Related courses are offered in anthropology, geography, and social science. Within each of these programs, there are specializations designed to complement students' interests and career plans, such as public administration, urban studies, political economy, law and society, criminal justice, and comparative studies. The faculty has designed a number of Interdisciplinary Studies courses, each of which is applicable to several Social Science majors. All degrees require 36 credit hours of major and related courses, three credit hours of interdisciplinary studies courses, and 21 credit hours of electives. Majors in the social sciences are assigned a faculty advisor in their field to answer questions and assist students in preparing their degree plans.
Economists study the use of scarce resources to satisfy competing desires.
They analyze how and why an economy produces what it does, and the distribution of wealth. Economic analysis deals with how wages and prices are determined, why some cities boom while others decline, and the effects of tax, regulatory, and fiscal policies, helping us understand more clearly the choices available to us and the consequences of our decisions. An Economics and Finance degree prepares students for graduate study and careers in business, government, policy research, and management. A degree in Government and Politics provides the skills and knowledge useful for later professional training in law or graduate school, and careers in government, international relations, nonprofit agencies, and the private sector. Sociology involves the study of culture and social structure in relation to the demographic, political, technological, and economic forces shaping modern society.