Definition

Understanding human behavior, including its sources and effects, is an important element of a liberal arts education. Through exposure to the social and behavioral sciences, students will develop an increased understanding of the influences that shape a person’s or group’s attitudes, beliefs, emotions, symbols, and actions, and how these systems of influence are created, maintained, and altered by personal, familial, group, situational, or institutional means.

Requirement

All students must successfully complete 9 credits in the Social and Behavioral Sciences in at least two disciplines, including African American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Courses from other disciplines may also count in this learning area if they are cross-listed with a Social and Behavioral Sciences course (such as World Perspectives and Women’s Studies.)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the SBS requirement will be able to …

1. Explain social, organizational, psychological, political, economic, historical, geographic, and cultural elements that influence and are influenced by individuals, groups, or institutions.
2. Describe theories and concepts, or research methods, rooted in the required disciplines used to investigate social or behavioral phenomena.
3. Identify and describe ethical issues pertaining to social contexts and phenomena. Examples include but are not limited to: 
   • how economic policies affect social classes or marginalized groups;
   • consumer behavior and governmental control over regulation;
   • what counts as ethical or unethical research methods conducted with human subjects;
   • codes of ethics used by specific disciplines in social & behavioral sciences; and
   • issues pertaining to systemic inequality, structural oppression, and intersectional justice.