This is an archived version of the University Catalog and is no longer being maintained. References to people, offices, policies, and web links may be outdated. View the current catalog or email catalog@csuchico.edu for updated information. Students who have catalog rights to this version of the catalog should check with an advisor for graduation requirements.

Skip to Side Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Accessibility Settings

The Master of Arts in Social Science

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer and/or CSU Chico Open University course work may be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Students select either the Option in General Social Science or the Option in Social Science Education within the MA in Social Science.

The Option in General Social Science is designed for professionals having unique curricular needs within the behavioral and social sciences. It offers optimal flexibility in designing an individualized program specializing in an area related to behavioral and social sciences. The student can pursue a specific interdisciplinary theme, topic, or problem. The student is responsible for designing the course of study in conjunction with the graduate advisory committee and subject to the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

The Option in Social Science Education is primarily designed to serve teachers in elementary and secondary education by expanding their knowledge of history, social science, and international studies subject matter and to broaden their teaching methodology.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. If the applicant's previous work is deficient in the social sciences, the applicant may be required to take some prerequisite courses as appropriate to the program of study.

4. Two letters of recommendation

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion of at least one of the following:

(a) A grade point average of 3.25 or better in the last 60 units of course work taken.

(b) A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.

(c) A Miller Analogies Test score of 500 or more.

(d) A minimum combined score of 800 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination.

2. Recent completion of a research methods course appropriate to the program of study (consult Graduate Coordinator) with a grade of B or better. For the Option in Social Science Education, completion of SOSC 651 or HIST 693, with a grade of B or better, is required.

3. Formation of the graduate advisory committee, composed of at least two faculty from at least two appropriate departments, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

4. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator, including a statement describing the student's interest in the special program being proposed, previous academic training, other relevant experience, and a description of the particular theme, topic, or problem the student proposes to study. For the Option in General Social Science, the Graduate Coordinators from the departments involved in the program must also sign the program concept. If the relevant departments do not have graduate programs, the Department Chairs must sign the program concept.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

The student must have classified graduate standing and must have completed at least 9 units of the proposed program at the University.

Requirements for the MA in Social Science:

Completion of all requirements as established by the Social Science graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:

For the Option in General Social Science:

3 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
ANTH 483 Field Methods in Ethnography   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: ANTH 303 or permission of instructor.
This course presents theories and methods of ethnography as well as the ethics of ethnographic fieldwork. Students conduct supervised ethnographic research and present their results both orally and in written format. 6 hours activity. (000610)
ANTH 484 Archaeological Site Surveying   3.0 F2  
Methods and techniques of locating archaeological and historical cultural resources in the field. Proper site recordation by means of photographs, drawings, maps, and appropriately filled-out site survey forms for cultural resource management purposes. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (000613)
ANTH 485 Formal Methods for Anthropology   3.0 SP  
A survey of selected mathematical and logical methods and models of relevance to various problems in anthropology. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of anthropological data. 3 hours seminar. (000530)
HIST 492 Archival Research Seminar   3.0 FS  
Introduction to archival research and source materials. Practical experience in locating, interpreting, and using the various kinds of primary documents that form the raw material of the historian's craft. 3 hours seminar. (004707)
POLS 631 Seminar in Research Methods   3.0 SP  
Rigorous investigation of methodological techniques, with intensive readings, papers, and oral presentations as appropriate. Applications of research methods to policy problems and to problems in Political Science will be stressed. 3 hours seminar. (007692)
PSYC 600 Research and Evaluation Methods   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent, faculty permission.
An examination of the nature and process of understanding and evaluating, as well as designing and conducting psychological research and evaluations studies. Important issues and criteria for evaluating quality and drawing conclusions will be emphasized. 3 hours seminar. (007996)
SOCI 411 Doing Social Research   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SOCI 310 and SOCI 315 or faculty permission.
This is a hands-on research course where students design and conduct research projects. Every stage of research, from project conceptualization through data collection and analysis, is undertaken. This course provides practical experience in research methods for use in future employment or graduate studies. 3 hours seminar. (015570)

The student is responsible for designing the rest of the course of study in conjunction with the graduate advisory committee and subject to the approval of the Graduate Coordinator. A minimum of 18 units must be taken in the social sciences, including course work from at least two disciplines. The program of study must reflect a specific interdisciplinary theme, topic, or problem.

