Overview
The Social Studies B.A. gives students knowledge of and appreciation for the complexity and diversity of human history, cultural traditions, and cross-cultural interaction, as well as expertise in reading critically, researching carefully, thinking rigorously, and writing persuasively. Through the study of the institutions, values, systems, leaders, and the interrelatedness of historical peoples and nations, students will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to understand the present, engage contemporary challenges, and address future problems. Students will prepare to teach if they pursue a M.A. in Teaching after completing this degree. Students will investigate social studies problems, identify reliable sources, provide evidence for a position, contextualize information, and understand past events and actors from multiple perspectives, and all through the lens of a Christian worldview.
Social Studies majors must attain a grade of C or higher in HIST2360 to enroll in 3000- and 4000-level HIST courses. To graduate, Social Studies majors must also complete HIST-1350, HIST-1385, HIST-2310, HIST-2320, and HIST-4390 with a grade of C or higher.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum
Required Courses
Communication
Choose one from the list below.
Literature
Choose one from the list below.
Fine Arts
Choose one from the list below.
Mathematics
Choose one from the list below.
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| Any 1000-level math course 1310 or higher | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 44 |
Major Requirements
Required Courses
Economics
Choose one from the list below.
Western History
Choose three courses from the list below.
Non-Western History
Choose three courses from the list below.
Social Studies Electives
Choose two courses from the list below.
Senior Seminar
Choose one from the list below.
| HIST-4390 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SSED-4390 | Senior Seminar for Social Studies Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 57 |
Notes: History courses are divided into Western History and Non-Western History, though some courses (such as Latin America courses and US-Middle East Relations) can count as either. The “Open History Electives” category refers to any history course 3000-level or above except for HIST-4390, Senior Seminar.
| Total Free Elective Requirements |
20 |
| Total Degree Requirements |
121 |
Mission Statement and Outcomes
The Social Studies B.A. provides a strong foundation in historical research and writing as well as other social studies disciplines, such as economics and politics. This background equips students to pursue a M.A. in Teaching and teach secondary education at all kinds of institutions with exceptional training, though students are equally well equipped to pursue a variety of careers such as public history, journalism, business, and government service. All this preparation occurs in the framework of a Christian worldview.
Outcomes for the program include:
1. Students will be able to identify and explain relationships between major events, key developments, prominent individuals, and influential ideas in Western Civilization.
2. Students will be able to identify and explain relationships between major events, key developments, prominent individuals, and influential ideas in United States history.
3. Students will be able to analyze historical and political events from a Christian worldview.
4. Students will be able to construct a history research paper with a clear, coherent, and convincing argument in support of a thesis on a topic of historical significance.