Nov 18, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Social Science, B.S. (E, A)

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The Social Science major is administered by the Department of History. The Social Science Teaching Option prepares students for rewarding careers as professional educators. Graduates of this program earn a license to teach social studies in middle schools and high schools. As part of their training, Social Science majors will be exposed to social science methodology, content, and research. The major enhances the graduate’s reading, writing, and oral skills and the ability to process diverse information into a coherent whole. In particular, the Social Science major will develop an understanding and appreciation of the inter-connectedness of the various social science disciplines. Graduates will also have the opportunity to learn about a wide diversity of cultures and develop a keen appreciation for the aesthetic and intellectual life that they may one day pass on to their own students. The Social Science major is an interdisciplinary program consisting of coursework in the primary Social Science disciplines of History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics. Students wishing to be licensed to teach social studies in middle school or high school must select the Teaching Option.

REAL Curriculum

This major fulfills the E and A areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students develop an understanding of diverse ideas present in the humanistic inquiry and expression evident in historical sources. This occurs through the acquisition and application of knowledge, research and analytical skills, and critical reflection of primary and secondary source evidence. Students develop cultural and behavioral analysis competencies by examining the interaction of cultures, behaviors, and beliefs. This occurs through thinking critically and analytically about historical issues themes, personalities, and events. To complete all REAL Curriculum requirements, students need additional majors and/or minors to fulfill the R and L areas. For students in the Social Science Teaching Option, their L area requirement can be met with the Education Minor.

REAL Foundational Requirements

Foundational Writing (3 credits)

ENGL 111 - Principles of College Composition (GE)

Foundational Math (3 credits)

REAL Cornerstone Requirements

Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Social Science major can include up to 27 credits of writing intensive courses dependent on the courses selected.

General Education Requirements

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Social Science major includes 18-21 general education credits.

Major Requirements (51-53 credits)

B.S. Requirements (6-8 credits)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science (Non-Teaching Option) can choose to take 6-8 credits 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 credits from courses in the Education minor to the B.S. degree requirements if they have already received credit for those courses.

Required Major Courses

Teaching Option

Required Core Courses (33 credits)

History (21 credits)

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

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

3 credits of American History to be taken from:

3 credits of African American History taken from:

Political Science (12 credits)

POSC 120 - Introduction to American Government (GE)

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

3 credits of any 300-400 POSC

Other Requirements (12 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 (6 credits)

Non-Teaching Option

The Non-Teaching option is only for students who were enrolled previously in the Social Science Teaching Option. Enrollment in the Social Science Non-Teaching Option 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)

American History (6 credits)

Students must choose two.

Non-American History (3 credits)

Students must choose one.

Upper Level History (9 credits)

Nine credit hours of 300 level history courses (3 credit hours from program designation group US (United States), and 6 credit hours from group EU, and/or GL). Students may not count any one course for more than one program designation.

Political Science (12 credits)

POSC 120 - Introduction to American Government (GE)
Nine credits 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 credit hours at the 300-400 level in that field. If the electives are in History, those courses must be divided between American (Group US) and Non-American (Groups EU and GL) courses.

Additional Degree 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 major. 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.

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 the College of Education and Human Development Secondary Education page for details.

Open Credit Hours (30-69 credits)

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math. Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the requirements for Teaching Certification and should work with an advisor to choose additional courses, majors, and minors.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 120

Additional Information

Students in the Social Science Teaching Option must complete all requirements of the Social Science major teaching option and all specified courses and requirements of teacher licensure according to the specifications of the College of Education and Human Development. See College of Education and Human Development for details.