Social Science

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

SSC 101 : Introduction to Geography

This course is an introductory, one-semester study of the physical, cultural, and regional patterns of the Earth’s surface. The course stresses fundamental geographic concepts within a study of the relationship between the physical environment and human actions over time. Prerequisite: A passing score on the College's writing and reading placement tests or, C or better or concurrent enrollment in ENG 091 or ENG 092. Three lecture hours per week. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Critical Thinking, Global and Historic Awareness and Multicultural and Social Perspectives.

Credits

3
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 1. Describe the physical and cultural features of the earth’s surface, their origins, and how they are interconnected. 2. Explain the dynamic physical forces of the earth’s surface such as climate, plate tectonics, erosion, and deposition. 3. Identify the major physical and cultural regions that the earth’s surface has evolved into. 4. Evaluate the evolution and geographic distribution of such social phenomena as human population, economic activity, culture, language, and religion. 5. Assess the reasons why the economic development and wealth of the world is so unevenly geographically distributed.

SSC 217 : Technology and Society

This course examines the economic, political, social, and environmental impacts of technological development on the modern world. Topics include the role of technology in job loss and creation, the role of fossil fuels in the advance of civilization, energy dependence, technological transfer between nations, the inventive process, the control of technology, biotechnology, and the development of weapons of mass destruction. Students develop the ability to think, read, and write critically and analytically and to understand how technological change is connected to human behavior and how power is wielded within society. Prerequisite: A passing score on the College's writing and reading placement tests or, C or better or concurrent enrollment in ENG 091 or ENG 092. Three lecture hours per week. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Ethical Dimensions and Global and Historic Awareness.

Credits

3
  1. Define what technology is and explain the numerous ways in which it fosters economic, political and cultural exchange in society.
  2. Recognize that the development of technology is subject to the interplay of social, economic, and political forces in society.
  3. Explain how technological advance has historically been a leading cause of environmental harm worldwide.
4. Examine critically the potential of selected technologies to promote a more humane and equitable world.

SSC 260 : Topics in Social Science

A one-semester course on a specific topic in Social Science. Topics to be announced each semester. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits

3
Student Learning Objectives will be developed by the instructor based on the topic/content of the course.