar, SS 400, one semester prior to registration. An electronically submitted portfolio of work in the social sciences is required of all students in before graduating (conducted in the SS 400 seminar). The four elements of the portfolio include:

1. Two “Course of Study” Statements.
   1. A written discussion of the student’s course of study, including courses contributing to scholarly
      development, steps taken to meet challenges in that development, and future plans based on the course of study;
   2. A proposal of a significant question or line of inquiry of importance to the student in the major and an account of having arrived at that question or inquiry. Included will be a discussion of several research sources of bearing on the student’s question or inquiry, and a critical response to the inquiry’s assumptions or a proposal for a methodology that answering the  question would require.
2. A research paper (previously submitted in a major course).
3. A senior thesis (previously submitted in SS 400: Senior Research Thesis).
4. A professional résumé (including the student’s curriculum vitae).

Program sheets:

For a list of current program sheets please visit www.wcsu.edu/academics/programsheets/macricostas-school-of-arts-and-sciences/

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Programs

(*) Meets state requirements as academic major for students seeking elementary teaching certificate. B.S. degree awarded to education students.

(**) Meets state requirements as academic major for students seeking elementary or secondary teaching certificates.  B.S. degree awarded to education students. Program guide sheets for each major may also be obtained on the wall outside of Warner Hall 224.

Anthropology/Sociology (*)

The allied fields of anthropology and sociology offer ways of understanding the world that are fundamental to many courses of study. Anthropology and sociology look at everyday life in the context of groups, societies and cultures to which humankind contribute. The degree program is designed to provide background for varied business, government and social service careers as well as for advanced graduate studies in a wide area of disciplines. There is also an anthropology/sociology and elementary education option for students desiring to become elementary school teachers.

Economics 

The economics program provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the economic behavior of individuals, business and society. The focus is on social outcomes of economic transactions and events, as well as on economic performance. Economics is taught as part of a liberal arts education at Western and provides an especially relevant background for careers in business or government, as well as for graduate study in economics, law or business.

Political Science (*)

Students of political science are given an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the political aspects of society. They are provided with a practical background for a variety of legal, government, public and social service careers, and a preparation for graduate studies in political science, as well as in related fields, such as pre-law. There is also a political science and elementary education option for students desiring to become elementary school teachers.

Social Sciences (**)

This interdisciplinary major provides students with both a broad-based foundation in the social sciences and with a variety of course choices, allowing a student to focus on a specific topic or theme, such as global studies or multi-cultural studies. This program is considered particularly relevant for future teachers. There are two options for joining the major in social sciences with the majors in elementary education or secondary education.

Options (Optional – you do not need to choose one of these):

• Anthropology/Sociology Studies
• Family Studies
• Global Studies
• Multi-cultural Studies

Minor Programs in the Social Sciences

For Minor Program Sheets, visit the Academics site.

Anthropology
Conflict Resolution
Cultural Resource Management
Economics
Geography
International Studies
Multi-cultural Studies
(with elective African-American focus)
Museology
Political Science
Sociology
Urban Studies
Women’s Studies