Social Science:. A.A., A.S., B.A., B.S., B.P.S.
As a student of Social Science, you will explore the interaction and history of social, political and economic structures, and how they affect human beings in complex society.
You explore theories, methods and problems addressed by anthropologists, political scientists and sociologists in their examination of critical concerns for modern society, both to understand them in a historical context and to consider policies to address those issues. You also will develop valuable research, analytical and communications skills as, together with a faculty mentor, you create a program to meet your specific needs and goals.
Why choose a degree in Social Science?
Graduates with a degree in this area are preparing for opportunities in:
- Social-services delivery,
- Social-services management,
- Social ministry,
- Law,
- Policymaking,
- Teaching,
- Government service, or
- Graduate school.
Degrees Available
As a regionally accredited college of the State University of New York, SUNY Empire State College offers the following degrees in Social Science:
- Associate in Arts
- Associate in Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
Taking individual courses as a nondegree student also is possible and will offer you the same range and depth of courses and rigorous standards as matriculated undergraduate students.
Popular Concentrations
- African-American Studies
- Sociology
- Social Theory
- Public Policy
- Political Science
- Women’s Studies
You can focus on a single area such as biopsychosocial development, or create an interdisciplinary concentration that connects or combines perspectives exploring a theme or topic.
For sample degree programs and other degree planning resources, please visit the the Department of Social Science and Public Affairs Degree Planning Resources web page.
Overview of Cultural Anthropology Concentration Guidelines In the Social Science Area of Study For Students Matriculated On or After January 2022
Cultural anthropology is a discipline that is devoted to the study of how people organize and create cultural systems, and in turn are shaped by those beliefs, ideas, and physical environments. Students who develop programs in Social Science with a concentration in Cultural Anthropology are often curious about how and why people live the way they do, and they are interested in learning more about people in different parts of the world.
Program Guidelines for Bachelor’s Degree programs and Associate Degree programs in Social Science
The Social Science area of study includes a variety of academic disciplines and approaches. Social science traditions explore a range of social, political and economic issues. Students who develop programs in Social Science examine theories, methods, problems and solutions in their chosen concentrations. Students who develop degrees in Social Science develop the capacity to think critically about the social world and act as informed citizens and community members.
Bachelor’s Degree programs in Social Science must meet the six foundations listed below, while Associate Degree programs are required to meet the first three.
Degrees in Social Science include the following six foundations:
- Broad Social Perspective
- Historical and Comparative Perspectives
- Perspectives on Power and Privilege
- Theoretical Perspectives
- Social Science Research Methods
- Critical Thinking and Analysis
These foundations may be met through transcript credit; college-level knowledge demonstrated through individual prior learning assessment (iPLA), professional learning evaluations (PLE), or credit by examination; or individual courses, a series of courses, or components within individual courses with Empire State College. The student’s Degree Program Rationale Essay should clearly explain how the degree plan meets each of the foundations in the concentration, what will be learned, and how the student will build on these foundations to meet personal, academic, or career goals.
Foundation #1: Broad Social Science Perspective
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to define Social Science vocabulary, questions and topics.
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to examine relationships among different elements of social life (e.g., institutions, systems of belief, cultural patterns, or political and economic structures of society).
Foundation #2: Historical and Comparative Perspectives
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to describe how key elements of social life vary across time, place and culture.
Foundation #3: Perspectives on Power and Privilege
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to examine the dynamics of power and privilege in relation to race, class, gender, age, sexuality, etc.
Foundation #4: Theoretical Perspectives
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to define relevant concepts and theories.
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to analyze the strengths, limitations and significance of relevant concepts and theories.
Foundation #5: Social Science Research Methods
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to define tools and methods used in Social Science research.
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to analyze strengths and limitations of Social Science research methodologies.
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to analyze ethical issues embedded in Social Science research.
Foundation #6: Critical Thinking and Analysis
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning Outcome: Students will be able to evaluate key concepts, assumptions, theories and research from a Social Science perspective.
Program Guidelines For Bachelor’s Degree Programs And Associate Degree Programs In Social Science With A Cultural Anthropology Concentration For Students Matriculated On or After January 2022
Bachelor’s Degree programs in Social Science with a concentration in Cultural Anthropology must meet the six foundations listed below, while Associate Degree programs are required to meet the first three. Students will explain how they meet each relevant learning outcome in their rationale essay. Knowledge of each outcome can be demonstrated through transcript credit; individual prior learning assessment (iPLA), prior learning evaluation (PLE), or credit by examination; or specific courses at Empire State College.
Foundation #1: Broad Social Science Perspective
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to define Social Science vocabulary, questions and topics.
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to examine relationships among different elements of social life (e.g., institutions, systems of belief, cultural patterns, or political and economic structures of society).
Required course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 1010 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
Foundation #2: Historical and Comparative Perspectives
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to describe how key elements of social life vary across time, place and culture.
Required courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 1010 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| and two additional courses that focus on geographic areas such as: | 8 | |
| Latin American & Caribbean Societies | ||
| East Asia | ||
| Mexico: History & Culture | ||
| Native American Histories & Cultures: Introduction | ||
| African History & Culture | ||
| Caribbean: Cruises Carnival & Colonization | ||
| Latin America in the Contemporary World | ||
| Middle East | ||
Or similar courses in consultation with your mentor. | ||
Foundation #3: Perspectives on Power and Privilege
Learning outcome: Students will be able to examine the dynamics of power and privilege in relation to race, class, gender, age, sexuality, etc.
Required courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of the following courses including | 4 | |
| Digital Culture & Society | ||
| Sex & Gender in Global Perspective | ||
| Latin American & Caribbean Societies | ||
| Immigration Today: Gender & Family | ||
| Exploring Society: An Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Race Class & Gender | ||
| Analyzing Race Class & Gender | ||
| Power & Privilege | ||
Any GSST course | ||
Or similar courses in consultation with your mentor. | ||
Foundation #4: Theoretical Perspectives
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to define relevant concepts and theories.
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to analyze the strengths, limitations and significance of relevant concepts and theories.
Required courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOSC 3015 | Great Conversations in Social Thought | 4 |
| and two additional courses that address topics in anthropological theory such as: | 8 | |
| Environmental Anthropology | ||
| Health Illness & Society | ||
| Travel & Tourism: A Critical Perspective | ||
| Families in Global Perspective | ||
| Sex & Gender in Global Perspective | ||
| Immigration Today: Gender & Family | ||
CUST 3020 Language and Culture | ||
Or similar courses in consultation with your mentor. | ||
Foundation #5: Social Science Research Methods
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to define tools and methods used in social-science research.
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to analyze strengths and limitations of social-science research methodologies.
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to analyze ethical issues embedded in social-science research.
Required course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOSC 3020 | Qualitative Social Science Research: Design & Methods | 4 |
| Additional elective research methods courses include: | ||
| Statistics for the Social Sciences | ||
| GPS & The New Geography | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
Or similar elective courses in consultation with your mentor. | ||
Foundation #6: Critical Thinking and Analysis
In relation to their chosen topics, questions or problems:
- Learning outcome: Students will be able to evaluate key concepts, assumptions, theories and research from a Social Science perspective.
Required course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Any advanced level course in Anthropology with the prefix ANTH. | ||