Social & Behavioral Sciences, B.A

Empowering you to develop solutions to today’s most pressing social issues and improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities everywhere.

The B.A. in Social & Behavioral Sciences program will offer you a highly personalized plan of study analyzing important social issues by integrating perspectives from anthropology, history, political economy, geographic information systems (GIS), and Native American studies in a way that best aligns with your unique academic and career goals.

Empowering You to Excel in Your Chosen Profession

The program will expand your understanding of society’s most pressing issues and position you to develop the knowledge and skills for a fulfilling, impactful career addressing these problems and improving the lives of individuals and families.

The program offers excellent preparation for you to thrive in any number of career fields and professional roles working with people and communities, some of which include:

  • Civil Service
  • Counseling
  • Criminal Justice
  • Nonprofit/Community Organizations
  • Public Service
  • Research/Analysis
  • Social Work
  • Teacher, College Level
  • Teacher, K-12
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Public University Price, Private University Experience

A Lifetime of Value

Social & Behavioral Sciences, B.A.

The Social & Behavioral Sciences program will prepare you with an understanding of the concepts and principles of classical and contemporary social theories; the ability to collect, manage, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; a strong knowledge base of at least one area of concentration; and effectively apply appropriate theories and methods to the study of social problems.

 

Educational Objectives

Our comprehensive approach to the field will introduce and expose you to multiple cultural perspectives, scholarly theories, and research methods to empower you to find innovative ways to solve problems. 

Our customizable curriculum will allow you to shape your courses and overall learning experience around your unique academic and career goals.

Our individualized capstone research project will provide you with the opportunity to design your own project, with guidance from faculty mentors, that will demonstrate your knowledge and skills in an area you find personally meaningful and relevant.

Our areas of concentration in Anthropology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Political Economy, Social History, and Native American Studies will integrate a robust range of perspectives to your studies and enable you to pursue a deeper understanding in whichever areas you’re most interested in.

Complete all of the following Social Theory and Application courses:

 

Complete one of the following Research Methods courses:

**This course may be double counted only in the Sociology concentration 

 

Complete one of the following Social Scientific Writing courses:

***This course may be double counted only in the Social History and Native American Studies concentrations

 

Complete one of the following Social Science Breadth courses:

 

ANTHROPOLOGY MINOR

Complete all of the following courses:

 

Complete one of the following courses:

 

Complete one of the following courses:

 

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION

Complete both of the following courses:

 

Complete two of the following courses, not previously taken:

 

POLITICAL ECONOMY CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

 

Complete one of the following courses:

 

SOCIAL HISTORY CONCENTRATION

Complete both of the following courses:

 

Complete one of the following Ethnic Histories courses:

 

Complete one of the following Global and Transnational History courses:

 

Complete one of the following History Depth courses:

 

SOCIOLOGY CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

 

Complete at least 12 units from the following courses:

 

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

 

Complete two of the following courses:

 

Our inspiring coastal location will provide you with distinctive opportunities to study social issues related to human interaction with the environment and the local area, such as tourism, climate change, agriculture, environmental justice, animal-human interaction, and more.

Faculty & Staff

Our faculty are accomplished experts in their fields and will work closely with you to develop an experience most relevant to your goals, while mentoring and supporting you every step of the way.

Amanda Pullum

Amanda Pullum

Associate Professor

Amanda Pullum

Amanda Pullum

Department Chair AY

Amanda Pullum

Amanda Pullum

Special Consultant

Amanda Pullum

Amanda Pullum

Special Consultant

Yong Lao

Yong Lao

Professor

Rebecca Bales

Rebecca Bales

Associate Professor

Frederik Vermote

Frederik Vermote

Associate Professor

Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the Social & Behavioral Sciences program.

Our experienced and supportive admissions staff is here to provide all the individualized guidance you need.

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