Patricia Clayback, Director.

The social science major 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.

Social Sciences Curriculum:

1.  ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) (12 credits)
2. Area Studies: Two courses from each
of these areas: I, III, V, VI, VIII. Two
courses from Area IV if History is not included
in major course requirements.
  One course
from Area VII.  (11 or 13 courses)
(33 or 39 credits)
3. Major course requirements: (21 courses)  
  Basic social sciences: four courses each from four
of the following departments, for a total of 16 courses:


Anthropology: ANT121-122 plus two 300/400
level courses


Communication Studies: two of the following: 
COM 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, plus two 300/400 level courses


Economics: ECO 101-102, plus two 300/400 l
evel courses


History: HIS 123-124, plus two 300/400 level courses

Political Science: PSC 103-104 plus two 300/400 level courses

Psychology: PSY 101-102, plus two Psychology courses above 100 level

Sociology: SOC 110 and SOC 111, plus two 300/400 level courses
(48 credits)
  Three additional 300/400 level courses in one
of the chosen departments: Interdisciplinary
courses may be substituted for one or more
department courses
(9 credits)
  MAT 131 Statistics and Computers   (3 credits)
  Social Sciences methods: PSC 217, SOC 342, or URS 350 or ANT 351 (3 credits)
   
4. Electives (4 or 2 courses) (12 or 6 credits)
Total (40 courses) (120 credits)

Recommended Schedule:
(Variants for History as part of concentration are in brackets.)

Fall       Spring                       
Freshman Year      
ENG 101 3 credits ENG 102 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
Social Science elective   Social Science elective  
[HIS 123] 3 credits [HIS 124] 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
 
Sophomore Year      
RST 101 3 credits PHI 101 3 credits
MAT 131 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits AS 3 credits
AS 3 credits Elective 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
 
Junior Year      
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Social Science methods 3 credits Concentration elective 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS [Elective] 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
 
Senior Year      
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
Concentration elective 3 credits Concentration elective 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS [Elective] 3 credits
AS 3 credits Elective 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
    Total 120 credits

Associate of Arts Degree
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):

1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) (12 credits)
2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these
areas: IV, VIII. One course from each of these
areas: I, III, V, VI
(8 courses)
(24 credits)
3. Major course requirements: (8 or 6 courses)  
  Social Sciences Track-   
  MAT 106 Calculus for the Non-Sciences I  (3 credits)
  MAT 131 Statistics and Computers  (3 credits)
  Social Sciences electives: two courses from
each of three areas:  
  Economics (ECO 101-102)
  Political Science (PSC 101-102)
  Psychology (PSY 101-102)
  Sociology (SOC 110-111 or ANT 121-122)
 
(18 credits)
  Business Track 2, 3-  
  QNT 101 Quantitative Methods for Business (3 credits)
  MAT 106 Calculus for the Non-Sciences I (3 credits)
  ECO 101 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
  ECO 102 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
  ACC 2012 Financial Accounting (3 credits)
  ACC 2022 Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
4. Electives   
  Social Sciences Track-
(0 course)
(0 credits))
  Business Track3-
(2 courses)
(6 credits)
Total  (20 courses) (60 credits)

Recommended Schedule:
(Variants for Business Track are in brackets.)

Fall        Spring                     
Freshman Year      
ENG 101 3 credits ENG 102 3 credits
MAT 106 [QNT 101] 3 credits MAT 131 [MAT 106] 3 credits
Social Science elective   Social Science elective 3 credits
  [ECO 101] 3 credits   [ECO 102]
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
 
Sophomore Year      
Social Science elective Social Science elective
  [ACC 201] 3 credits   [ACC 202 or ACC 212] 3 credits
Social Science elective 3 credits Social Science elective 3 credits
  [Elective]   [Elective]
RST 101 3 credits PHI 101 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
AS 3 credits AS 3 credits
Total 15 credits Total 15 credits
    Total 60 credits

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 hours 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.




1  Area II and one course in Area VII is automatically fulfilled by the required courses in those areas.

2  It is recommended that students in the business track take courses in the business core as their electives.

3  It is recommended that students in the Business Track who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting take ACC 201-212.