comparison of Empire State College degree under the Social theory and other AOS options

1. Social Cues:
A Guide to the
Social Theory
AOS
Dee Britton
Catherine Combs
Joyce Elliott
CDL Conference April 27, 2012

2. Why this Session?
 Some concentrations can fit under more than one
AOS, depending on the design and rationale.
 Social Theory, Social Structure and Change (STSSC) is
often overlooked, even when it might be a great fit.
 It is especially important for the student to address the
guidelines for the selected AOS in the rationale, when
more than one is possible.
 The mentor needs to be ready to clarify for the
Assessment Committee how the guidelines for the
selected AOS apply to the program.

3. What is the “Social Theory, Social
Structure and Change” (STSSC) AOS?
 It’san umbrella for degrees in the social sciences.
 Social science disciplines generally expect
students to understand research and theory in the
field. Beyond that, they usually provide a good
deal of leeway for other studies in the “major.”
 STSSC does not specify concentration guidelines.
Students research and design programs in their
fields.

4. Possible Concentrations in STSSC
 Anthropology  Family Studies
 Applied Social Science  Ethnic Studies
 Archeology  Area/Regional Studies
 Criminology (e.g., Southeast Asian
 Economics Studies)
 Geography  Linguistics
 Political Science  Organizational Behavior/
Development
 Social Science
 Peace & Conflict Studies
 Sociology
 Women’s Studies
 Social Psychology
 Other?

5. What can you do
with a STSSC degree?
 Grad school, law school
 Human services
 Business
 Research firms
 Institutional research
 Government service
 Not-for-profits
Roles can include policy analysis, research, data
analysis, administration, program design, program
evaluation, etc.

6. Career Opportunities
in the Social Sciences
 Social service/social  Education
work/counseling
 Police officer/parole
 Government service
officer/forensics/criminal
 Politics/campaign
justice
management
 Policy analysis  Health care
 Management/administration  Museums
 Sales/marketing  International development
 Market research  Not-for-profit management
 Banking/financial  Publishing
Institutions  Journalism

7. Graduate Degree Fields That
Build on the Social Sciences
(statistics and research methods generally expected
for admission)
 Law  Medicine
 Education
 Counseling
 Sociology
 Economics
 Criminology
 Applied Social Research
 Anthropology
 Public Health
 Political
Science
 Public Policy  Urban/Regional Planning
 Public Affairs

8. Career Preparation
 Social science research skills & experience &
excellent writing skills are key career skills.
 Graduate degrees are often important.
 Social sciences are the primary pathway to law
school (especially political science).
 National professional organization websites
provide great career information.
 Mentees can join the national professional
organization that is relevant to them, as student
members.

9. Relevant Professional Associations
(most have student memberships available)
 American Sociological Association
 American Anthropological Association
 American Political Science Association
 American Criminal Justice Association
 National Social Science Association
 Archeological Institute of America
 National Women’s Studies Association
 National Association of Social Workers

10. STSSC Guidelines
 The STSSC guidelines ask the student to develop the
following:
 Broad social perspective
 Historical perspective
 Comparative perspective
 Theoretical perspective
 Critical ability
 The AOS has voted to add knowledge of research
methods, pending further approvals.
 Appropriate study choices depend on the concentration.

11. Related AOS’s
Usually More Usually More Arts &
Professional/Applied Sciences
 Business, Management  Cultural Studies
and Economics  Human Development
 Community and  Interdisciplinary
Human Services Studies
 Public Affairs  STSSC

12. Guideline Comparison: STSSC and CHS
STSSC CHS
 Broad social perspective  Knowledge
 Historical perspective  Skills
 Comparative  Attitudes and values
perspective  Experience, application,
 Theoretical perspective and practice
 Critical Ability

13. STSSC/CHS Example 1
CHS: Criminal Justice (usually B.S.)
STSSC: Criminology (usually B.A.) Introduction to Criminal Justice*
Police Organization/Supervision
Introduction to Criminal Justice* Criminal Evidence and Procedure
Introduction to Law* Principles of Investigation
Contemporary American Social Issues * Juvenile Justice and Delinquency*
Understanding Crime and Justice*+ Alternatives to Incarceration*+
Corrections
Courts and the Administration of Justice*+
Correctional Administration
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency*+ Understanding Crime and Justice*+
Family Violence and Abuse*+ Courts and Administration of Justice*+
Criminal Law*+ Crime and Intelligence Analysis*+
Deviant Behavior*+ Criminal Law*+
American Corrections: Theory/Policy/ Practice*+ Ethical Dilemmas in Crim. Justice*+
Protecting America: Cases/Controversies*+
Power and Privilege*+
Criminal Justice Management and Policy *+
Women, Crime and Criminology*+ Constitutional Criminal Procedure* + 2 cr.
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems *+ Comparative Criminal Justice Systems*+
Research methods (choose one)*+ Research methods (choose one)*+

