General Social Science

http://gss.uoregon.edu

Jamie Bufalino, Program Director
275 McKenzie Hall
541-346-4802
info@uoregon.College

General Social Sciences is a multidisciplinary, undergraduate program that prepares students for success in an interconnected global environment. GSS majors learn how analyze social issues using research and critical thinking. They also develop innovative problem-solving skills, which are applicable towards professional fields like business, government, law, and education. The GSS curriculum provides flexibility in both class schedules and coursework. This allows students to tailor their educations according to their interests, and to balance multiple academic or personal pursuits in their lives.

GSS majors take courses on specific social topics from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Students can also earn course credit for internships in their desired fields. The curriculum is divided into 4 distinct concentrations:

• Applied Economics, Business and Society (AEBS)
• Crime, Law and Society (CLS)
• Globalization, Environment, and Policy (GEP)
• Social Science Teaching (SST)

Each concentration serves as a central focus for required and elective courses within the major. After declaring a concentration, students select courses from a wide range of social sciences departments as well as the university’s professional schools (Business, Education, Journalism, and Planning and Public Policy Management).

• BA and BS in General Social Science

• Minor in Commerce and Society

• Minor in Criminology

Undergraduate Studies

The program has four concentrations or tracks. Each concentration has its own set of core courses and then provides a number of elective courses from various departments. Major requirements for each of the four concentrations may be found on the program website.

Applied Economics, Business, and Society

This track combines technical training in business with the analytical training of the liberal arts. It draws heavily from courses in the business college and the economics department to offer specific business skills while exploring how business functions in society, on the national level, and in the global context. This concentration is designed specifically for students who plan to work in business or to pursue a master of business administration degree.

Crime, Law, and Society

This track provides broad exposure to problems that confront society on the causes and consequences of, and policies on, crime, offering preparation for students with an interest in criminology, law practice, law enforcement, or social services.

Globalization, Environment, and Policy

This track focuses on broad social-political and environmental issues at the regional, national, and global levels, as well as the policy planning required to meet these issues within an interdisciplinary context. The globalization concentration provides training for students planning to work in green industry, government, NGOs, and environmental organizations. In addition, the track prepares students to earn graduate degrees in planning, public management, policy studies, or other applied social sciences with a global emphasis.

Social Studies Teaching

This track prepares students with the course requirements for admission to the graduate teacher licensure program at the University of Oregon—UO Teach. This concentration does not, in and of itself, lead to a teaching license; rather, it provides a well-defined content so that students are prepared to enroll in a graduate program to become licensed to teach social studies at the middle or high school level.

General social science majors are encouraged to consult with their advisors at least once a year to ensure their remaining course work is structured to meet all the requirements for the major. Students should notify the General Social Science Program office of their intention to graduate at least one term before the proposed graduation date.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in General Social Science

Bachelor of Science in General Social Science