For the Option in Social Science Education:

3 units required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
EDMA 610 Introduction to Inquiry in Education   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Experience using computers, faculty permission.
This course develops the knowledge and skills educators need as consumers and producers of educational research. Introduction to skills for accessing, comprehending, planning, and conducting educational research and basic statistics. This course should be taken early in the MA degree program. 3 hours seminar. (002875)

3 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
ANTH 483 Field Methods in Ethnography   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: ANTH 303 or permission of instructor.
This course presents theories and methods of ethnography as well as the ethics of ethnographic fieldwork. Students conduct supervised ethnographic research and present their results both orally and in written format. 6 hours activity. (000610)
ANTH 484 Archaeological Site Surveying   3.0 F2  
Methods and techniques of locating archaeological and historical cultural resources in the field. Proper site recordation by means of photographs, drawings, maps, and appropriately filled-out site survey forms for cultural resource management purposes. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (000613)
ANTH 485 Formal Methods for Anthropology   3.0 SP  
A survey of selected mathematical and logical methods and models of relevance to various problems in anthropology. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of anthropological data. 3 hours seminar. (000530)
EDMA 611 Research Seminar in Education   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: EDMA 610, faculty permission.
Assists in the development of research proposals and the communication of research. Master's candidates gain insight into the conduct of educational research, develop the proposal for their thesis or project, and draft a summary of related previous research. This course should be taken just before beginning a master's thesis or project. 3 hours seminar. (002876)
HIST 492 Archival Research Seminar   3.0 FS  
Introduction to archival research and source materials. Practical experience in locating, interpreting, and using the various kinds of primary documents that form the raw material of the historian's craft. 3 hours seminar. (004707)
POLS 631 Seminar in Research Methods   3.0 SP  
Rigorous investigation of methodological techniques, with intensive readings, papers, and oral presentations as appropriate. Applications of research methods to policy problems and to problems in Political Science will be stressed. 3 hours seminar. (007692)
PSYC 600 Research and Evaluation Methods   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent, faculty permission.
An examination of the nature and process of understanding and evaluating, as well as designing and conducting psychological research and evaluations studies. Important issues and criteria for evaluating quality and drawing conclusions will be emphasized. 3 hours seminar. (007996)
SOCI 411 Doing Social Research   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SOCI 310 and SOCI 315 or faculty permission.
This is a hands-on research course where students design and conduct research projects. Every stage of research, from project conceptualization through data collection and analysis, is undertaken. This course provides practical experience in research methods for use in future employment or graduate studies. 3 hours seminar. (015570)

3-9 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
HIST 693 Topics in History-Social Science for Teachers   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Advanced study in topics reflecting K-12 social studies curriculum. An emphasis on the research and development of Standards-based, primary source-rich, assessment-driven units and lessons. Concurrent with institute offered by North State History-Social Science Project. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. (004768)
SOSC 651 Topics in International Studies for Teachers Grades K-12   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
Advanced study in topics reflecting K-12 social science curriculum. Topics relate to the California Academic Content Standards. 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009096)

3-6 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
HIST 699T Master's Thesis   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. Credit/no credit grading. (004770)
SOSC 699P Master's Project   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. A terminal project is equal in scope and quality to a thesis but differs in form or content to such an extent that the strict University standards for these would not be appropriate. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (009107)
SOSC 699T Master's Thesis   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (009105)

