Advising

Fall Term Suggested Courses: Social Science

Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with your academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email sipathway@pdx.edu.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:

  • Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
  • Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
  • You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Science. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
  • The Social Science major is interdisciplinary major that allows you the flexibility and flexibility to choose the courses that interest you most within the Social Science disciplines. The only course required for all majors is WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry.
  • If you are planning on becoming a teacher, be sure to review the Pre-Education guide for general information on becoming a teacher.

First-Year Students:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits)UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits)These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199.
Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 211, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, SOC 206Z, WS 101Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 211, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, SOC 206Z, WS 101

Choose any that interest you and fit your schedule.

These are great classes to take in your first year at PSU. You will also be required to take 1-2 electives; don't be afraid to take one! You can choose from this list of introductory classes.

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 30-89 credits:

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you. 
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199.
Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 211, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, SOC 206Z, WS 101Any 100/200-level social science course, such as: BST 211, CHLA 201, CCJ 200, CCJ 210, CCJ 230, CCJ 235, CCJ 240, CCJ 260, HST 101, HST 104, HST 200, HST 201, NAS 299, PS 101, PS 204, PS 221, PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, SOC 206Z, WS 101Choose any that interest you and fit your schedule. 

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 90 or more credits credits:

If you are transferring 135 or more credits, you do not need the Upper Division Cluster, and we strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.

For BA degreeFor BS degreeAdvisor Pro Tips
Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)Choose any Cluster that interests you! You will need three courses from one Cluster.
Language course (4-5 credits)MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits)Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199.
WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry (4 credits)WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry (4 credits)

WR 323 is the only course required for the Social Science major, and rarely transfers in. This can be taken in any term.

If language or math is completed, take any 300/400-level Social Science course.

Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses

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