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• DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

  Bachelor of Arts
  Major in History

  Bachelor of Science
  Major in Psychology

  Bachelor of Arts
  Major in Social Sciences

  Bachelor of Science
  Major in Social Sciences

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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Linda Vaden-Goad, PhD, Chair

Room 1009-South, 713-221-8014

Faculty

Professors:		Brigman, Christian, Fairbanks, Hampton, Haney, Minix
Associate Professors:		McCaffrey, Thacker-Kumar, Turner, Vaden-Goad, Waldner,Williams
Assistant Professors:		Alvarez, Beauboeuf, Berry, Finch, Getz, Linklater, Robinson, Santos, Wilson, Ziemer
Lecturers:		Doyle, Foster, Theissen
Academic Areas:		Anthropology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology

Programs of Study

Bachelor of Arts with a major in History
(pending approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Humanities
Bachelor of Science with a major in Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Department of Social Sciences is to enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of society’s origins and development, its institutions and structures, its problems and promises, and the ways in which the social sciences may contribute to solving those problems. We aim to accomplish this mission both by providing courses required of all students by the state of Texas and the university’s general education program, and by producing graduates with degrees in the fields of Social Sciences (BA or BS), Interdisciplinary Studies (BS). Through instruction in its several disciplines the Department also takes seriously its responsibility to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills.

The department’s educational philosophy is holistic in emphasizing the importance of students’ educational and professional growth both inside and outside of the classroom. Our degree programs aim to provide students with job skills relevant to their career aspirations as well as a strong, broad-based background in the liberal arts which is required in the ever-changing environment of our information-based economy.

Among the essential components of the department’s mission are community-based research and public service, and these also constitute integral parts of its educational program. All of the department’s degree programs are designed to develop skills in research and analysis. Students are also strongly encouraged to engage in internships, volunteer service activities, or other degree-related work experiences in which classroom theory can be applied to “real-life” problems.

The study and practice of the social sciences provide the means for students to unify their learning, since the social sciences, in attempting to understand human individuals and institutions, employ both the methodologies of the linguistically-oriented humanistic disciplines and the empirically-based natural sciences. Thus our unique contribution to the intellectual life of the University is to provide the arena in which all viewpoints can meet and exchange.

Honor Societies

Alpha Phi Sigma—National Criminal Justice Honorary
Pi Gamma Mu—International Social Sciences Honorary

Bachelor of Arts
Major in History

James McCaffrey, PhD, Coordinator

Room 1083-South, 713-221-8421

The program in history leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree may prepare a student for graduate school in history as well as other disciplines, including law, political science, economics, and anthropology. Some history students also seek elementary or secondary education certification.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in History requires a minimum of 122 hours. For degree completion, at least 25 percent of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH-Downtown. The last 30 of the total hours in the degree and 18 of the upper-level hours in the major must be successfully completed in residence at UH-Downtown. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 at UH-Downtown is required for graduation, and a minimum average of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-level hours in the major.

Common Core Requirements (42 hours)

See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Preparatory Requirements (29 hours)
These courses are preliminary requirements for the degree and are in addition to the core curriculum:
SOS 3312		Statistics in the Social Sciences
PHIL 3301		Moral Issues, Personal and Professional or equivalent (to fulfill the general education requirement in ethics)
Three hours in literature Three hours in anthropology or sociology. Three hours in the fine arts. Fourteen hours in a foreign language or second-year competency. If fourteen hours are not required due to advanced placement, see statement under Free Electives. 32

Major Requirements (24 hours)
Non-US history:
	HIST 3315			World History to 1500 AD
	HIST 3316			World History since 1500 AD
		Three hours chosen from this list:
		HIST 3301		Europe in Crisis
		HIST 3308		History of Mexico
		HIST 3309		Twentieth Century England
		HIST 3310		Russia in Transition
		HIST 3317		Middle Eastern History
		HIST 4312		History of Modern China
Twelve additional hours of courses in History at the 3000 or 4000 level.
	HIST 4310			Research and Writing Seminar

Free Electives (27 hours)

From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and READ 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor.

If a student is able to bypass foreign language classes because of placement, any hours not transcripted must be made up in elective credits in order to bring the total number of semester credit hours for the degree to no fewer than 120.

