Social Sciences

The social sciences provide a unique perspective for enabling students to explore and understand central questions of human identity. This requirement addresses the Anchor Plan vision of various modes of inquiry concerning knowing about humanity. These courses explore what it means to be social beings who shape, and are shaped, by each other and by cultures.

They help prepare students to live in a changing world, enabling them to understand and constructively engage their heritage, community, nation and world and to deal with technology, social complexity and cultural diversity.

Associated Student Learning Outcomes

The Social Science requirement will introduce the following learning outcomes:

1. Examine fundamental or emerging questions about humanity, the natural world, or God by seeking answers through different modes of inquiry.

5. Analyze evidence or data to solve problems, reach informed conclusions or make sound judgements.

Courses (6 Credits)

The Social Science requirement is met with two courses (a minimum of six credits), from two different social science departments (communication, economics, political science, psychology, sociology). These courses engage students in the given discipline’s “mode of inquiry” about important questions related to human, social and institutional behavior. Students experience how the given social science discipline asks questions, gathers information, critically evaluates the method and results to make informed answers and/or conclusions. Social Science classes emphasize ways of knowing in the social sciences, which include principles of quantitative thinking.