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. 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.
Curriculum
The associate of arts degree program in social sciences requires the completion of 60 credits of coursework. This program has two basic purposes:
- It offers an immediate degree goal for students seeking a general introduction to the social sciences (psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and anthropology); and
- 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
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| MAT 106 | Calculus for the Non-Sciences | 3 |
| MAT 131 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
| 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 Credits | 30 |
Business Track
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| MAT 105 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 106 | Calculus for the Non-Sciences | 3 |
| ECO 101 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ACC 201 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 202 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| |
| Total Credits | 18 |
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.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours. 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.
Major Requirements
(21 courses)
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 48 |
| |
| Biological Anthropology
and Sociocultural Anthropology | |
| |
| |
| |
| Oral Communication | |
| Communication Theory | |
| Writing for the Public Media | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Mass Communication and Society | |
| Introduction to Research Methods | |
| |
| |
| Principles of Macroeconomics
and Principles of Microeconomics | |
| |
| |
| History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction
and History of the United States: 1877 to the Present | |
| |
| |
| The American Constitution
and American Political Process | |
| |
| |
| Introduction to Psychology I
and Introduction to Psychology II | |
| |
| |
| Introduction to Sociology
and Contemporary Social Problems | |
| |
| |
| MAT 131 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
| 3 |
| Research Methods | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Qualitative Research Methods | |
| Total Credits | 54 |
