Social Sciences

 

Designing a Social Sciences Course

Liberal Studies Social Sciences courses help students become critical analysts of theories and evidence about social forces and social experience.

"Two female students chat together while seated at a table in the library."

What are the learning objectives of Social Sciences courses?

  1. Discuss the role of social factors in contemporary problems or personal experiences.
  2. Analyze claims about social phenomena.

What aspects of course design are necessary to certify a course for Social Sciences?

The course submission must reflect the following information:

Social Sciences courses help students become critical analysts of theories and evidence about social forces and social experience. The course objectives, course materials, activities, and grading criteria should reflect how students will achieve this outcome.

If not clearly incorporated into the course syllabus, a sample assignment or two (and associated grading criteria) should be included in an appendix to the syllabus. These materials should illustrate how students will be assessed on their achievement of the student learning objectives.

Credit hours:

  • General Education courses should not be less than 3 credit hours. (This does not include 1-credit labs.)
  • Variable credit hour courses should have a clear justification (ex: internship, seminar with rotating topics).

Note: General Education courses must be offered at a level of 1000, 2000, or 3000. Only college-level courses (1000 or higher) are approved for the Liberal Studies curriculum.

What language must be included in the syllabus?

There are two components of required syllabus language:

  1. Statements approved by the Faculty Senate, and
  2. Statements for each Liberal Studies designation the course is certified for

 

Faculty Senate required syllabus language:
All syllabi are required to include the syllabus language statements approved by the FSU Faculty Senate, available at https://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Resources/syllabus-language.

Liberal Studies required syllabus language:

The following statement can either be 1) adapted specifically to the course content, or 2) pasted verbatim into the syllabus. In either case, the meaning of the language should be clearly communicated to students.

This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies Social Sciences requirements and helps you become a critical analyst of theories and evidence about social forces and social experience.

By the end of this course, students will:

  1. Discuss the role of social factors in contemporary problems or personal experiences.
  2. Analyze claims about social phenomena.

Can I combine Social Sciences with any other Liberal Studies areas?

  • Social Sciences can be combined with any of the University Wide Graduation Requirements.
    • If you choose to add a writing designation to your course proposal, note that a course can only fulfill one type of Writing requirement.
      • A course may be E-Series/State-Mandated Writing “W” or Upper-Division Writing.
    • If you are considering a capstone experience for your course proposal, note that a course can carry either the Scholarship in Practice (SIP) or Formative Experience designation, but not both.

Is there a syllabus template I can use to develop a Social Sciences course?

Yes. While there is no strictly required format for syllabi, our office has created the following document that you may use to facilitate the process of creating a Liberal Studies syllabus:  Syllabus Guide - Social Sciences

Who should I contact if I have more questions or concerns?

  • Faculty may contact Kestrel Strickland with any questions about Liberal Studies course design, as well as questions about using the Curricular Request Application (CRA) to submit curricular requests for Liberal Studies approval.
  • You may also browse the FAQ for commonly asked questions and answers.