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Social Science
sub-fields of the discipline. Students in the course undertake a major research paper with the close
supervision of a faculty member. In the past, topics have included: campaigns and elections, democracy,
the presidency, and the judiciary.
PS496/497 Internship
Students receive supervised “hands on” work experiences.
1-17 credits
Sociology Program
Wesley Miller, Ph.D., Coordinator
Sociology focuses on “the analytical study of the development, structure and function of human groups
and societies.”
General Goals for Learning:
Students:
• Develop, what C. Wright Mills called, a “sociological imagination”;
• Are able to differentiate and apply the three dominant sociological paradigms; and
• Are able to examine social reality from a scientific perspective.
Social Science Major (45-49 credits):
Social scientists share a common interest in observing, describing, and explaining social phenomena,
including cultures, institutions, organizations, groups, and individuals. A major in social science is
designed to serve students who desire a broader exposure to social science theory, epistemology, and
application than is possible with a focus on one substantive field. Please note: course work leading to
teaching certification may be reconfigured for this area of study. Students considering teaching in this
area should be in continuous contact with the chair of this program and the School of Education for a
list of required courses. Students should also check each semester for possible changes in course work
required of them as they work toward certification at SMU.
A. Four of the following courses:
AN300 Introduction Anthropology
EC261 Principles of Microeconomics
PS102 American National Government
PY111 General Psychology
S110 Sociological Imagination
B. Both of the following courses:
H113 U.S. History to 1865
H114 U.S. History Since 1865
C. One of the following courses:
ST132 Reasoning with Statistics
ST232 Introduction to Statistics
D. The following course:
S250 Logic of Analysis
E. Six additional upper-division courses selected from two programs or departments in this major.
F. Section F or G.
The following courses:
S489 Thesis Development
S490 Research in Sociology
G. Section F or G.
The following courses; minimum six credit internship:
S496/497 Internship
S498 Internship Integration
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