The Department of Social Sciences, a combined program in the liberal arts, offers courses of study which challenge students to develop an understanding of the dynamics of individual and social behavior from a number of perspectives. The department offers programs in environmental earth science, geography, geology, history, international studies, political science, social sciences comprehensive, and sociology. Descriptions of these programs and courses are found below.
While the study of social sciences may also include criminal justice, economics, and psychology, these programs are listed under their own department headings.
The two disciplines of geography and geology are included in the Department of Social Sciences. Major and minor programs in geography are available for those wishing to teach geography or social studies in the secondary schools and for those seeking non-teaching jobs or wishing to do graduate study in geography. The department also offers a geology minor, designed primarily to provide reclamation and engineering students with a sound basis in geology essential for professional work, and a minor in Environmental Science for those who are preparing for a career working in nature.
Geography focuses on physical, economic, and social factors of the earth. It makes an attempt to observe, analyze and understand the spatial organization of these phenomena. The discipline deals with people and their settlements, cultural characteristics and economic activities, as well as with the natural factors of the environment such as landforms, climate, soils, vegetation, minerals, and environmental conditions.
The objective of a geography major is to prepare students with various cultural and natural environmental distributional patterns existing over the earth's surface. As the world is shrinking through the technological advances and transportation revolution, students should be able to adjust in the fast changing world. It will broaden their outlook about other regions and cultures and thereby make them better world citizens.
Graduates with a major in geography may be able to find jobs with federal agencies, county and municipal governments, cartography and engineering firms, insurance companies, oil companies, and planning agencies. Some graduates may pursue graduate studies in geography and others may opt to teach in schools.
All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the section "Teacher Licensure" listed under School of Education.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation.
Bachelor of Arts DegreeIn addition to the bachelor of science requirements, students must complete nine supplemental credits in a foreign language.
Majors who wish certification as a teacher must also take GEOGRPHY 3120, Geography of Wisconsin.
Students who wish a broader exposure to the social sciences may want to consider the social sciences comprehensive major, which includes courses in history, political science, economics, sociology, and psychology as well as a minor in geography.
Students who plan to teach must fulfill professional requirements in the School of Education and must enroll in GEOGRPHY 3330 Environmental Conservation. HISTORY 1430 fulfills the cooperatives requirement for the State of Wisconsin teaching certificate.
A minor in Geology demonstrates the relationship between the earth sciences and other fields. It provides students in reclamation, biology, engineering, and other allied areas with a sound basis in geology essential for professional work. Practical field experience emphasizes biological evolution, geological history and environmental problems.
The Environmental Science minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students in the sciences, engineering, reclamation, agriculture, geography, industry, biology, sociology, political science, education, and others a broad background in the many aspects of the environment. The minor is designed to supplement students' careers so that they will be better equipped to function in today's society where the environment is of prime importance.
The Department of Social Sciences offers a major and minor in history. History is the systematic study of the past. History is the foundation discipline within the liberal arts. It is the source of the social sciences. Advancing understanding of the past helps us understand human nature, broadens our perspectives, refines our judgments and provides insight into contemporary issues. The study of history is basic to our personal uniqueness, our professional identity and our civic lives.
Students of history learn important skills. The study of history requires intellectual effort to develop reading, writing, analysis and logic. Students learn to do research; to assess arguments; to interpret economic, social, political, cultural and technological change in a variety of contexts.
History majors can find work in many fields. Some are directly related to the subject matter of history, such as museums and archive work, teaching, documentary film, or historical publishing. Others use the skills that the study of history cultivates. History is a liberal arts degree that provides the basis for work in business, advertising, journalism, public relations, public administration, planning, research and professional fields, such as law.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation
History majors must demonstrate competence in writing. The writing exam is given during the junior year. See the department contact person for procedures.
Honors ProgramHistory majors with at least a 3.75 GPA in history and 3.50 overall may be invited to complete an honors research paper. Students wishing to do honors research should consult with their advisors.
International studies is available as a comprehensive interdisciplinary major and a minor offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Education in the Department of Social Sciences. The international studies major focuses on the global perspective in education. Through a cross-national approach the major is designed to make visible and explicit the interdependence that has been created by economic, technological and communications development in the contemporary world.
Students in international studies must be self-directed and confident in their ability to plan their course work to match their anticipated professional goals. This major is designed to prepare students to work effectively in the increasingly complex world. The program offers considerable flexibility for students to develop areas of specialization. Students are able to draw upon the offerings of other departments at this university. It is recommended that all majors study a foreign language, and if possible, complete a minor in that language. Also study abroad programs are available and recommended for students in this major.
The International Studies major has a core requirement of 15 credit hours. Students must choose between Track I or Track II. The list of International Education courses is found below:
Core RequiredA semester abroad is strongly recommended. Most classes taken abroad will count toward the International Studies Major.
Students who major in international studies must complete at least two years of a foreign language, and a foreign language minor is suggested.
The major requirements also include a written competency certification developed by the department. Please check at the department office for details.
A semester or year in a foreign study program, which is strongly recommended, is an ideal way to fulfill Parts Three and Four of the major.
Foreign Study ProgramsInternational Studies majors are encouraged to give consideration to a semester or year abroad in one of our foreign study locations. A semester abroad is an ideal way to complete the third part of the major because a student actually lives in the geographical region of specialization and studies aspects of the culture. With the exception of the programs in Avignon and Puebla, the language of instruction is English. In all but these two programs, fluency in a foreign language is not a prerequisite to participation. All participants study the language of the country while they are living there. The combination of classroom work and everyday exposure to and use of the language results in a degree of fluency by the end of the semester or year abroad.
