Social Science and Special Programs

The BA in Social Science is designed for students who have a broad interest in the behavioral and social sciences. At Chico, the social science program includes the disciplines of anthropology, child development, economics, geography and planning, health and community services, history, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and multicultural and gender studies.

Social Science Options

The breadth pattern is a broad, interdisciplinary 45-unit major. Its primary intent is to give students a solid liberal arts grounding in the social sciences. This option also prepares pre-credential students for social science subject matter competency.

The depth pattern is a 45-unit major, which consists of 24 units from one of the primary advising concentrations and 15 units in a secondary concentration.

There are 23 advising or areas of concentration (AoC) from which to select. The AoCs include all of the disciplines found within the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, plus History. Advising concentrations also include area studies, environmental studies and family relations.

All majors are required to take an introductory computer skills course and an integrative capstone. The capstone is a social science writing proficiency seminar.

Both options are available online to off-campus majors. The depth option, however, is limited to a primary area of concentration in sociology and a secondary concentration in Career and Life Planning.

Program Minors

The Minor in California Studies provides an integrated set of studies which will increase students' knowledge and understanding of California.

The Minor in Career and Life Planning provides students with skills in career guidance and occupational resources, and the educational requirement for national certification as a Career Development Facilitator. This is beneficial to those entering service professions.

The Minor in Family Relations provides students with a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to the family as an institution, the current state of knowledge relating to family relations, gender relations, and child socialization. This coursework is a valuable complement to studies in psychology, social work, sociology, and child development.

Master's Program Options

The General Social Science option is a flexible interdisciplinary program which allows students to tailor a program to their specific academic or career goals, drawing on curricula from departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as history, and other university programs. While possibilities are varied, some examples include focusing on student services administration, public policy evaluation, and history/government/world affairs.

The Social Science Education Option is designed primarily for primary and secondary teachers. It expands student knowledge of history, social science and international studies subject matter, in order to broaden their teaching methodology and develop their leadership abilities.