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.

Degree programs in Social Science offer students the opportunity to develop individualized degree plans based on their intellectual, professional, and personal interests. General program guidelines can be found on the “Program Details” tab, and students will work with an academic mentor to choose courses that meet the guidelines and address each student’s individual interests. Students can also work with their academic mentors to identify applicable transfer credit, prior college-level learning, and possible course equivalencies. Working with a mentor and using SUNY Empire’s educational planning process, students can develop a specialized concentration in Social Science by following the general program guidelines as well as any applicable concentration guidelines. Students may also develop their own concentrations.

For more information about general undergraduate degree requirements, please visit Earning an Undergraduate Degree.

For sample degree programs and other degree planning resources, please visit the Department of Social Science and Public Affairs Degree Planning Resources web page. 

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, and they 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:

1. Broad Social Perspective
2. Historical and Comparative Perspectives
3. Perspectives on Power and Privilege
4. Theoretical Perspectives
5. Social Science Research Methods
6. 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.