Social Sciences Program

The social science program of courses deals with mankind’s political, social, economic and psychological interrelatedness as studied in the fields of sociology, anthropology, history, political science, communication studies, economics and psychology. Students in this program develop and refine their insights into human behavior through a wide range of social observation, inquiry and study. By allowing a considerable degree of freedom in choosing electives, the program permits a meaningful flexibility not found in more restrictive curricula.

Qualifications

Students must maintain an overall 2.0 cumulative average to graduate with a degree from Canisius.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Major advisors are normally assigned in the sophomore year, but may be requested in the freshman year to supplement a student's freshman advisor (their GRIF 101 facilitator). Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Students interested in pursuing this degree at either the major or Associates level should contact an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The associate of arts degree program in social sciences requires the completion of 60 credits of coursework. This program has two basic purposes:

  1. It offers an immediate degree goal for students seeking a general introduction to the social sciences (psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and anthropology); and
  2. It provides a basic foundation for those who wish to go on for a bachelor’s degree.

The program contains a second track designed for the prospective business major. Students who plan baccalaureate studies in the future are encouraged to choose the track which is more appropriate for them. If a student remains at Canisius College, all of the coursework in the associate degree program is transferable and applicable to the bachelor’s program.

Social Sciences Curriculum (Associate Degree)

Core Curriculum Requirements

All students complete Core Curriculum requirements as part of their overall Canisius Education. These requirements can be found at the Core Curriculum website.

Major Course Requirements

(8 courses)

Social Sciences Track

Required Courses
MAT 106Calculus for the Non-Sciences3
MAT 131Statistics for Social Sciences3
Social Science Electives
Select three of the following area sequences:18
Principles of Macroeconomics
and Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Psychology I
and Introduction to Psychology II
PSC 103
& PSC 104		The American Constitution
and American Political Process		6
Introduction to Sociology
and Contemporary Social Problems
Biological Anthropology
and Sociocultural Anthropology
Total Credits30

Business Track

Required Courses
MAT 105Finite Mathematics3
MAT 106Calculus for the Non-Sciences3
ECO 101Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECO 102Principles of Microeconomics3
ACC 201Financial Accounting3
ACC 202Managerial Accounting3
Electives
2 courses from the business core
Total Credits18

Free Electives

Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 60 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 60 credit hours.

Other Associate’s Degree Regulations

The basic residency requirement for A.A. degrees is 30 credit hours, at least 15 of which must be completed in traditional classroom situations. No more than 30 credits may be transferred from another institution. Not all courses at other institutions are applicable to the associate degree, and transfer students are required to have a transfer evaluation completed by the college.

For more information contact the dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.

General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum.

Free Electives

Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum or Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum of 120 credit hours required for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.

Major Requirements

(21 courses)

Basic Social Sciences
Select four courses each from four of the following departments, for a total of 16 courses:48
Anthropology:
Biological Anthropology
and Sociocultural Anthropology
Plus two 300/400 level courses
Communication Studies:
Select two of the following:
Oral Communication
Communication Theory
Writing for the Public Media
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication and Society
Introduction to Research Methods
Plus two 300/400 level courses
Economics:
Principles of Macroeconomics
and Principles of Microeconomics
Plus two 300/400 level courses
History:
History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction
and History of the United States: 1877 to the Present
Plus two 300/400 level courses
Political Science:
The American Constitution
and American Political Process
Plus two 300/400 level courses
Psychology:
Introduction to Psychology I
and Introduction to Psychology II
Plus two Psychology courses above 100 level
Sociology:
Introduction to Sociology
and Contemporary Social Problems
Plus two 300/400 level courses
Additional Courses
Three additional 300/400 level courses in one of the chosen departments: Interdisciplinary courses may be substituted for one or more department courses
MAT 131Statistics for Social Sciences3
Social Sciences Methods - Select one of the following:3
Research Methods
Social Research Methods
Qualitative Research Methods
Total Credits54