INFORMATION FOR
SOCIAL SCIENCES TRACK
Through a series of seminars and a carefully-supervised research project in an area of personal interest, students explore how the social sciences share some intellectual heritage and how they can come together to address problems confronting the contemporary world. Track participants will examine the perspectives of psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology on matters including the family, work life, the legal system, religion, hatred, aggression, poverty, international conflict, and other topics.
Who should apply?
Open to students from any major, the track draws primarily from sociology, psychology, political science, and anthropology majors. Students from business, communications, public health, and many other majors have also enrolled. A minimum 3.25 GPA is required.
Students in the track can expect a stimulating learning opportunity led by accomplished researchers in the social sciences who are also deeply committed to teaching and preparing students for the next steps in their education and careers.
Students will read and discuss some of the finest social scientific thinkers throughout history; they will also learn how to conduct meaningful social science research. Our goal is for many students in the track to present their findings at scholarly conferences and, even, to publish their work.
The Honors Track in the Social Sciences is particularly appropriate for students who want to strengthen their applications to law school or graduate school in psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, social work, law enforcement, and associated fields.
What courses will I take?
Required Courses
Example Course sequence for Social Science Track
Track courses may be taken in any order with the permission of the director.
Social Science Honors 2010 – Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences I: Theory
As social scientists attempt to decipher human social behavior, they make various moral, theoretical, political, and methodological choices. The first two seminars in the track examine the intellectual origins of such choices. A special effort is made to identify where the various social science disciplines differ and where possibilities exist for interdisciplinary cooperation. Students in the first seminar explore these issues while reading and discussing classic works in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Social Sciences Honors track
Social Science Honors 2020 – Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences II: Methodology
This seminar presents and assesses various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used in the social sciences. Students also participate in semester-long group research projects.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Social Sciences Honors track.
Social Science Honors 3010 – Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences III: Application
Each semester, this seminar examines a different social dilemma from a variety of social science perspectives. Seminars may address: (1) Law and Justice, (2) International Conflict, (3) Family Matters, (4) Religion, or other topics.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Social Sciences Honors track or permission of the Track Director. Students may repeat this course for credit, though subsequent enrollments would count as electives.
Social Science Honors 4010 – Honors Thesis I
Students design and carry out research in preparation for writing an honors thesis. We will embrace methodological diversity, requiring primarily that a project be feasible and fall within the domain of the social sciences broadly conceived. Faculty members are committed to helping students conduct successful research.
Prerequisites: SSH 2010, SSH 2020, and SSH 3010 or permission of the Track Director.
Social Science Honors 4020 – Honors Thesis II
Students complete and present an honors thesis.
Prerequisites: SSH 4010 or permission of the Track Director.
Recent Thesis Topics:
How do I enroll?
To enroll in the Social Sciences Honors Track, contact the Director, Dr. Danielle Wallace, at 973-720-3026, wallaced12@wpunj.edu.You must also complete the track application in WPConnect, under Academic Services, Honors application.
About the Track Director:
