Social Science

Overview

The University of Montevallo is pleased to offer a major in Social Science, consisting of courses in Sociology, Political Science, History, and Geography. Montevallo’s Social Science Program is cross-disciplinary and offers a broad exposure to a liberal arts education. Students develop judicious thinking through the study of society, politics, history, and geography.

Why Social Science at UM?

Multi-disciplinary: Students take courses in geography, history, political science, sociology, and economics.
Junior and senior level courses are taught with limited class sizes, promoting class discussion and individual attention.
Emphasis is on developing written and oral communication, research, and critical thinking skills.
Courses prepare students to be informed citizen leaders.
Career opportunities in education, law, and academia abound.

Degree/Course Requirements

Social Science Major Requirements (51 hours)

Major Course Requirements (51 hours)

HIST 211 (History of the United States I) (3)

HIST 212 (History of the United States II) (3)

Non-U.S. History elective (3)

POS 200 (American National Government) (3)

POS 455 (International Relations) (3)

POS elective (3)

SOC 101 (Introductory Sociology) (3)

SOC elective (3)

GEOG 231 (World Regional Geography) (3)

EC 231 (Introduction to Macroeconomics) (3)

Select ONE of the following methods courses:

HIST 310 (Introduction to Historical Study) (3)

POS 370 (Research Methods in Social Sciences) (3)

SWK 355 (Research in Social Welfare) (3)

Select ONE of the following capstone courses:

HIST 492 (History Capstone) (3)

POS 499 (Political Science Senior Seminar) (3)

SOC 499 (Sociology Capstone) (3)

Choose 12 hours at the 300/400 level from one of the following areas: History, Political Science, or Sociology.

General Education Core (54-59 hours)

First-Year Seminar….……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 hours
- Choose: UM 101, ED 101, GB 101, or HNRS 101
Written Composition……………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 hours
- Choose: ENG 101 or 103 (Composition I)
- Choose: ENG 102 or 104 (Composition II)
Humanities & Fine Arts…………………………………………………………………….………….……… 18 hours
- Choose one Literature: ENG 231 or 233 (Global Literature I) * or ENG 232 or 234 (Global Literature II) Students must take at least one six-hour sequence in Literature or History. Students may take both sequences.
- Choose Communications: COMS 101 or 102 (Foundations in Oral Communication)
- Choose one Fine Art: ART 100, 120, 218, 219, 220; MC 100, 325; MUS 121 or 122, 125, 211, 240, 255, 342; THEA 120 or 122, 123
- Choose one Humanity: AAS 200, FRN 101, 102 or 150, 201, 202 or 250; GER 101, 102, 201, 202; PHIL 110 or 111, 180,
- 220 or 221, 230, 280, 290; REL 110; SPN 101 or 103, 102 or 104 or 150, 201, 202 or 250
- Choose two additional Literature, Humanity or Fine Arts courses not used above: AAS 200, ART 100, 120, 218, 219, 220;
- ENG 231 or 233, 232 or 234; FRN 101, 102 or 150, 201, 202 or 250; GER 101, 102, 201, 202; MC 100, 325; MUS 121/122,
- 125, 211, 240, 255, 342; PHIL 110 or 111, 180, 220, 221, 230, 280, 290; REL 110; SPN 101 or 103, 102 or 104 or 150, 201,
- 202 or 250; THEA 120 or 122, 123
Natural Sciences & Mathematics…………………………………………………………………………. 11 hours
- Choose two lab sciences. Must be from two different disciplines: BIO 100, 105 or 107, 106; CHEM 100, 101, 102, 121, 122; ESCI 100; GEOL 110, 115 PHYS 100, 201, 241
- Choose one Mathematics: MATH 144, 147, 149, 150, 154 or 155, 157, 170
History, Social & Behavioral Sciences………………………………………….…..……………….…. 12 hours
- Choose HIST 101 or 103 (World Civilization I) *
- Choose HIST 102 or 104 (World Civilization II)
- Choose: POS 200
- Choose: SOC 101
Personal Development ……………………………………………………..……….………………..…..….. 3 hours
- Choose one of the following: ART 250, 255; CS 161; ED 427, 447; ES 200; EXNS 120; FCS 281; MATH 261; MIS 161; MUS 228
Additional Requirements for Degree (7-12 hours)
Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree…..……….………………..…..….12 hours

Complete the second-year sequence of a world language (201 and 202 or 250): ASL, FRN, GER, SPN. OR complete the first-year sequence of two different world languages.

Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Science…………………7 hours

Choose an additional 7 hours in mathematics and/or science not used towards requirement #3 above.

General Electives (10-15 hours)

Social Science majors must take 10-15 credit hours in general electives comprised of courses of their choosing.

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Student Advising

Career Opportunities

Career-Ready Graduates

Students majoring in Social Science have a wide variety of exciting career options from which to choose. Social Science is an excellent pre-professional degree with many graduates choosing to continue their education at law or graduate school. The program also offers excellent preparation for graduate school in any of the core disciplines (Sociology, History, Political Science, and Geography). Social Science majors often continue their studies in UM’s Teacher Education Program in the College of Education as preparation for teacher certification. (Contact the Teacher Education Program for additional information.)

Scholarships & Aid

Student Aid

The University of Montevallo Student Aid Office is here to assist UM students and families with the financial aid process. We invite you to review the information provided on our webpages and contact us with questions and for assistance.

More About Student Aid

Scholarships

All entering freshmen and transfer students admitted to UM by the scholarship priority deadline will be included in the scholarship evaluation for merit-based scholarships. In addition to merit-based awards, scholarships are also available based on financial need, leadership, community service, choice of major, and other miscellaneous criteria.

BSS Departmental Scholarships