The social sciences study human endeavor and civic action. At Faulkner University, based in Montgomery and with campuses throughout Alabama, students have two choices for social science degrees, Bachelor of Science in Social Science with History Emphasis, and Bachelor of Science in Social Science with Political Science Emphasis. Both degrees can lead to a broad range of careers in education and government, as well as become a springboard for application to a variety of graduate programs, including law school. With a curriculum based on Christian values and advice from outstanding faculty, students studying social sciences at Faulkner University find guidance as they choose subjects to study in-depth and move toward their future careers.
Social Science Degree with History Emphasis
The study of history does more than remember the past – it helps students learn and develop arguments, and it broadens viewpoints by introducing a variety of cultures. Skills that are valued in many careers, such as cataloging, filing, tracking, and cross-referencing, as well as drawing out logical connections and recognizing similarities, are fundamental to the historian. Students who earn a B.S. in Social Science with History Emphasis may move into several careers, such as:
- Secondary history teacher (may require additional certification)
- Graduate programs in history, library science, international relations, archives management, or museum studies
- Entry-level positions as a historian, archive manager, landmark conservation officer, museum curator, civil service administrators, and researchers
Curriculum for Social Science Degree with History Emphasis
As with all bachelor’s degrees at Faulkner University, students receive a core curriculum thoroughly grounded in Christian literacy and western cultural traditions. The B.S. in Social Science with History Emphasis degree program consists of 123 credit hours. The departmental requirements consist of several challenging courses, such as American Constitutional Government, World Regional Geography, Research & Writing in the Social Sciences, and foreign languages, so that students are well-prepared for further study of history and the social sciences.
As students progress in their social science degree, the history emphasis requires these courses:
- Survey of U.S. History to 1877
- Survey of U.S. History from 1877 to Present
- World Civilization I & II
- Civil War and Reconstruction
- History of the Civil Rights Movement
- Historiography and the Philosophy of History
Social Science Degree with a Political Science Emphasis
This course of study helps students understand citizenship and the processes of politics, which include and overlap with several fields, such as economics, psychology, geography, and international relations. Graduates are prepared for careers in the following areas:
- Political strategy and elections
- Public policy development and administration
- Surveying, polling, and electoral process
In addition, many students find a social science degree that emphasizes political science to be an excellent pre-law degree. Since admission to law school requires specific scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), they can choose classes that will prepare them to apply to law school after graduation.
Curriculum for Social Science Degree with Political Science Emphasis
With a core curriculum that includes classes in Biblical worldview and Christian ethics, the B.S. in Social Science with a Political Science Emphasis consists of 123 credit hours. After taking the required social science departmental requirements, these additional courses are offered for the political science emphasis:
- Parties, Politics, & Elections
- State and Local Government
- Political Theory and Thought
- American Foreign Policy
- Comparative Government Institutions
- Comparative Political Economy
- International Relations
Earn a Social Science Degree at Faulkner University in Alabama
The social sciences provide students with a thorough education, and hands-on experience with logic, writing, communication, and research skills. Whether students choose to earn a social science degree with an emphasis in history or political science, they will receive superior preparation for careers in the many fields that span these two areas of study, as well as an avenue to pursue graduate studies or law school. Apply now or request more information today.