Social Sciences (BA)
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Program Description
Central to an NYU School of Professional Studies Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS) education is a strong foundation in the liberal arts. An academic requirement that all DAUS students must fulfill, the 32 to 34 credits of liberal arts core courses provide critical information and develop a broad range of competencies that afford the basis for more specialized and professionally oriented study. The curriculum is enriched by NYU’s access to the exceptional cultural, economic, political, creative, technical, and business resources of New York City.
The Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences allows students to engage in, learn from, and lead dynamic intellectual explorations and shared experiences. You will learn to communicate complex ideas effectively through core courses that will help you to develop precise and persuasive writing skills. The core curriculum provides broad conceptual understanding and critical insights—in science, history, culture, and the arts—that strengthen creative and analytical thinking and reasoning abilities. The knowledge and the skills that you will acquire will provide the context and the methodological approaches essential to understanding and to solving the real-world challenges that you will face in almost all professional arenas.
Concentrations
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences offers concentrations in:
- Anthropology
- Economics (online or on-site)
- History
- International Studies
- Media Studies
- Organizational Behavior and Change (online or on-site)
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sustainability
- Urbanism
Each concentration provides a comprehensive exploration of subject matter that is deeply relevant to work and life.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
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Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 128 credits, comprised of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | ||
| The following courses may be required based on a writing placement assessment, and should be successfully completed within the first three semesters | 8-10 | |
| Introduction to Creative and Expository Writing | ||
| Writing Workshop I | ||
| Writing Workshop II | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Students are required to take the following course. | ||
| HUMN1-UC 6401 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Students, in close consultation with their adviser, select Math 1 and Math II or one of the following other courses based on a math placement assessment: | 4 | |
| Math I and Math II | ||
| Mathematical Reasoning | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Calculus W/Applications to Business & Economics | ||
| Scientific Issues | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Biology | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Historical Perspectives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Renaissance to Revolutn | ||
| The American Experience | ||
| Classical & Medieval World | ||
| Contemporary World | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| World Cultures: Africa | ||
| World Cultures: Middle East | ||
| World Cultures: Asia | ||
| World Cultures: Latin America & The Caribbean | ||
| Literary and Artistic Expressions | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| History of Music | ||
| Visual Expressions in Society | ||
| Contemporary Global Literature | ||
| Foundation Courses: Social Sciences | ||
| Prior to beginning a concentration, students must complete a series of foundation courses within their major. A student’s chosen concentration determines which particular combination of the following required courses and elected humanities and social sciences courses will make up the foundation curriculum of their social sciences major. Students select four of the following courses: | 16 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Business Organization & Management | ||
| The Global Economy | ||
| History of Economic Thought | ||
| Introduction to International Studies | ||
| Understanding Media | ||
| The Language of Contemporary Images | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Political Thought | ||
| American Politics | ||
| Intro to Psychology | ||
| Intro to Sociology | ||
| Oral Communications | ||
| Foundation Courses: Humanities | ||
| Prior to beginning a concentration, students must complete a series of foundation courses within their major. A student’s chosen concentration determines which particular combination of the following required courses and elected humanities and social sciences courses will make up the foundation curriculum of their social sciences major. Students select one of the following courses: | 4 | |
| History of Art I: Earliest to Middle Ages | ||
| History of Art II: Renaissance to Modern | ||
| Foundations of The Creative Process | ||
| Foundations of Philosophical Thought | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| The Language of Contemporary Images | ||
| Methods and Theory | ||
| A student’s chosen concentration determines which particular combination of the following courses will make up the methods and theory curriculum of their social sciences major. Select two of the following courses: | 8 | |
| Intermed Microeconomics | ||
| Intermed Macroeconomics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Theory of Media & Cultural Studies | ||
