Social Sciences, B.A.

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4453

Program Description

The Social Sciences major is designed to pro­vide students with a liberal arts experience from the perspective of the social sciences. It is innovative both in its interdisciplinary approach to subject matter and the options it offers students to pursue their goals, wheth­er in graduate school or government or the foreign service, in international agencies or business, in the law, teaching or community service. In addition to completing the major (i.e. meeting the requirements indicated in Groups I & II), students may choose to add (i) concentrations or minors in Criminal Jus­tice, History, International Studies, Pre-Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or (ii) minors in career-related areas such as In­ternational Business, Finance, Human Servic­es, and Education. Career opportunities tra­ditionally available to liberal arts students are much enhanced by the flexibility the Social Science major permits. In its interdisciplinary approach, its emphasis on breadth as well as depth of learning, and its focus on practical skills, the Social Science major prepares stu­dents, for leadership roles in their communi­ties and the world, and for self-fulfillment, and for success in their careers.

Learning Outcomes

Students in the B.A. in Social Sciences pro­gram will 1) possess a broad, liberal arts foundation and an understanding of how developments in social and intellectual his­tory shape and affect human values and in­stitutions; 2) demonstrate an understanding of basic social science methods; 3) demon­strate that they are conversant (i.e., possess a basic grasp) in the disciplines subsumed under the “social science” rubric at the Uni­versity of Bridgeport, i.e., political science, economics, international studies, and sociol­ogy; 4) demonstrate a more advanced “work­ing knowledge” of at least one social science discipline; 5) demonstrate they possess the cognitive competencies and study skills to succeed in advanced/graduate studies in any of the social sciences or in law or business; 6) demonstrate that they have the competen­cies needed to function competently in an entry-level social science-related career; and 7) demonstrate competency in written and oral communication.