Social Science is an interdisciplinary contract major offered through the School of Social Sciences and Social Work. It is designed to enable students with specialized and/or interdisciplinary interests in the Social Sciences to develop, in collaboration with a faculty advisor, a coherent program of courses in areas of inquiry for which regular majors are not offered, allowing students to explore specialized or emerging fields. Since students design their own major in collaboration with a faculty advisor, interested students are encouraged to contact the convener early in their college careers.

The Social Science contract major offers five possible concentrations to Ramapo College students; electing a concentration with the Social Science contract major is encouraged but not required:

Community Mental Health: Community Mental Health constitutes a socially necessary set of institutions that provide services to millions of people on an annual basis and engages the participation of multiple professionals. The concentration in Community Mental Health prepares students to understand the components needed to provide services at the community level and to develop skills for effective delivery. This concentration is a good fit for students interested in public health, public administration, social work, law, and public policy.

Education Studies: The Education Studies concentration will allow students to explore the history of educational institutions and the social and cultural forces shaping educational thoughts and practices. Students who complete this concentration will also participate in ﬁeldwork that will allow them to observe current educational practice and work with professional educators to hone their craft. Students who complete this major could find employment in many settings outside of schools that have educational functions.

Ethnicity and Race Studies: The Ethnicity and Race Studies concentration focuses on historical and sociocultural scholarship related to race and ethnicity including, but not limited to: contemporary race relations, inter-group dynamics, the African Diaspora, intersections with gender and class, and inequalities, privilege, and oppression. This concentration is a logical component of a student’s preparation for a career with international agencies, law, business, and public health, the social services, and teaching.

Gender and Sexuality Studies: The Gender and Sexuality Studies concentration focuses on interdisciplinary scholarship about women, gender, and sexuality across cultures and their intersections with race, class, nationality, ability, age, among others. Students will also become acquainted with the current realities and history of feminism, gender, and sexualities in the US and worldwide. Through courses in Gender and Sexuality Studies, students gain a clearer sense of how to be engaged, ethical participants in the social world. The concentration is a logical component of a student’s preparation for a career in law, business, public health, the social services, and teaching.

Labor, Work, and Organizations: The concentration in Labor, Work, and Organizations focuses on the historical and socio-economic aspects of the labor process, work organizations and the relationship between work and other aspects of life including, but not limited to: the state, the legal apparatus, and the family. In addition, students enrolled in the concentration will understand the role of human resources, education and training in the work environment.

Society and Culture: Visit the Degree Completion Program page for more information.

It is recommended that students consider combining their major with an appropriate minor (e.g., the program, program, program, program, program, program, program, program, and the program).

Social Science BA

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Requirements

Description and Outcomes

Details and Faculty

Sample Graduation Plan