9-18 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
AIST 457 American Indian/Federal Law   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
 This course is also offered as POLS 457.
This course in Indian/Federal law examines 200 years of legal relationships of tribes with the Federal government, state government, and with tribal members. It has its origins in constitutional law, and is the only body of law directly relating to a single group or minority in this country. We will examine and analyze the practical application of these laws as they apply to the legal rights of tribes and the states in which the tribes reside. 3 hours lecture. (000393)
ANTH 432 Anthropology of Religion   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisites: ANTH 303 or RELS 480 or instructor's permission.
This course examines the contemporary theoretical underpinnings of the anthropology of religion, considering especially performative, gendered, psychological, semiotic, and political aspects of religion in cross-cultural persepective. 3 hours lecture. (000577)
ANTH 482 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology   3.0 S2  
Independent supervised training in the methods of data description, interpretation, and presentation. Methods of describing, classifying, analyzing, and illustrating archaeological finds, and the preparation of reports for publications. 6 hours activity. (000609)
ANTH 600 Core Seminar in Anthropology   3.0 FA  
A critical examination of the basic foundation literature in the subdisciplines of anthropology. 3 hours seminar. (000640)
ANTH 602 Seminar in Archaeology   3.0 SP  
A critical examination of selected theories and methods in archaeology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in archaeology. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (000650)
ANTH 603 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology   3.0 SP  
A critical examination of selected theories and methods in cultural anthropology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in cultural anthropology. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (000657)
CHST 459 Chicanos and Latinos: A Cross-Cultural Approach   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisites: CHST 157 or SOCI 100.
 This course is also offered as SOCI 459.
This course examines the social conditions and lived experiences of Chicanos and Chicanas, using individual and structural perspectives. Students explore the impact of Chicanos, the largest Latino subgroup, in the United States. Social and cultural comparisons are made among Chicano, Mexican, other Latino subgroups, and various ethnic communities. 3 hours lecture. (001985)
ECON 470 International Economics   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: ECON 301.
Economic problems arising out of economic relations and interactions among nations. Current theory of international trade, capital flows, and finance. International economic institutions and their relationship to American foreign policy. 3 hours seminar. (002697)
GEOG 430 Geodemography   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
Geographic foundations of political developments and events, with emphasis on the geographical dimensions of demographic processes and how they underlie political changes. 3 hours discussion. (003952)
GEOG 602 Seminar in Physical Geography   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
An examination of current research in climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, or other selected topic in physical geography. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004010)
GEOG 603 Seminar in Human Geography   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
An examination of current research in a selected human geography topic, including cultural, economic, urban, political, social, or behavioral geography. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004011)
HIST 620 Graduate Seminar in European History   3.0 INQ  
Intensive reading in selected periods of European history. Written and oral presentations of reading and research required. 3 hours seminar. (004739)
HIST 630 Graduate Seminar in Pre-1877 United States History   3.0 INQ  
Intensive reading in selected periods of United States history up to 1877. This seminar exposes graduate students to major historiographical issues and debates in the field. 3 hours seminar. (004742)
HIST 680 Graduate Seminar in Latin American History   3.0 INQ  
Intensive reading in selected periods and topics in Latin American history. Written and oral presentations of reading and research required. 3 hours seminar. (004766)
HIST 690 Historiography   3.0 F1  
The evolution of historical thought and writing from antiquity to the twentieth century. Reading of selected major historians, writing of critical essays, discussion of basic trends. 3 hours seminar. (004736)
HIST 697 Independent Study   1.0 -3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 6 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004769)
POLS 601 Seminar in State and Local Government   3.0 FA  
Intensive reading and research on topics related to this sub-field of political science. Written and oral presentation of research usually required. 3 hours seminar. (007685)
POLS 621 Seminar in American Politics   3.0 FA  
Intensive reading and research on a topic related to this sub-field of political science. Written and oral presentation of research usually required. 3 hours seminar. (007687)

Note: Or other American politics seminar.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
POLS 641 Seminar in International Relations   3.0 FA  
Intensive reading and research on a topic related to this sub-field of political science. Written and oral presentation of research usually required. 3 hours seminar. (015551)
POLS 671 Topics in American Politics   3.0 FS  
Intensive reading and research on a topic related to American national government. Written and oral presentation of research usually required. 3 hours seminar. (007710)

Note: Or other national government seminar.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 441 Sociology of World Affairs   3.0 FS  GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, SOCI 300, SOCI 310, senior standing.
This course applies sociological concepts and theories to local, national, and international events and trends. Students concentrate on a variety of news sources and sociological works, to interpret and understand the news and global developments. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009001)
SOCI 456 Teaching the Holocaust and Genocide   3.0 FS  
This course is also offered as MJIS 556.
This course examines the Holocaust and other genocides from the 20th century to the present and prepares future teachers for addressing these issues in their classrooms as part of the California state-mandated inclusion of genocide in the curriculum. Students discuss teaching the moral implications of genocide, while making them relevant to pupils' lives 3 hours discussion. (002250)
SOSC 697 Independent Study   1.0 -3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009101)

For both Options:

(a) At least 18 units taken in the social sciences.

(b) At least 18 units required for the degree at the 600 level.

(c) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).

(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(e) At least 9 units completed after advancement to candidacy.

(f) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699) or Master's Project (699); not more than 6 units of either Master's Thesis (699) or Master's Project (699), nor more than 6 units of Independent Study (697).

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis or terminal project as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator, followed by the completion of a comprehensive examination (written or oral) in the field of study.

3. Approval by the Social Science Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Social Science majors will demonstrate their writing competence through submitting an acceptable statement of their interest and experience (see "Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status" above).

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

For this program, grades lower than B- are unacceptable. For this program, Internship courses (689) will be graded Credit/No Credit only.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all Social Science majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

Catalog Cycle:11