Definition of Social Sciences for General Education:

The social sciences examine how individuals, groups, institutions, and societies behave and influence one another and the natural environment. Courses in this group enable students to analyze and understand interactions of the numerous social factors that influence behavior at the individual, cultural, societal, national, or international level. They use the methods and theories of social science inquiry to develop critical thought about current social issues and problems.

Criteria:

Courses appropriate to this category must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Introduce students to theories and concepts of the social sciences.

2. Introduce students to methods used in the social sciences, including consideration of the ethical problems social scientists face.

3. Introduce students to ways in which individuals, groups, institutions, or societies behave and influence one another and the natural environment.

4. Provide students with tools to analyze social, political, or economic groups/organizations (such as families, communities, or governments), and to examine social issues and problems at the individual, cultural, societal, national, or international level. Social issues that might be addressed include gender, race, social class, political power, economic power, and cross-cultural interaction.