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. Core Curriculum Requirements:
See pages 38-40 of this catalog or go to /academics/core.asp for the Core Curriculum requirements.  All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.

2. 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 level 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

3.  Free electives:
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours

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. Core Curriculum Requirements:
See pages 38-40 of this catalog or go to /academics/core.asp for the Core Curriculum requirements.  All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.

2. Major course requirements: (8 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 1, 2  
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
Electives (2 courses)  

3.  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 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  It is recommended that students in the Business Track take courses in the business core as their electives.

2  It is recommended that students in the Business Track who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting take ACC 211 and ACC 212.