Social Science, B.S.

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Social Science Major

Non-Teaching Option
Teaching Option

All requirements for social science majors (both options) are outlined below.

Core Curriculum Requirements (43-45 credits)

In College Core B , all majors in programs in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences are required to pass a second course in Social and Behavioral Sciences; i.e., CHBS majors cannot fulfill College Core B requirements with a Health and Wellness course.

Non-Teaching Option (45 credits)

The Non-Teaching option is only for students who were enrolled previously in the Social Science Teaching Options. Enrollment in the Social Science Non-Teaching Options is contingent upon students having at least junior standing and having already completed a minimum of 30 Radford University credit hours as a Social Science Teaching Option Major.

Required Core Courses (30 credits)

History (18 credits)

Nine semester hours of 100-level HIST
Nine semester hours of 300-400 level history courses (3 semester hours from Group A, 3 semester hours from Group B or Group C, and 3 semester hours of HIST from Group A, B, or C)

Political Science (12 credits)

POSC 120 - Introduction to American Government
Nine semester hours of Political Science at the 300-400 level

Other Requirements (15 credits)

Geography (6 credits)

Students must take one U.S. designated and one Non-U.S. designated course from the following list:

U.S. Geography:

Non-U.S. Geography:

Economics (3 credits)

Social Science Electives (6 credits)

Majors will select Social Science Electives in one of the four major content areas (History, Political Science, Geography and\or Geospatial Science, Economics) and take six additional semester hours at the 300-400 level in that field. If the electives are in History, those courses must be divided between American (Group A) and Non-American (Groups B, C) courses.

Electives

Students needing additional electives to meet their final degree requirements should consult their academic advisors for careful selection of appropriate course work.

Teaching Option (45 credits)

Required Courses

History (21 credits)

In addition, students will take 9 semester hours of HIST courses at the 300-400 level.

3 hours of Non-American History to be taken from:

3 hours of American History to be taken from:

3 hours of any 300-400 HIST

Political Science (12 credits)

POSC 120 - Introduction to American Government

In addition, students will take 6 semester hours of POSC courses at the 300-400 level from

3 Semester hours of any 300-400 POSC

Geography (6 credits)

Students must take one U.S. designated and one Non-U.S. designated course from the following list:

U.S. Geography:

Non-U.S. Geography:

Economics (6 credits)

Teacher Licensure

In addition to completing requirements in the Social Science major, those intending to teach in the public schools must also complete all specified courses and requirements in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. Social Science Education candidates must have a 2.75 grade point average (at RU and in-major) in order to be admitted to Teacher Education and to Early Field Experiences. See College of Education and Human Development for details. Future teachers are also encouraged to take COMS 114 - Public Speaking .

B.S. Requirements (6-12 credits)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science (Non-Teaching Option) can choose to take 6-8 hours beyond the Core Curriculum requirements in courses from one of the following areas:

Mathematical Sciences:

Mathematics and Statistics or Information Technology

Natural Sciences:

Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics

Or, they can elect to take six to eight hours in one of the following disciplines:

Sociology: 300-400 level.
Psychology: 300-400 level.
Anthropological Sciences 300-400 level.

Note(s):

Students who have previously been Social Science Majors-Teaching Option may apply six semester hours of the Fall Education Block to the B.S. degree requirements if they have already received credit for those courses.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 120

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a major in Social Science (Non-Teaching Option), a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses with departmental prefixes associated with their particular Social Science option. To graduate with a major in Social Science (Teaching Option), a student must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher in all courses both in the Social Science major as well as overall college work and at RU.