14. STSSC/CHS Example 2
STSSC: Family Studies (usually B.A.) CHS: Family Services (usually B.S.)
Family and Society*+ Family and Society*+
Families: A Global Perspective *+ Families: A Global Perspective *+
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology* Human Development*
Women’s and Family History in America: Introduction to Human Services*
Colonial Period to Present*+
Interviewing Skills and Techniques
Human Sexuality*+
Analyzing Behavioral Choices*+
Sexuality and the Law*+
Group Work Practices+*
Gays and Lesbians in American Culture*
Family Intervention*+
Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective *
(+ or –) Family Violence and Abuse*+
Women, Girls and the Media*+ Alcohol and Substance Abuse*+
Adolescence and Identity: Community Health+
Home, School, Community*+ Sexuality and the Law*+
Aging and Society*+ Thinking About Race, Class and Gender*+
Family Violence and Abuse*+ Psycho-Social Impacts of Mass disasters *+
Power and Privilege*+ Human Service Ethics*+
Thinking About Race, Class and Gender*+ Practicum in Human Services+
Great Conversations in Social Thought Research Methods (choose one)*+
(forthcoming)*+
Research Methods (choose one)*+

15. Guideline Comparison:
STSSC and Public Affairs
STSSC PA
 Theoretical and philosophical
 Broad social concepts
perspective  Historical and comparative
perspectives
 Historical perspective  Social context
 Legal or policy environment
 Comparative  Economic, financial or budgetary
perspective issues
 Ethics, values and diversity
 Theoretical perspective  Communication skills
 Critical ability  Research skills and info analysis
 Technical and Scientific
knowledge

16. STSSC/PA Example
STSSC: Criminology (usually B.A.) PA: Criminal Justice (usually B.S.)
Introduction to Criminal Justice*
Introduction to Criminal Justice* Police Organization/Supervision
Introduction to Law* Criminal Evidence and Procedure
Contemporary American Social Issues * Principles of Investigation
Understanding Crime and Justice*+ Juvenile Justice and Delinquency*
Courts and the Administration of Justice*+ Alternatives to Incarceration*+
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency*+ Corrections
Correctional Administration
Family Violence and Abuse*+ Understanding Crime and Justice*+
Criminal Law*+ Courts and Administration of Justice*+
Deviant Behavior*+ Crime and Intelligence Analysis*+
American Corrections: Theory/Policy/ Criminal Law*+
Practice*+ Ethical Dilemmas in Crim. Justice*+
Power and Privilege*+ Protecting America: Cases/Controversies*+
Women, Crime and Criminology*+ Criminal Justice Management and Policy *+
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems *+ Constitutional Criminal Procedure* + 2 cr.
Research methods (choose one)*+ Comparative Criminal Justice Systems*+
Public Finance and Budgeting*+
Proposal Writing *+ (2 cr.)
Research methods (choose one)*+

17. Guideline Comparison:
STSSC and BME
STSSC BME
 Broad social perspective  Communication
 Historical perspective  Info management
 Comparative perspective  Economics
 Theoretical perspective  Ethics/social responsibility
 Critical ability  Quantitative
 Understanding people in
org. context
 Understanding orgs. In
broader context

18. STSSC/BME Example 1
STSSC: Economics (usually B.A.) BME: Economics (usually B.S.)
Intro Microeconomics* Intro Microeconomics*
Intro Macroeconomics* Intro Macroeconomics*
Money and Banking*+
Money and Banking*+
History of Economic Thought*+
Business Enterprise in American History of Econ Thought*+
History*+ International Economics*+
International Economics*+ International Political Economy*+
International Political Economy*+ Microeconomic Theory*+ (ind study)
Microeconomic Theory*+ (ind study) Macroeconomic Theory*+ (ind study)
Macroeconomic Theory*+ (ind MIS or CIS
study)
Economics of Gender/Race/Family*+ Statistics*
(ind study) Communications course
Statistics* Business Ethics
Calculus* Management Principles
Other economics elective(s) Organizational Behavior

19. STSSC/BME Example 2
STSSC: Organizational Behavior
(usually B.A.) BME: Organizational Behavior (usually
Introduction to Psychology* B.S.)
Exploring Society* Social Psychology*+
Interpersonal and Small Group Macroeconomics*
Communication 2 cr. Microeconomics*
The Learning Organization*+ Business Ethics*+
Organizational Behavior*+ Statistics*
Analyzing Behavioral Choices*+ Quantitative Methods for Management*+
Power and Privilege*+ Legal Environment of Business*
Social Change: Individual and Society*+ Organizational Behavior*+
Social Change: Paradoxes and Progress*+ Learning Organization*+
Human Resource Management and Organizational Communication*+ (ind
Development*+ study)
Global Perspectives on Political Theory or Power and Privilege*+
Great Conversations in Social Thought Diversity in the Workplace*+
(forthcoming)*+ Human Resource Management+
Social research methods (choose one)*+ MIS+ or CIS-

