SJSU Catalog

College of Social Sciences

Programs in the College of Social Sciences prepare students for work and life in Silicon Valley and a rapidly changing world. Our thirteen departments provide training for careers in counseling, criminology, environmental restoration, computerized mapping, public administration, economic analysis, organizational communication, international relations, ergonomics, urban and regional planning, and countless other fields in business, government, teaching and human services. Major courses of study emphasize the contributions of the many cultures that form our community. Internships are encouraged to help students relate academic work to the opportunities and needs of this diverse region. Completion of one of our undergraduate majors also provides an excellent foundation for advanced graduate work in one of the disciplines or at a professional school such as law or business.

New technologies increasingly improve our instruction and link us to the innovative industry of our region and to the educational resources of the world, but personal interaction between students and faculty is still prized within the College of Social Sciences. Capable and interesting teachers, active student clubs and small classes provide ideal environments for learning. If you are interested in majoring in one of the social sciences, contact an advisor in one of our departments or the dean's office.

Special Centers

The programs of the College of Social Sciences are further enriched by educational, research and training opportunities provided by the following specialized units:

The Burdick Military History Project supports the study and teaching of military history through public lectures, the Veterans Oral History Project, and it specialized collection of materials relating to military history. Contact the History Department.

The Center for Development of Recycling advances education, research and dissemination of information in various areas of recycling. Contact the Environmental Studies Department.

The Center for Economic Education supports improvement in the teaching of economics through a multi-method approach and the dissemination of economics education materials. Contact the Economics Department.

The Center for Geographic Education conducts workshops, seminars and in-service and pre-service instruction to help K-12 teachers attain a more comprehensive understanding of our planet through the study of geography. Contact the Geography Department.

The East Asian Regional Materials and Resources Center provides information and counsel about studies in Asia, including library and audio-visual material available to teachers. Contact the History Department.

The Sourisseau Academy promotes better understanding and appreciation of California's state and local history, with emphasis on the history of Santa Clara Valley, through graduate scholarships and collections of historical source materials. Contact the History Department.

Teaching Credential Programs

Teacher preparation programs are administered by the Director of Social Science Education within the College of Social Sciences. Both multiple subject and single subject programs are offered. The Environmental Studies Department also offers a multiple subject program, and the Communication Studies Department cooperates with the English Department to prepare students for the single subject credential in English. Contact these departments for details.