The area of social and behavioral sciences introduces you to theories, methods, and empirical research findings focusing on human behavior and its relation to social, cultural, economic, and political groups and institutions. Through taking courses in this area, you will examine the evidence for generally applicable statements about social behavior, action, policies, and institutions.
It is vital to understand the social and institutional environment in which you live. What are the relationships between money supply, interest rates, and government spending on the one hand and unemployment, inflation, and balance-of-payment deficits on the other? What are the impacts of race, class, and gender on the social system? What factors influence human behavior and development? In confronting questions such as these, you learn how social and behavioral scientists form hypotheses, construct models, and test their validity and about the outcomes of their investigations. You will then be able to make more reasoned judgments about complex problems of modern society.
Each social science department offers one or more introductory survey courses, most of which can be followed by other approved courses that introduce major sub-fields or that provide an in-depth look at more specific areas of study.
