Social and Behavioral Sciences B.A.~ Degree Requirements
Total semester credits: 120
Semester credits in the major: 24
All SBS students must complete either a standard CSU General Education curriculum or the 13 CSUMB University Learning Requirements, including STAT 200 or a GE-Certified equivalent (CAN STAT 2).
Students wishing to complete a B. A. degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences must complete a set of required core courses (18 credit hours) plus a concentration or a minor consisting of 12-20 units. The required core courses are as follows:
SBS 300 Major Proseminar: Theory and Method in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (4 credits)
SBS 308 Professional Assessment Lab (2 credits)
One of the following:
SBS 366/366L Research Methods for the Social and Behavioral Sciences-Quantitative Emphasis (5 credits)
SBS 362/362L Research Methods for the Social and Behavioral Sciences-Qualitative Emphasis (5 credits)
And all of the following:
SBS 400 or 400s Senior Capstone Seminar I (2 credits)
SBS 401 Capstone Directed Reading (1 credit)
SBS 402 or 402S Senior Capstone Seminar II (2 credits)
SBS 403 Capstone Directed Reading (1 credit)
SBS 405 Senior Capstone Festival Presentation (1 credit)
In addition, students who have not completed a CSUMB-approved technology and information management course should take:
SBS 318 Computing Skills for the Social Sciences (4 credits)
Service Learning:
All CSUMB students must take an upper-division service learning course. SBS majors may complete this requirement by taking any 300 or 400-level SBS course with an "S" designation.
You officially begin the major by co-enrolling in SBS 300 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 (MLOs) 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
Anthropology Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:
All of the following:
SBS 336; SBS 345; SBS 362; SBS 362L
At least two of the following:
SBS 314; SBS 370; SBS 371; SBS 384S; SBS 388; SBS 480; SBS 485
Archaeology Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:
All of the following:
Core requirements: SBS 324S; SBS 324L; SBS 355; SBS 360S; SBS 360L
At least one of the following:
Case Studies: SBS 320S; SBS 325; SBS 332; SBS 348; SBS 383; SBS 395; SBS 397
May substitute one of the following for case study option:
VPA 320S; SBS 100; SBS 327
Recommended courses: ESSP 436/436L; SBS 475
Geographic Information Systems Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:
Required course:
SBS 371
One of the following:
SBS 252; SBS 356
One of the following:
SBS 327; ESSP 332/332L
Two of the following:
CST 232/232L; CST 305; CST 363; ESSP 436/436L
Political Economy Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:
All of the following:
SBS 351/ SBS 351L; SBS 342; SBS 366/366L
One of the following:
SBS 252; SBS 334; SBS 381; SBS 385; GS 310; GS 311; GS 320; GS 370, GS 390; ESSP 384s
Social History Concentration students must fulfill the learning outcomes for these courses:
Required course:
SBS 350
One of the following:
SBS 315; 381; SBS 385; SBS 386
Three of the following:
SBS 315; SBS 324S; SBS 332; SBS 355; SBS 360S; SBS 360L; SBS 365; SBS 383; SBS 475; ; GS 315; GS 320; GS 360; HCOM 345; HCOM 346; HCOM 350; HCOM 352; HCOM 353; HCOM 354; HCOM 355; HCOM 356; HCOM 358; SPAN 307; SPAN 309 or other 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; SBS 330; SBS 338; SBS 340; SBS 374; SBS 381 ; SBS 384S; SBS 395; SBS 397; GS 320; GS 350; GS 360; CHHS 350
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.