Bachelor of Science
Major in Psychology

Charlie Finch, PhD, Coordinator

Room 1007-South, 713-221-8665

The program in psychology leading to a Bachelor of Science degree may prepare a student for graduate school in psychology as well as other disciplines. It serves as preparation for entry-level positions in the field of mental health and other types of employment, including social service agencies and business. The study of psychology also provides a foundation of knowledge for healthy coping with life circumstances and human relationships.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology requires a minimum of 120 hours. For degree completion, at least 25 percent of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH-Downtown. The last 30 of the total hours in the degree and 18 of the upper-level hours in the major must be successfully completed in residence at UH-Downtown. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 at UH-Downtown is required for graduation, and a minimum average of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-level hours in the major.

Common Core Requirements (42 hours)

See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In fulfillment of the Behavioral Sciences requirement, PSY 1303 is recommended. If not taken in the core, PSY 1303 should be added to the following preparatory requirements.

Preparatory Requirements (21-24 hours)
These courses are preliminary requirements for the degree and are in addition to the core curriculum, with the possible exception of one three-hour course in introductory behavioral science that may have been taken as part of the core:
PSY 1303			General Psychology
SOC 1303			Principles of Sociology
ANTH 2301 or			Physical Anthropology
ANTH 2302			Cultural Anthropology
SOS 2304			Research Methods in the Social Sciences
SOS 3312			Statistics in the Social Sciences
Three hours in philosophy to fulfill the general education requirement in ethics, chosen from this list:
	PHIL 1301		Introduction to Philosophy
	PHIL 2301		Classical Philosophy
	PHIL 2302		Modern Philosophy
	PHIL 3301		Moral Issues, Personal and Professional
	PHIL 3302		Philosophy of Science
	PHIL 3305		Contemporary Philosophy
Three hours in mathematics or science. Three hours in literature.

Major Requirements (27 hours)
Twenty-four hours of courses in Psychology at the 3000 or 4000 level. Three hours of internship or special project credit from either
	SOS 4301		Special Projects in the Social Sciences or
	SOS 4380		Field Experience in the Social Sciences

Cognate Requirements (9 hours)
These are upper-level courses in support of the degree. Courses in this category, together with courses chosen as free electives, may be used toward a minor, at the student’s option: Advanced Writing (3 hours), one of the following courses:
	ENG 3302		Business and Technical Report Writing
	ENG 3325		Medical Writing
	ENG 3326		Proposal Writing
	ENG 4306		Science Writing
Social and Behavioral Science Electives (6 hours), two of the following courses:
	Any upper-level course in Psychology Any upper-level course in Sociology
	MGT 3301		Management of Organizations
	MGT 3302		Personnel Administration
	MGT 3303		Negotiating Skills and Techniques
	MKT 3301		Marketing Principles
	SOS 3301		Social Gerontology
	SOS 3304		Death and Dying
	SOS 4302		The Study of the Future

Free Electives (18-21 hours)

From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and READ 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor. No degree program may have fewer than 120 semester credit hours.

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Programs of Study in Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Social Sciences are interdisciplinary degrees meant to prepare the graduate with a general foundation across the social sciences and the experience of deeper inquiry in at least two areas of study in the social sciences. For purposes of these degrees, the social sciences include history, political science, psychology and sociology. Because this is an interdisciplinary degree, no more than 18 hours of upper-level work in a single discipline may be applied to the major, and no more than 27 total hours in a single discipline (excluding course work required to fulfill Common Core Requirements) may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts with major in Social Sciences requires a minimum of 122 hours, including a foreign language requirement. The Bachelor of Science with major in Social Sciences requires a minimum of 123 hours. For degree completion, at least 25 percent of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH–Downtown. For both degrees, the last 30 of the total hours and 18 of the upper-level hours toward the degree must be successfully completed in residence at UH–Downtown. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 at UH–Downtown is required for graduation, and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-level hours in the major.

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Social Sciences

Linda Vaden-Goad, PhD, Coordinator

Room 1009-South, 713-221-8014

Common Core Requirements (42 hours)

See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In fulfillment of the Behavioral Sciences requirement, PSY 1303 General Psychology is recommended. If not taken in the core, PSY 1303 should be added to the following additional basic requirements.

