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Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts - Social Science - (beyond Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree)

Student Learning Outcomes
  • Acquire and interpret scholarly information and data to reach informed, reasoned, and balanced conclusions.
  • Synthesize information effectively in oral and written form.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of how the core social science disciplines--anthropology, history, political science, and psychology--approach the analysis of human social behavior.
  • Apply concepts and methods to an original professional study in social sciences.
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
 
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (BASS) is to fulfill and extend the mission and philosophy of Great Basin College. The BASS provides a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base and professional experience. This course of study is designed to instill abilities in critical thinking, writing, presentation, and research skills, as well as build an interdisciplinary knowledge base.
 
Professional Skills and Career Paths
Graduates of social science programs at GBC have gone on to careers in archeology, education, counseling, human resources, higher education student services, business management, law, and environmental consultation, to name a few. Others have moved forward in their existing careers with federal agencies, non-profit groups, and industry. Social science graduates have also successfully entered graduate programs in anthropology, history, political science, psychology, education, social work, library science, sociology, and law. A social science degree prepares a student for many career paths and postgraduate education.
 
Admission to the Program
Students who have an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an Associate of Applied Science (with any major or emphasis) are encouraged to apply for the 2+2 BASS online program. Students must complete and submit the application form for the BASS to be formally admitted to the program. Applications are accepted and reviewed continuously. The application form is available on the GBC website and at the social science department at the Elko campus (DCIT 105). Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all other accredited institutions attended before acceptance to complete the application process.
 
Formal admission will be pending until transcripts indicate the completion of the associate degree. Admission is complete when the student receives the acceptance letter from the BASS program supervisor.
 
Applications must be received by the 5 p.m. deadline, April 1st for the upcoming fall semester or November 1st for the upcoming spring semester.
 
Successful applicants to the program will have:
  • Completed an AA, AS, or AAS degree (consisting of at least 60 credits) from an accredited institution of higher learning. Students may apply to the BA program in the semester prior to receiving their associate degree.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 for the associate's degree
  • A grade of C- or higher in ENG 102
Students may be denied entry into the program for violations of the student code of conduct.
 
Advisement
Each student admitted to the BASS program will have a faculty member assigned as advisor by the program supervisor. Students are required to meet with their advisor each semester to ensure progress toward the degree. Advisor assignment is provided in the letter of acceptance to the program. To obtain the name of your advisor, please contact the program administrative assistant at 775.327.2234. Students currently pursuing an AA or AS degree with an interest in the BASS are encouraged to follow the Associate of Arts—Social Science pattern of study published within this catalog. Please contact the program supervisor for additional information.
  • Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 to remain in good standing in the program.
  • To graduate, students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all upper-division courses applied to the degree. This includes courses taken at GBC and those transferred from other institutions
  • Students must make progress toward the degree with no lapses of enrollment exceeding three semesters.
  • Students must comply with the policies of student conduct and academic honesty stated by their instructors, the GBC social science department, Great Basin College, and NSHE.
  • Students not meeting the above criteria may be dismissed from the program.
Prerequisite Requirements
Must have completed at least one course from the following lists
Anthropology/Sociology 
Course # Course Title Credits
ANTH 101 Intro Cultural Anthropology 3 Credits
SOC 101 Prin of Sociology 3 Credits
History
Course # Course Title Credits
HIST 101 U.S. History to 1877 3 Credits
HIST 102 U.S. History Since 1877 3 Credits
HIST 105 Eurpn Civilzatn I to 1648 3 Credits
HIST 106 European Civil since 1648 3 Credits
HIST 208 World History I 3 Credits
HIST 209 World History II 3 Credits
HIST 217 Nevada History 3 Credits
HIST 247 Intro History of Mexico 3 Credits
Political Science
Course # Course Title Credits
PSC 101 Intro American Politics 3 Credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 Credits
Psychology
Course # Course Title Credits
PSY 101 Gen Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 208 Psy of Human Relations 3 Credits
English
Course # Course Title Credits
ENG 102 Composition II 3 Credits
U.S and Nevada Constitution: HIST 101 and 102 or PSC 101
Course # Course Title Credits
HIST 101 U.S. History to 1877 3 Credits
HIST 102 U.S. History Since 1877 3 Credits
PSC 101 Intro American Politics 3 Credits
 
General Education Requirements (beyond those required for AAS).
Students entering with an AAS degree may be required to complete additional General Education courses
 
Mastery Courses
Math/Science (one course required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
MATH 389 Special Topics in Mathematics 3 Credits
INT 359 Integrative Math Seminar 3 Credits
GEOL 335 Earth Resources/Environment 3 Credits
INT 369 Integrative Science Seminar 3 Credits
 
