Behavioral and Social Sciences

B.A. in Behavioral Sciences

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Overview

At its core, behavioral and social sciences study human behavior, and the evolution and process of change of the structure and function of individuals, societies, and institutions. Our program emphasizes inter- and intra-connected contextual impacts. Disciplines include criminal justice, political science, history, psychology, sociology, and social work – with foreign languages, history, and Islamic Studies as additional areas.

Our Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences gives you the flexibility to customize your education through areas of concentration in Political Science or History, criminal justice, psychology, social work, or sociology. Explore social science in Chicago to pursue your degree as a broad generalist or with a focus on a specific discipline – whichever best fits your educational goals and objectives.

Catalog

Program Objectives

Combining applied scientific research with a sound grasp of major theories in the behavioral and social sciences, you’ll gain the technical ability and theoretical comprehension to recognize, articulate, and assess:

  • Artistic, social, and scientific contributions of different cultures, societies, and peoples
  • Implications of comprehensive global interconnectedness and interdependence of forms of life as related to humankind
    Key assumptions of diverse sociopolitical, historical, cultural, and psychological theories
  • Critical functions and importance of science and technology in social and human development
  • Needs and aspirations of human beings as contributing factors of societal, that is to say: socioeconomic, political, and cultural activities.

Upon completion of the program, you will be able to contribute proactively to solutions of current and future challenges substantially resulting from globalization and global interdependence.

This program is particularly suited to merging your vocational sense of mission in service of humanity with that of a highly skilled profession. It also provides excellent and permanent employment opportunities. All of the major areas – be it political science, history, psychology, criminal justice, social work, or sociology – embrace high degree of realistic, practical, hands-on application, thorough familiarity with foundational theoretical knowledge, and comprehensive reflective assessment allowing for constant improvement and growth. Your focus ultimately remains on making the world community a better place to live.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Behavioral Sciences

The degree requirements consist of three basic components for a total of no less than 180 quarter hours of credit:

I: General Education Core (64 Credit Hours)

II: BHS Core and Concentration Courses (80 Credit Hours)

III: Elective Courses (36 Credit Hours)

I: General Education Core courses

  • 5 specified courses in English and Communications for a total of 20 quarter hours
  • 1 specified mathematics course, one biology course, and 12 additional hours from biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics for a total of 20 hours
  • 1 specified humanities course and 16 additional quarter hours in specified courses from Behavioral and Social Sciences for a total of 20 hours
  • 1 specified course from computer and information science for a total of 4 hours

II: BHS Core Concentration Courses

  • 12 specified BHS core courses, and an additional 32 hours BHS elective courses

III: Elective courses

  • 36 credits from freely selected courses

Sample Degree Outline

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Behavioral and Social Sciences Total Course Requirement: 180 credit hours

General Education Core Courses

(64 credit hours)

Behavioral and Social Sciences Major Courses

(80 credit hours)

Core Courses

(48 credit hours)

CI213 Desktop Spreadsheet Application
EC201 or EC202 Principles of Microeconomics; Principles of Macroeconomics;
EC311 Comparative Economic Systems
HS326 Contemporary America
MT221 Fundamentals of Statistics
PL310 Development of Political Thought
PL381 International Relations
PS311 Life Span Development
SC322 Crime, Society and Social Justice
SC335 Social Research Methods
CJ276 Criminal Profiling

Concentration Courses

(32 credit hours)

Choose one. Suggested areas of focused interest in the BHS program, with a recommended sequence of courses, include:

Political Science

BS101 Introduction to Business
CJ210 CJ210 Constitutional Law
PL214 Politics: Public Opinion, Pressure Groups, and Political Parties
EN217 African History
EN300 Negotiations
PL313 Politics of American Minorities
EN380 Negotiation
EN440 Persuasion and Debate

Criminal Justice

CJ202 Administration of the Criminal Justice
CJ203 Administration of the Juvenile Justice
CJ220 Criminal Law and Procedure
CJ230 Introduction to Investigation
CJ240 Police Organization and Management
CJ250 Professional Responsibility in Criminal Justice
CJ260 Constitutional Law
CJ303 Special Topics in Criminal Justice

History

HS122 Untied States History Since 1865
CJ210 Constitutional Law
HS231 African History
HS241 Survey of Latin American Civilization
HS251 Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization
SC311 Population and Human Ecology
HS326 Contemporary America
SC384 Society and Culture

Psychology

PS201 Child Development
PS202 Educational Psychology
PS204 Thinking and Writing in Psychology
PS311 Life Span Development
PS321 Social Psychology
PS322 Ethics in Psychology
PS341 Theories of Personality
PS491 Contemporary Issues in Psychology

Sociology

SC202 Group Processes
SC311 Population and Human Ecology
SC313 Environment of the Community
SC315 Community Health Issues
SC333 Social Problem Solving
SC384 Society and Culture
SC371 Women in Society
SC494 Contemporary Topics in Sociology

Social Work

SC313 Environment of the Community
SC315 Community Health Issues
SC320 Introduction to Social Work
SC333 Social Problem Solving
SC371 Women in Society
SC424 Issues in Welfare
SC430 Social Work Practice I
SC431 Social Work Practice II

"Students who opt not to select one of these focused areas of interest must still complete the general education requirements (64 quarter hours), the BHS major courses (48 quarter hours) plus an additional 32 quarter hours, and an additional 36 quarter hours of electives for a total of 180 credit hours."

Free Electives

(36 credit hours)

Curricular Requirements

Curricular requirements must comply with all general academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including:

  • Completion of 180 quarter hours
  • Residency requirement of 48 quarter hours
  • Completion of HM 279 (East-West University Signature course)
  • Completion of HM 491 (Senior Seminar)
  • An overall GPA of 2.0 and 2.5 GPA in the major
  • Compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress policy pertaining to both Grade Maintenance and Timely Completion
  • All outcome measures required by the assessment program must be passed successfully
  • All financial obligations must be cleared