Social and Behavioral Sciences, B.A.~ Degree Requirements

Credits Required

Total semester credits: 120

Semester credits in the major: 24

Outcomes, Courses, and Assessment

You officially begin the major by co-enrolling in the SBS 300 Major ProSeminar and SBS 308. SBS 300 is a large class where you will meet all of the new SBS majors, a cohort of scholars that will graduate with you in about four semesters. You  will work closely with a professor to create an Individual Learning Plan. That ILP maps out how you will achieve your career and occupational objectives using courses selected from the SBS curriculum. You will graduate from the program with a Social and Behavioral Sciences B.A., completing a minor or concentration in a traditional discipline as well. Your competence as a social or behavioral scientist will be demonstrated when you complete and formally present your Capstone Research Project. This project is your design and original research. You will present it publicly to demonstrate your cumulative learning in the Major Learning Outcomes described below [Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone].

SBS MLO 1 Understanding of social and behavioral sciences theory including ~ understanding of classic and contemporary theories of society, groups, and individuals ~ability to apply and interpret integrative theoretical frameworks to explain social phenomena at local and global levels ~ ability to assess how the primary social and behavioral sciences issues (e.g. human behaviors, community social relations, socioeconomic patterns, local and global interactions, cultural and political dynamics, race, ethnicity, class, gender, and human sexuality) are influenced by geographical and historical processes

SBS MLO 2 Research methodology, information management, retrieval, and analysis competency including ~ ability to use appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods ~ ability to effectively use modern electronic technologies and statistical software to collect, manage, present, and analyze social, cultural, economic, historical, geographical, political, and psychological data ~ competence in statistical analysis, cultural resources assessment, evaluation of public economic policies and programs, geospatial data management, social needs assessment, and geographic information systems (GIS)

SBS MLO 3 Specialized disciplinary and area studies competency including ~ preparation for a smooth transition into postgraduate training in schools that may not have an interdisciplinary focus ~ solid foundation in at least one traditional discipline such as anthropology, archaeology, cultural geography, geographic information systems, social history, political economy, political science, social psychology, or sociology ~ knowledge of diverse cultures within and outside of the United States

SBS MLO 4 Application of social science principles and practices in real world contexts including ~ ability to apply knowledge of SBS theories and methods in the assessment of real-world problems ~ application of SBS technical and research skills in real-world contexts for the purpose of identifying social issues and solutions ~ demonstration of problem-solving skills pertaining to issues of immediate local and global concern or of specific relevance to diverse cultural or underrepresented populations within or beyond the California Central Coast region ~ ability to identify social and behavioral science analytical tools and applications that meet specific SBS or local/global community needs ~ demonstrated ability to identify, use, and apply such tools and applications within the guidelines and ethical standards set by the SBS disciplines and the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects at CSUMB

Concentrations

Anthropology Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • All of the following:SBS 336 Advanced Topics in Cultural Anthropology; SBS 345 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology II; SBS 362 Ethnographic Research: Methods and Analysis; SBS 362L Ethnographic Research Lab
  • At least two of the following: SBS 314 Archaeology Technologies; SBS 370 Applied Research and Writing in the Social Sciences; SBS 371 Applications of GIS to the Social Sciences; SBS 384S Cultural Context of Bilingual Education; SBS 388 Crisis and Development in Mexican Societies; SBS 480 The Querétaro Project; SBS 485 Applied Research in Mexican Peasant Communities 

Archaeology Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • SBS 320S Hispanic California, 1542-1848; SBS 324S Archaeology: From Map to Museum
    SBS 324L Archaeology Projects Lab; SBS 325 Art of the Aztec Empire; SBS 332 Archaeology and World Prehistory; SBS 348 Ancient Maya Civilization; SBS 360 Archaeology of a California Mission; SBS 360L California Missions Project Lab; SBS 383 Ancient African Civilizations; SBS 397 Menorca Summer Field Program in Archaeology, Section 1:  Archaeology Field Methods and Section 2:  Archaeology Lab Methods
  • Extended studies offerings: EN 241 Science of the California Missions
  • Supplemental requirements: SBS 100 Understanding Biological Anthropology; SBS 318 Computing Skills for the Social Sciences; SBS 327 Introduction to GIS; SBS 371 Application of GIS
  • Recommended courses: BS 386 Social and Political History of California; SBS 436 Advanced Geographic Information Systems; SBS 475 Fort Ord Historic Documents Project; VPA 320s Museum Foundation Studies

Geographic Information Systems Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • Both of the following: SBS 327S Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS); SBS 436 Advanced Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems
  • At least one of the following: SBS 352 World Regional Geography; SBS 356 People, Places, and Environment: A Geographic Perspective
  • At least two of the following: CST 231 Problem Solving and Programming; CST 232 MS Visual Basic Programming; CST 233 Intermediate Programming in MS Visual Basic; ESSP 332 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); SBS 371 Applications of GIS to the Social Sciences

Political Economy Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • All of the following: SBS 351 Introduction to Global Economics: Ethical and Scientific Decision Making Processes; SBS 351L Introduction to Global Economics Lab; SBS 381 Political Economy and Social History: Vietnam and the U.S. since 1880 OR SBS 333 Economic Thought:  History and Contemporary Interpretations and Critique during semesters when SBS 381 is not offered
  • Three of the following: GS 370 Global Political Economy; ESSP 280 Economics, Policy, and Management:  Earth Systems Applications; ESSP 309 Science and Policy of Global Change; SBS 333 Economic Thought:  History and Contemporary Interpretations and Critique; SBS 359S Global Dimensions of Political Economy:  Gender and Work in Third World Countries

Social History Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • SBS 350 Domination and Resistance of 20th century U.S.: Social Histories
  • One of the following: SBS 381 Vietnam and the U.S.: Political Economy and Social History since 1880;
     SBS 385 Social and Environmental History of California
  • Three of the following: SBS 315 Growth and Conflict in the U.S. 1775-1920; SBS 324S Archaeology: Map to Museum; SBS 332 World Pre-History; SBS 355 Archaeological Thought in the Americas; SBS 360S Archaeology of a California Mission; SBS 365 The Black Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968
     SBS 383 Ancient African Civilizations; SBS 475 Fort Ord Historic Documents Project; GS 314 Global History: The Ancient Era; GS 315 Global History: The Modern Era; HCOM 345 Chicano Life and History; HCOM 346 African American History and Life; HCOM 350 Oral History and Community Memory; HCOM 352 History According to the Movies; HCOM 353 California at the Crossroads; HCOM 354 Whose America? Contested Memories in Public History; HCOM 355 Women’s History of Monterey Bay; HCOM 356 Multicultural History in the New Media Classroom; HCOM 358 Law in U.S. Societies;
    additional courses depending on student learning objectives as specified in the Individual Learning Plan

Sociology Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:

  • At least five of the following: SBS 212 Social and Political History of the United States; SBS 330 Crime and Violence; SBS 338 Social Psychology; SBS 340 Human Development; SBS 374 Abnormal Psychology from a Multicultural Perspective; SBS 381 Vietnam and the United States; SBS 384S Cultural Context of Bilingual Education; SBS 395 Special Topics: Virtual Learning Lab in the Social Sciences; SBS 397 Independent Study; GS 320 Global Issues and the Third World; GS 350 Gender/Violence in Global Life; GS 360 Encountering Religion; CHHS 350 Personal/Professional Ethics

Subject Preparation for Teaching Credential in History and Social Science

The Social and Behavioral Sciences major offers a pathway into a teaching credential program for prospective high school teachers. For this pathway you should select the Social History Concentration. If you complete this state-certified curriculum, you will receive a waiver from completing the comprehensive qualifying exam (CSET) in order to be admitted to a single-subject (high school) teacher credential program after you complete your B.A.

 

Revised 5/6/05