| Current Issues in Organizational Behavior | ||
| Social Sciences Research Methods | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Select 20 credits of upper division social science courses in consultation with advisors: | 20 | |
| Sp Tpcs in Anthropology | ||
| Sp Tpcs in Economics: | ||
| Sp Topics in History | ||
INST1-UC 7961 | ||
| Sp Tpcs in Media Stud: | ||
ORBC1-UC 2290 | ||
| Sp Tpcs in Politics | ||
| Special Topics in Psych: | ||
| Sp Tpcs in Sociology | ||
| Special Topics in Sustainability | ||
| Special Topics in Urbanism | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Students select 26-28 credits from DAUS course offerings in consultation with their advisor. Students who take 10 credits of writing courses select 26 elective credits; those with 8 credits of writing courses select 28 elective credits. | 26-28 | |
| Graduation Project | ||
| A student’s chosen concentration determines which particular course will fulfill the graduation project requirement of their social science major. Select one of the following courses in consultation with advisor: | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts Senior Project: Internship | ||
| Senior Project Seminar: Social Sciences | ||
| Concentrations (Optional) | ||
| Students may select 16 credits in one of the following 11 concentrations within their major in consultation with their advisors. Students who do not select a concentration must complete 16 credits in two or more of these concentrations: | 16 | |
Anthropology | ||
Economics | ||
History | ||
International Studies | ||
Media Studies | ||
Organizational Behavior and Change | ||
Politics | ||
Psychology | ||
Sociology | ||
Sustainability | ||
Urbanism | ||
| Total Credits | 128 | |
Concentrations
Anthropology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH1-UC 5047 | Anthropology of Religion | 4 |
| ANTH1-UC 5061 | Sex, Gender & Language | 4 |
| ANTH1-UC 6669 | Transnationalism, Immigration & Identity | 4 |
| ANTH1-UC 6672 | Globalization & World Culture | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Economics
Online and On-site Study Options
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following categories: | 16 | |
| International Economics | ||
| American Economic History | ||
| Comparative Economics | ||
| Business and Economics | ||
| Finance & Investments | ||
| Intro to Econometrics (Economics Concentration Category: Issues in Sustainiability) | ||
| Issues in Sustainability | ||
| Economics & Gender | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Urban Economics (Historical Perspectives) | ||
| Institutions and Policy | ||
| Law & Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from any of the following categories: | 16 | |
| Pre-Modern World | ||
| Knights & Chivalry | ||
| The Middle Ages in Film | ||
| Modern World | ||
| Transnationalism, Immigration & Identity | ||
| US History | ||
| History of the City of New York | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
International Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from any of the following categories: | 16 | |
| International Relations | ||
| International Law | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| International Human Rights | ||
| Politics & Economics | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Comparative Economics | ||
| Interrogating Political Globalization | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Anthropology/Sociology | ||
| Globalization & World Culture | ||
| Transnationalism, Immigration & Identity | ||
| Culture, Tourism & Development | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Media Studies
Students must take a minimum of twelve (12) credits from the Media Theory category. The remaining credits can be selected from the Media Practice Category, or an additional 4-credit course from the Media Theory category.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Media Theory | ||
| Select a minimum of three (3) courses from the following: | 12-16 | |
| Global Perspectives in Media | ||
| Cultural Identities in The Media | ||
| Children's Culture and Media | ||
| Hip Hop Culture | ||
| Social Media | ||
| World Cinema | ||
| Documentary Cinema | ||
| Reality TV | ||
| Digital Storytelling | ||
| Video Games and Culture | ||
| Media Practices | ||
| Students may select one course from the following list of courses, or take an additional course from the list above | 0-4 | |
| Motion Design I: Time and Space | ||
| Interactive Design I: Building A Website | ||
| Digital Filmmaking I | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Fundamentals of Advertising, Media, and Public Relations | ||
| Integrated Marketing Campaigns | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Organizational Behavior and Change
Online and On-site Study Options
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Behavior and Change Concentration Category: Communication and Workplace Dynamics | ||
| Select up to two courses from the following, by advisement: | 8 | |
| Managing Diversity in the Global Workplace | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Gender Issues in Organizations | ||
| Organizational Behavior and Change Concentration Category: Leadership and Organizational Strategy | ||
| Select up to two courses from the following, by advisement: | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| Leadership Strategies for The Global Workplace | ||
| Leadership: Theory & Practice | ||
