Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Core Requirements

The interdisciplinary social sciences program consists of 28 credit hours in social sciences. 30 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Humanities and Social Sciences

• HSS120 Introducing the Liberal Arts (1 credit)
• HSS480 Major Research Seminar

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
HSS480 Major Research Seminar

Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Core Electives

Students must complete eight courses total from the following subject areas:*

• Political Science (POL) 3-credit courses
• and/or Anthropology (ANTH) 3-credit courses
• and/or Sociology (SOC) 3-credit courses

*Students should work with their academic advisors to find the courses that best fit their interests.

Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Electives

Pre-Professional External Field Electives

Students must complete five courses in a pre-professional external field, such as business, communications and media, pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-physical therapy, pre-veterinary, etc. This pre-professional concentration provides students with opportunities to increase career choices while exploring a wide variety of interests through their major.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 30 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

As an interdisciplinary social sciences major, you have the option to add a concentration in gender and sexuality studies.

To complete this concentration, all students must:

1. Satisfy the requirements for the BS in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences degree program (10 courses in the major — one introduction to Liberal Arts, one Major Research Seminar and eight content courses).
2. Take 15 credit hours (five courses) in gender and sexuality studies, structured as follows:
   1. Students must take SS220, Introduction to Gender, or SS221, Introduction to Sexuality, as well as four courses from an approved list of gender and sexuality studies courses maintained by the Humanities and Social Sciences department.
   2. Three of the five gender and sexuality studies courses may be used to substitute three of the major's required content courses. The other two gender and sexuality studies courses may be used to satisfy undesignated electives.

Students who complete the gender and sexuality studies concentration will have this noted on their transcripts. Learn more about the gender and sexuality studies minor.

Apply the skills you acquire in interdisciplinary social sciences to a multitude of co-ops and internships. In the past, Clarkson students have found opportunities at organizations like:

• Canton Central Schools
• Clarkson University Library
• Congressional Campaigns for NY Congressional District 21 for Elise Stefanik
• North Country Children's Museum
• Potsdam Public Museum
• St. Lawrence County Government
• St. Lawrence County Historical Association
• Village of Potsdam Police Department

Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Faculty mentors value the skills interdisciplinary social sciences majors bring to their research projects, given the cross-disciplinary nature of most studies. At Clarkson, participate in research related to the environment, health, gender and sexuality and business. Learn more about research at Clarkson.

With more than 200 clubs and organizations to choose from, find chances to dive deeper into your academic interests — or pursue something far from them. Build leadership skills in ROTC, participate in a community service group or try a club sport. Explore Clarkson's clubs and organizations.

The interdisciplinary social sciences major devotes 28 out of 120 credit hours to program-specific classes. This gives you the flexibility to add a minor, concentration or second major, if you choose to do so. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences oversees several that complement your degree.

Some of our most popular ones include:

Literature and the Arts

Explore the human condition through works of literature, film and drama across diverse cultures and perspectives. As a literature and the arts minor, discover how words and storytelling shape our understanding of the world.

Learn about the literature and the arts minor.

War Studies

What causes war? How has it affected societies throughout history — and how can we use those lessons to shape policies and decisions now? The war studies minor gives you the kind of research, analytical and communication skills valued by government, media organizations, NGOs and other employers.

Learn about the war studies minor.

Understand the many different ways societies and cultures are organized by studying abroad and seeing these structures firsthand. Spend a semester overseas to broaden your perspective and get exposure to even more knowledge traditions.

Learn more about Clarkson's study-abroad opportunities.