Social Theory and Practice Major

Effective Fall 2014-Summer 2015

May be elected as a departmental major

The RC Social Theory and Practice Major supports students in developing the analytical and practical skills necessary for active engagement in the world and for building careers that promote equality and responsible citizenship. Students learn theories, methods, and strategies that enable them to understand and critique social structures and processes and to become effective actors in struggles for justice.

Students wishing to pursue a problem-centered interdisciplinary program in the social sciences must develop a plan for the major in consultation with department advisors and complete the following requirements:

Prerequisites to the Major. 

1.  RCSSCI 260 “Understanding Power, Theorizing Knowledge” and RCSSCI 290, a one credit course taken in the same academic term that helps develop a prospectus for the major.
2.  One other “gateway” course, either an RCSSCI 200 level course or another course chosen in consultation with the STP department advisor. The aim of the gateway course is to introduce students to issues and approaches in the social sciences as well as to the ways questions are framed from different disciplinary perspectives.

Requirements for the Major. 

1. Required courses:
   1. Two courses in social theory. RCSSCI 301 is required; a second may be RCSSCI 302 or an approved substitute in LSA.
   2. One course in quantitative methods (STATS 250, SOC 310, SOC 312, or ECON 404)
   3. A research seminar, RCSSCI 460, in which the student completes a Senior Project or Senior Thesis.
2. Thematic Courses (at least 16 credits): A minimum of four courses at the upper level (300 and above), chosen as part of the approved plan for the major. RCSSCI 460 does not count toward this requirement.

May be elected as a departmental major

The RC Social Theory and Practice major supports students in developing the analytical and practical skills necessary for active engagement in the world and for building careers that promote equality and responsible citizenship. Students learn theories, methods, and strategies that enable them to understand and critique social structures and processes and to become effective actors in struggles for justice.

Students wishing to pursue a problem-centered interdisciplinary program in the social sciences must develop a plan for the major in consultation with department advisors and complete the following requirements:

Prerequisites:

RCSSCI 260 "Understanding Power, Theorizing Knowledge" and RCSSCI 290, a one credit course taken in the same semester that helps develop a major prospectus.

One other "gateway" course, either an RCSSCI 200 level courses or another course chosen in consultation with the STP department advisor. The aim of the gateway course is to introduce students to issues and approaches in the social sciences as well as to the ways questions are framed from different disciplinary perspectives.

Required courses:

Two courses in social theory. RCSSCI 301 is required; a second may be RCSSCI 302 or an approved substitute in LSA.

 One course in quantitative methods (STATS 250, SOC 310, SOC 312, or ECON 404)

A research seminar, RCSSCI 460, in which the student completes a Senior Project or Senior Thesis.

Specialization: A minimum of five courses (20 credits) at the upper level (300 and above), chosen as part of the approved plan for the major.