The Social Science Major at Black Hills State University develops a broad-based perspective in the four major areas of Social Science: Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Geography. The curriculum offers students the opportunity to become familiar with the pertinent theories currently prevalent in each of these areas. The curriculum also provides opportunities for students to become familiar with the concepts guiding research, collection of data, and associated interpretations of materials in the Social Sciences.

Required Core - 36 semester hours

• ECON - Elective - 3 semester hours
• ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (gen ed)
• ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics
• GEOG 101 - Introduction to Geography (gen ed)
• POLS 100 - American Government (gen ed)
• POLS 210 - State & Local Government
• POLS 250 - World Politics
• SOC - Elective - 3 semester hours
• SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 150 - Social Problems
• SS 350 - Introduction to Research Methods
• Elective in ECON, GEOG, POLS, or SOC - 3 semester hours

Gen Ed Requirements - 34 semester hours

• MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics - 3 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Social Science - 0 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities - 12 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab - 8 semester hours
• ENGL 101 - Composition I
• ENGL 201 - Composition II
• SPCM 101, 215, or 222 - Speech
• WEL 100 - Wellness for Life & WEL 100L Lab

Note:
A minor is required with this major plus electives to total 128 hours, of which 36 hours must be 300-400 level courses.

Required Core - 55 semester hours

• GEOG - 300/400 level Elective - 3 semester hours
• HIST - 300/400 level U.S. History Elective - 3 semester hours
• ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (gen ed)
• ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics
• GEOG 101 - Introduction to Geography
  or
  GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography
• HIST 121 - Western Civilization I (gen ed)
• HIST 151 - United States History I (gen ed)
• HIST 152 - United States History II
• HIST 327 - European History 1500 / 1815
• HIST 328 - European History since 1815
• HIST 476 - History of South Dakota
• HIST 480 - Historical Methods & Historiography
  or
  SS 350 - Introduction to Research Methods
• POLS 100 - American Government
• POLS 250 - World Politics
• PSYC 302/L - Principles of Learning and Memory and Lab: 4 semester hours
• SEED 415 - 7-12 Social Science Methods
• SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 150 - Social Problems

Pre-Professional Teaching Core - 21 semester hours

• EDFN 295 - Practicum: Pre-Admission
• EDFN 338 - Foundations of American Education
• EDFN 475 - Human Relations
• EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology
• EPSY 327 - Child Growth & Development
• INED 411 - South Dakota Indian Studies
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology (gen ed)
• SPED 405 - Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities

Professional K-12 Teaching Core - 24 semester hours

• EDFN 365 - Computer-Based Technology & Learning
• MLED 480 - Middle Level Methods
• SEED 408 - Planning, Managing & Assessing the 7-12 Diverse Classroom
• SEED 450 - 7-12 Reading and Content Literacy
• SEED 488 - 7-12 Student Teaching
• SEED 495 - Practicum

Gen Ed Requirements - 31 semester hours

• MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics - 3 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Social Science - 0 semester hours satisfied by major
• Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities - 9 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab - 8 semester hours
• ENGL 101 - Composition I
• ENGL 201 - Composition II
• SPCM 101, 215, 222 - Speech
• WEL 100 - Wellness for Life & 100L Lab

Note
A minor is NOT required with this major but electives are required to total 128 hours. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor, but to be certified to teach, a content praxis exam must be passed in both the major & minor areas of study.