20. Guideline Comparison:
STSSC and Human Development
STSSC HD
 Broad social perspective  Biopsychosocial
 Historical perspective development
 Comparative perspective  Individual differences
 Theoretical perspective  Contexts for development
 Critical ability  Methodologies for inquiry

21. STSSC/HD Example
STSSC: Social Psychology (usually B.A.) HD: Social Psychology (usually B.A.)
Introduction to Psychology* Introduction to Psychology*
Exploring Society*
Social Psychology*+ Social Psychology*+
Family and Society*+ Abnormal Psychology*+
Aging and Society*+ Theories of Personality*+
Families: A Global Perspective Attachment and Continuity*+
Interpersonal and Small Group Human development studies (choose one
Communication 2 cr.
Child Development* or more)
Adolescence and Identity* Brain and Behavior*
Health Psychology*+ Behavioral Neuroscience*+
Educational Psychology* Evolutionary Psychology*
Cultural Psychology*+ Cultural Psychology*+
Thinking About Race Class and Gender*+
Analyzing Behavioral Choices*+ Statistics*
Great Conversations in Social Thought Quantitative Research: Methods and
(forthcoming)*+ Design*+
History and Systems of Psychology*+ Experimental Psychology*+
Social research methods (choose one)*+

22. Guideline Comparison:
STSSC and Cultural Studies
CS
STSSC  Explore how human beings
understand and articulate their
 Broad social world
perspective  Examine the relationship between
culture as lived experience and
 Historical perspective creative and philosophical
expression
 Comparative  Explore aesthetic and cognitive
forms and values within social and
perspective historical contexts
 Theoretical perspective  Include cross-cultural and
historical perspectives re
gender, class and race
 Critical ability
 Develop skill in critical
reading, interpretation, writing and
speaking

23. STSSC/CS Example
(see commons.esc.edu/studywomen)
STSSC: Women’s Studies
CS: Women’s Studies
Introduction to Women’s Studies*
Introduction to Women’s Studies*
Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural
Perspective* + or – Sex & Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective *
U.S. Women’s History: Lives and Voices*+ (+ or –)
Human Sexuality*+ U.S. Women’s History: Lives and Voices*+
Families: A Global Perspective *+
Images of Women in Western Civilization*+
Thinking About Race, Class and Gender*+
Gays and Lesbians in American Culture* Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America*
Images of Women in Western Civ*+ Art History: A Study of Cultures*+
Women, Girls and the Media*+ Thinking About Race, Class and Gender*+
Power and Privilege*+ U.S. Women’s Multicultural Life Writings*+
Family Violence and Abuse*+
Women, Girls and the Media*+
Women, Crime and Criminology*+
Women in Business: Managing &
Leading*+ Additional studies tailored to student interests
Women Activists: The Voice of Human in images of women, major women figures,
Rights in Latin American* women’s experience and/or women’s
Feminist Theory (ind study) or perspectives on the visual or performing arts,
Great Conversations in Social Thought literature, communications, etc. See annual
(forthcoming) or Global Perspectives on Women’s Studies Residency.
Political Theory *+
Social research methods (choose one) *+

24. Sample STTSC Concentration:
Peace and Conflict Studies
Cultural Anthropology*
Ethnic Conflict in Global Perspective *+
The Middle East*+
Vietnam: A Cross-National Interdisciplinary Perspective*+
Latin America: History, Politics and United States Policy*+
Women Activists: The Voice of Human Rights in Latin America*
Ideal Worlds: Utopian Literature*+
Family Violence and Abuse*+
Thinking About Race, Class and Gender*+
Perspectives on Terrorism
Disaster and Society*+
Water Talks: Rights and Cultures*+
International Politics and Relations*+
Peace and Justice: Contemporary Cases*+ (ind study)
Global Perspectives on Political Theory *+ or Great Conversations in Social Thought
(forthcoming)*+
Social research methods (choose one)*+

25. Sample STSSC Concentration:
Sociology
Exploring Society * Deviant Behavior*+
Contemporary American Social Issues * Disaster and Society*+
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology* Urban Studies*+
Social Psychology*+ Families: A Global Perspective*+
Thinking About Race, Class & Gender* Sex and Gender in Cross-cultural
Perspective* + or -
American Ethnic History*+
Health, Illness and Society*+
Schooling in America*
Great Conversations in Social
Power and Privilege*+ Thought (forthcoming) or alternative
Social Change: Paradox of Progress*+ study of social theory *+
Family and Society*+ Statistics*
Families: A Global Perspective*+ Social research methods (choose one
Aging and Society*+ or more)*+

26. References
 Spalter-Roth, Roberta and Nicole Van Vooren.
2008. “What are they Doing with a Bachelor’s
degree in Sociology?: Data Brief on Current
Jobs”. American Sociological Association..
Retrieved April 12, 2012.
 “What Can You Do With a Degree in
Anthropology?”, American Anthropological
Association. Retrieved April 12, 2012
 “Jobs in the Social Science Fields”, The Riley
Guide.
 SocialScienceJobs.com