| Organizational Behavior and Change Concentration Category: Managing Organizations and Change | ||
| Select up to two courses from the following, by advisement: | 8 | |
| Organizational Change (Students select up to two courses in consultation with their advisor from the following:) | ||
| Talent Management and Performance Effectiveness | ||
| Corporate Culture & Organizational Learning | ||
| Mindfulness, Spirituality and Meaning in the Workplace | ||
| Career Management and Transitions | ||
| Green Design and the Future of Organizations | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Politics
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following categories, by advisement: | 16 | |
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Public Opinion and Political Behavior | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Current Political Issues: | ||
| International Relations | ||
| International Law | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| International Human Rights | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Psychology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following categories, by advisement: | 16 | |
| Biological Foundations and Cognitive Processes | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Perception | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Social, Personality, Clinical, and Developmental Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Clinical Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Personality | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Applied and Advanced Topics in Psychology | ||
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Emotion | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Sociology
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following categories: | 16 | |
| Society and the Individual | ||
| Sexuality & Society | ||
| Inequality in Society: Race, Class, and Gender | ||
| Social Deviance and Crime | ||
| Social Structures & Processes | ||
| Transnationalism, Immigration & Identity | ||
| Globalization & World Culture | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Sustainability
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following: | 16 | |
| Sustainable Management Principles | ||
| Sustainable Development in Emerging Economies | ||
| Engaged and Sustainable Media | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Green Design and the Future of Organizations | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility | ||
| NYC: The Future Metropolis | ||
| Affordable and Sustainable Housing | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Urbanism
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) courses from the following: | 16 | |
| New York City Architecture | ||
ARTH1-UC 5423 | ||
| Urban Economics | ||
| International Health Issues | ||
| Affordable and Sustainable Housing | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| 1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EXWR1-UC 7502 | Writing Workshop I | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 4 | |
| Historical Perspectives | 4 | |
| SOCY1-UC 7200 | Intro to Sociology | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 2nd Semester/Term | ||
| EXWR1-UC 7503 | Writing Workshop II | 4 |
| Scientific Issues | 4 | |
| Literary & Artistic Expressions | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 3rd Semester/Term | ||
| HUMN1-UC 6401 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| Foundation: Social Sciences | 4 | |
| Foundation: Humanities | 4 | |
| Sociology Concentration Course: Social Structures & Processes | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 4th Semester/Term | ||
| SOCY1-UC 7201 |
Contemporary Social Theory or History of Social Thought |
4 |
| Foundation: Social Sciences | 4 | |
| Foundation: Social Sciences | 4 | |
| Sociology Concentration Course: Society & the Individual | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 5th Semester/Term | ||
| SOCS1-UC 7241 | Social Sciences Research Methods | 4 |
| Sociology Concentration Course: Society & the Individual | 4 | |
| Sociology Concentration Course: Social Structures & Processes | 4 | |
| Sociology Major Requirement Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 6th Semester/Term | ||
| Sociology Major Requirement Course | 4 | |
| Sociology Major Requirement Course | 4 | |
| Sociology Major Requirement Course | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 7th Semester/Term | ||
| Sociology Major Requirement Course | 4 | |
| Global Perspectives | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 8th Semester/Term | ||
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Graduation Project | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 128 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and abilities to:
- Explain key theories, perspectives, and approaches to selected Social Science disciplines.
- Apply theories appropriate to continuing and current issues in the Social Sciences.
- Conduct critical inquiries supported by evidence appropriate to the Social Sciences.
- Identify, evaluate, and compare different scholarly interpretations and arguments.
- Use empirical evidence to evaluate the arguments and conclusions of scholars and researchers in selected Social Science disciplines.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
School of Professional Studies Policies
Additional academic policies can be found on the School of Professional Studies academic policy page.