Program Requirements
Social Science upper-division courses are offered on a rotating schedule. One upper-division course in history and one course in psychology will be offered every fall semester. One upper-division course in anthropology and one course in political science will be offered every spring semester. Check with your advisor or the handbook. This is critical for the timely completion for your degree.
Anthropology (two courses required)
Course # Course Title Credits
ANTH 400A Indians of No America 3 Credits
ANTH 400B Indians of Great Basin 3 Credits
ANTH 406 Art in Small-Scale Societies 3 Credits
ANTH 439 Select Top in Cultural Anthro 3 Credits
ANTH 458 Origins of Inequality 3 Credits
 
History (two courses required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
HIST 417C West National Experience 3 Credits
HIST 434 Cities in American History 3 Credits
HIST 441 Am Environmental History 3 Credits
HIST 489B The Silk Roads 3 Credits
HIST 489C History of Globalization 3 Credits
HIST 498 Advanced Historical Studies 1-3 Credits
 
Political Science (two courses required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
PSC 401Z Special Topics in Am Govt 3 Credits
PSC 403C Environmental Policy 3 Credits
PSC 405G International Conflict 3 Credits
 
Psychology (two courses required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
PSY 412 Motivation and Emotion 3 Credits
PSY 435 Personality 3 Credits
PSY 460 Social Psychology 3 Credits
 
Additional Social Science (three courses required) Any upper-division ANTH; CRJ; ECON; HIST; PSC; PSY; and/or SW; INT 349.
 
Written Communications (one course required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
ENG 310 Rhetorics of Everyday Texts 3 Credits
ENG 320 Identities and Texts 3 Credits
ENG 325 Advanced Literary Study 3 Credits
ENG 327 Composition III 3 Credits
ENG 329 Language Study 3 Credits
ENG 333 Prof Communications 3 Credits
ENG 402A Advanced Creative Writing 3 Credits
ENG 411B Principles Modern Grammar 3 Credits
ENG 416C Special Problems in English 1-6 Credits
ENG 416C Special Problems in English 1-6 Credits
ENG 433A Shakespeare:Tragedy/Hist 3 Credits
ENG 449A British Literature I 3 Credits
ENG 449B British Literature II 3 Credits
ENG 451A American Literature I 3 Credits
ENG 451B American Literature II 3 Credits
ENG 475B Literary Nonfiction 3 Credits
ENG 497A Top Multi-Cultural Lit 3 Credits
ENG 498B English Capstone 3 Credits
Methods Requirement 
Course # Course Title Credits
INT 301 Int Rsrch Methodology 3 Credits
Capstone in Integrative Studies
Course # Course Title Credits
INT 496 Capstn/Intgrative Studies 3 Credits
 
Program Electives: (two courses required) Choose from list of courses below or any ANTH, HIST, PSC or PSY 
Course # Course Title Credits
ANTH 307 Ancient Civilizations 3 Credits
ANTH 332 (De)Constructing Race 3 Credits
HIST 208 World History I 3 Credits
HIST 209 World History II 3 Credits
HIST 217 Nevada History 3 Credits
HIST 247 Intro History of Mexico 3 Credits
HIST 303 Worlds of Islam 3 Credits
HIST 341 Global China 3 Credits
PSC 231 Intro International Relations 3 Credits
PSY 208 Psy of Human Relations 3 Credits
PSY 241 Intro to Abnormal Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 233 Child Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 234 Psychology of Adolescence 3 Credits
PSY 313 Well-Being: East Meets West 3 Credits
   ANTH 333                Select Problems in Anthropology                                                                                            3 Credits
 
General Electives: (three courses required). Choose with advisor.
 
Suggested Course Sequence

Course Credits
American Constitutions* 3
ANTH 101 3
Written Communications* 3-5
Mathematical Reasoning* 3-6
Oral Communications* 3
TOTAL 15-20

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Lower-division History* 3
ENG 102 3
Humanities* 3
PSC 101 or 210* 3
Technology Proficiency* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Fine Arts* 3
Program Elective* 3
PSY 101 or 208* 3
Structure of Societies* 3
Scientific Reasoning* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Humanities/Fine Arts* 3
Program Elective* 3
Program Elective* 3
Scientific Data Interpretation* 3
Foundations: Social Science* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Additional Social Science* 3
Program Elective* 3
INT 301 3
Upper-division History* 3
Upper-division Psychology* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Additional Social Science* 3
Mastery Course* 3
Program Elective* 3
Upper-division Anthropology* 3
Upper-division Political Science* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
Upper-division History* 3
Upper-division Psychology* 3
Program Elective* 3
Program Elective* 3
TOTAL 12

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
INT 496 3
Upper-division Anthropology* 3
Upper-division Political Science* 3
Program Elective* 3
Program Elective* 3
TOTAL 15

*Choose with advisor