Additional Basic Requirements (29-32 hours)
SOS 2304		Research in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
SOS 3312		Statistics in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
ANTH 2301		Physical Anthropology (3 hours) or
ANTH 2302		Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
SOC 1303		Principles of Sociology (3 hours)
PSY 1303		General Psychology (3 hours) (may be omitted here if taken as part of core curriculum)
Literature		(3 hours)
Completion through sophomore year of a foreign language (14 hours). For students placing out of any foreign language courses, other courses in English, humanities or social sciences may be substituted.

Upper-Level Requirements (36 hours)
Twenty-one hours upper-level courses in social sciences from the following disciplines
	History Political Science Psychology Sociology
At least nine hours must be taken in each of two separate disciplines. No more than 18 upper-level hours in a single discipline may be applied to the major. Courses in other social science disciplines or interdisciplinary courses may be applied to this requirement. Consult a college advisor. Six hours upper-level courses in social sciences or related disciplines
	PHIL 3301		Moral Issues or another course to fulfill the ethics requirement (3 hours)
	ENG 3302		Business and technical Report Writing or another upper-division writing course (3 hours)
	SOS 4301		Special Projects in Social Sciences (3 hours)

Electives (15 hours)

From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and RDG 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor.

Bachelor of Science
Major in Social Sciences

Linda Vaden-Goad, PhD, Coordinator

Room 1009-South, 713-221-8014

Common Core Requirements (42 hours)

See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In fulfillment of the Behavioral Sciences requirement, PSY 1303 General Psychology is recommended. If not taken in the core, PSY 1303 should be added to the following additional basic requirements.

Additional Basic Requirements (18 hours)
SOS 2304		Research in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
SOS 3312		Statistics in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
ANTH 2301		Physical Anthropology (3 hours) or
ANTH 2302		Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
SOC 1303		Principles of Sociology (3 hours)
Literature		(3 hours)
Mathematics or Natural Sciences (3 hours)

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Upper-Level Requirements (36 hours)
Twenty-one upper-level courses in social sciences from the following disciplines:
	History Political Science Psychology Sociology
At least nine hours must be taken in each of two separate disciplines. No more than 18 upper-level hours in a single discipline may be applied to the major. Courses in other social science disciplines or interdisciplinary courses may be applied to this requirement. Consult a college advisor. Six hours upper-level courses in social sciences or related disciplines
	PHIL 3301		Moral Issues or another course to fulfill the ethics requirement (3 hours)
	ENG 3302		Business and technical Report Writing or another upper-division writing course (3 hours)
	SOS 4301		Special Projects in Social Sciences (3 hours)

Electives (27 hours)

From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and RDG 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor.

History and Philosophy

Students interested in history or philosophy may, also, wish to consider the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Humanities, described in the catalog pages for the Department of Arts and Humanities.

Minor Program Requirements

Minor in History (18 hours minimum)

Six hours of U.S. History courses from the common core Twelve additional hours of 3000/4000-level History courses

Minor in Philosophy (15 hours minimum)
Six hours of 1000/2000-level Philosophy courses Nine hours from among the following courses:
	PHIL		any 3000/4000-level course
	POLS 3308		Introduction to Political Thinking
	HUM 3301		Foundations of Western Culture I
	HUM 3302		Foundations of Western Culture II
	SOS 3302		Development of Political Ideas I
	SOS 3303		Development of Political Ideas II
At least six of the 15 hours must be taken at UH–Downtown.

Minor in Political Science (18 hours minimum)
POLS 2303		United States Government I
POLS 2304		United States Government II
Twelve additional hours of 3000/4000-level Political Sciences courses

Minor in Psychology (18 hours minimum)
PSY 1303			General Psychology
15 additional hours, including nine hours of 3000/4000-level courses, from among the following:
	PSY		any course
	SOS 2308		Human Sexuality
	SOS 3301		Social Gerontology
	SOS 3304		Death and Dying
	SOS 3320		Assessment and Evaluation of Adolescents and Children

Minor in Sociology (18 hours minimum)
SOC 1303			Principles of Sociology
15 additional hours, including nine hours of 3000/4000-level courses, from among the following:
	SOC		any course
	SOS 2308		Human Sexuality
	SOS 3301		Social Gerontology

Pre-Law Studies

William E. Brigman, PhD, Advisor

Room 1027-South, 221-8424

Students interested in pre-law studies, regardless of their major, may contact the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Coordinator of Academic Advising. They will be referred to the pre-law advisor to obtain the Pre-law Handbook. Catalogs of many law schools also are available for review through the pre-law advisor.