Bachelor of Arts Major in Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts Major in Social Sciences With CSET-Social Sciences (California Subject Exams for Teachers) This major appeals to students with a broad range of interests and those interested in pursuing a social science teaching credential. A minimum of 48 semester units, distributed as follows. History: six courses that include one course in California history, two courses in the history of Western Civilization or World History, two courses in U.S. history and one course in the history of a non-U.S., non-European country or region. Political Science: three courses that include one course in U.S. national government, one course in U.S. state and local government and one course that deals with either a) comparative politics and government, b) politics and government of a foreign country or c) international relations. Sociology: two courses which include one course that deals with the basic concepts of Sociology and one course that deals with either a) structural analysis, b) social psychological analysis or c) cultural anthropology. Economics: one introductory course. Geography: one course in world geography. Quantitative methods: one course, selected with the approval of the Social Science advisor. Please see the College of the Pacific Social Science advisor for a list of specific course recommendations for all courses required for the major. It is recommended (but not required) that freshmen and newly declared majors take HIST 001 Chair’s Seminar. Students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in social science. Recommended Progression of Study Students should begin with the Chair’s Seminar HIST 001 and two foundation courses in sequence and proceed to take one course from each of the listed regional and thematic categories. Students must take HIST 070, Historical Imagination, their sophomore year or as soon as possible after transferring into the program and take HIST 160, Pacific History Seminar, the capstone class, as seniors. Students may take independent study courses or special topics courses at any time. Teaching Credential Track Teaching credential candidates wishing to qualify to teach history at the secondary level should complete the Single Subject Credential in the Social Sciences. Information on specific course requirements may be obtained from your adviser or the department chair. For other credential requirements, students should consult faculty in the School of Education. Historical Information Competence Generate coherent narratives of the history of the following regions and topics: US, Latin America, Europe, Asia, environment and science, and global issues. Communication Competence –Writing Write persuasively using evidence to support an argument, citing sources using Chicago style. Communication Competence- Speaking Speak in public settings in clear and effective ways, including the use of presentation media. Research Skills Find, understand, evaluate and use archival, primary and secondary sources in print and online versions. Critical Analysis Identify and critically analyze historical arguments, theories and methods, and use them in research, writing, and oral presentations.