Our primary study abroad locations include London, England; Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, France; Heidelberg, Germany; Dublin and Limerick, Ireland; Lisbon, Portugal; Seville, Spain; and Puebla, Mexico. In addition, programs in China, Ecuador, Jamaica, Japan, Greece and Italy are available through consortial arrangements. Detailed information about each program is available from the Office of the Institute for Study Abroad programs located in Royce Hall, Room 111 (608-342-1726).
In our global economy, employers increasingly expect graduates to possess an understanding of other nations and cultures. The International Studies minor provides students with the opportunity to study international topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students pursuing the minor in International Studies must be self-directed and able to plan course work to complement their major field of study. Students complete 12 credits of core courses, meet a foreign language proficiency requirement, and pursue 12 credits of additional coursework with a concentration on a world region or a theme of international scope. With careful planning, some of the courses students take for the minor may also help fulfill the university's general education requirements for graduation. The International Studies minor is administered by the Foreign Language's section of the Department of Humanities.
Core courses (12 credits)In the core courses of the International Studies minor, students learn to place their own cultural experience and that of others within a global context. They explore major developments in world civilization since the eighteenth century, and in particular, they investigate the concept of national power and the relations between nation-states.
Foreign language study enables students to experience first-hand the challenges and satisfaction of developing multiple cultural identities. The student not only achieves greater linguistic proficiency, but also learns about the ways in which language and culture are inextricably linked. Four high school years of the same language with a grade average of "B" or better, or four college semesters of the same language, or test out (AP or CLEP) are required. Students are encouraged to continue their foreign language beyond the fourth college semester and some courses beyond this level count toward the concentration portion of the minor.
Concentration (12 credits)Students completing the concentration portion of the International Studies minor are expected to demonstrate individual initiative. They select a subject of personal and professional interest with an international focus. Students may study a world region such as Latin America, Asia, or Europe; or they may select an international issue for further study. It is the responsibility of the student, in consultation with the International Studies advisor, to prepare a proposal for the concentration portion of the minor. The proposal should include a list of courses totaling twelve credits and a written justification for the chosen course. ( See the advisor for samples of approved proposals.)
The Department of Social Sciences offers a major and minor in Political Science. Political science is the study of governmental institutions and decision-making in the political arena. Political science focuses on political systems by looking at American institutions, public law, public administration, public policy, political theory, political behavior, comparative politics, and international relations. Political science is a discipline in the social sciences and part of the liberal arts approach to education.
Students in political science learn skills in writing and critical thinking. They are asked to learn to question, analyze and consider solutions to political problems. Research abilities are important for future individual and professional success.
Students seeking employment rather than graduate or professional (law) school should consider courses in administration and management. Those planning on graduate school should take political theory courses and research methods.
Political science majors must demonstrate a writing proficiency. Please see the department contact person for the requirements.
Note: some emphases are administered by departments other than the Department of Social Sciences. For simplicity, however, all emphases and their requirements are listed in this section.
The Social Sciences Comprehensive major includes course work in economics, geography, history, political science, sociology and psychology. A minor in economics, geography, history or psychology is required; this is considered the area of emphasis. Students who wish a broad liberal arts program will find it within the Social Sciences Comprehensive major.
Students who plan to teach will also find the Social Sciences Comprehensive major useful. Students completing the Social Sciences Comprehensive major meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction certification requirements for a teaching license in broad field social studies and in the area of emphasis. This means the student will be able to teach fusion courses in the social sciences and courses in the specific discipline of the area of emphasis. Students may be certified to teach courses in any of the above social sciences disciplines by completing a total of 15 credits in that discipline. (Note: Completion of the requirements for this major provide automatic certification for teaching history, in every emphasis except economics.) All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the section "Teacher Licensure" listed under School of Education
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation.
36 credits from the following list (30 are required, 6 are electives)
Geography required courses:Social Sciences Comprehensive majors not in education must demonstrate competence in writing. The writing exam is given during the junior year. See the department contact person for procedures.
Students planning to teach may want to choose a Social Sciences minor.
Note: Geography 3330, Environmental Conservation is a DPI GER requirement for education majors, but it does not count toward the Social Sciences Minor.
Economics (3 credits):Note: POLISCI 1230 Introduction to American Government is a DPI GER requirement for Education majors, but it does not count toward this Social Sciences minor.
Sociology (3 credits):Note: PSYCHLGY 3530 Adolescent Psychology can be taken to satisfy GER requirements for Education majors, but it does not count toward the Social Sciences minor.
Sociology is the study of society and its component parts groups, cultures, norms, roles and their institutional and organizational relationships. Sociology is a discipline in the social sciences and part of the liberal arts approach to education. The Department of Social Sciences offers a minor in sociology which requires a minimum of 24 credits including no fewer than 12 credits at the 3000 level or above.
Students often minor in sociology if their majors are criminal justice or psychology. Both of these disciplines lead to employment in the criminal justice system, or the social welfare system.
Students of sociology learn important skills in reading, writing, analysis and logic. Students learn to do research and to interpret social, economic, political, cultural and technical change in a variety of contexts.
The sociology minor requires a minimum of 24 credits including no fewer than 12 credits at the 3000 level or above.