Social Science

The Social Science Interdisciplinary major focuses primarily on human institutions and behavior, examining their interplay from the perspective of various disciplines.

The social sciences include American ethnic studies, anthropology, economics, geography, history, mass communications, political science, psychology, sociology and gender, women, and sexuality studies.

Cutting across these varied disciplines, the interdisciplinary Social Science major offers more latitude in its curriculum design, allowing students to pursue unique intellectual ventures, particularly those that require the synthesis of multiple disciplines.

It can also serve as an undergraduate pathway to graduate programs.

The major is not available to those students earning a degree in one of the individual social science disciplines.

Social Science Advising

To make an advising appointment, call (785) 532-6904, email artsci@ksu.edu or visit 107 Calvin Hall.

To make an advising appointment, call (785) 532-6904 or visit 107 Calvin Hall.

Social Science Program Requirements

1) You must meet the Basic Requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences to obtain an interdisciplinary degree.

2) Consult with your assigned social science advisor. You must submit a proposal that outlines your thematic emphasis (at least twelve hours). It should also include a tentative list of other courses you will take to fill the major requirements.

3) You may (upon approval) bring one course into the major from outside the stipulated social sciences if it relates directly to your theme. No more than one outside course may be applied unless it seems necessary (upon approval) to fulfill a well-defined thematic objective.

4) In order to design an appropriate curriculum, you may need to consult with faculty members who can offer expertise in your specific area of interest. This should be done as early as possible, ideally with less than sixty hours completed.

5) 36 credit hours are needed in the major. Those hours must meet the following criteria:

At least three hours from each of four different social science disciplines
At least nine hours in one social science discipline (including one course at the 500-699 level)
At least fifteen hours in social science disciplines at the 500-699 level
The bulleted requirements listed above may be overlapped in any combination.
No more than nine hours may overlap between the Basic Requirements and Major Curriculum
One course completed in social science research methods or data analysis. It may overlap with Arts & Sciences basic requirements but not with any other major requirements. It may be any Statistics course that the student is qualified to take or:

- GEOG 700: Quantitative Analysis in Geography
- HIST 586: Junior Seminar in History
- POLSC 400: Political Inquiry and Analysis
- POLSC 700: Research Meth. in Political Science
- PSYCH 350: Experimental Meth. in Psychology
- SOCIO 520: Methods of Social Research

A 2.0 GPA is necessary both overall and in the major curriculum. 120 hours are required to graduate. (Students who entered KSU before Fall 2003 require only 120 hours for graduation).

FAQ's

Q: What college am I in?
A: Arts and Sciences

Q: What is the name of my degree?
A: BS (Bachelor of Science) or BA (Bachelor of Arts)

Q: What is my major?
A: Interdisciplinary Social Science

Q: What about my minor?
A: If you have completed a minor, you will need to complete the paperwork in the appropriate department. Minors do not appear on your diploma, but they do appear on your transcript.

Q: Where do I send my transfer transcript?
A: Have that information sent to the Office of Admissions in 119 Anderson Hall.