Interested in the forces that shape human behavior and give rise to social norms and cultural patterns? Are you fascinated by how we interact and communicate? Perhaps you are intrigued by political science and the law. Explore interests and lay the foundation for a productive career. Choose from two options: Policy, Law, and Society is tailored to students interested in law school or exploring policy-related careers and interdisciplinary General Social Sciences option gives flexibility to explore a variety of paths.
"In the Social Sciences at Michigan Tech, I have been given numerous opportunities to work closely with faculty and peers on a wide variety of projects, both as part of the curriculum, and through research opportunities provided by attentive and encouraging faculty. Glad I transferred here! The breadth of experience it has afforded me, seems in many ways to have made up for lost time."
What Will I Be Studying
The general interdisciplinary option allows you to tailor a portion of your degree to a disciplinary area of interest–such as sociology, political science, anthropology, or history–while also providing broad exposure to the social sciences as a whole. Choose courses that fit your interests: social science research methods, introductory disciplinary courses, and advanced disciplinary courses. The method courses include ethnography, demographics, survey methodology, social statistics, graphical information systems (GIS), and historical methods.
The Policy, Law, and Society concentration is more focused, but still adaptable to personal interests and needs. This concentration provides a foundation in legal topics with classes in government and policy issues, including American government, environmental policy, and international law. Our broad liberal arts curriculum offers excellent preparation for law school.
In both options, other electives and the University’s general education program, allows you to pursue interests in other areas like business, communications, or the arts.
Building On Your Passions
Discovering her path after finding a truer sense of herself all while loving the journey? That’s Michigan Tech for Kat Dvorak.
Questions?
Susanna Peters
- Associate Teaching Professor
- Social Sciences Program Advisor
- University Ombuds
- speters@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2391
- AOB 219 (Spring 23' Office Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3pm, or by appt)
Learning goals
In this program, you will be expected to demonstrate:
- An understanding of the disciplinary methods and core social theories associated with the fields of anthropology, geography, history, political science, and history.
- An understanding of fundamental political, legal, and social institutions, processes, actors, behaviors, and ideas.
- An ability to apply your knowledge in ways that contribute to the development of effective strategies in pursuit of a just, secure, and sustainable society.
- An ability to design and carry out social science research to a social or policy issue and to communicate results in a professional setting
For students who choose the Law and Society concentration, more focus will be placed on policy issues than social issues.
What jobs will I have?
We set you up for success in graduate school, law school, management, social work, the ministry, government administration, and a myriad of professions—so set your sights high and follow your passions. Social sciences alumni have landed diverse positions with titles that include:
- Attorney
- Intelligence Analyst
- Military Officer
- High School Teacher
- Pastor
- Student Affairs Coordinator
- Social Worker
- Hazard Communications Specialist
- Business Owner
Beyond the classroom
Our low student-to-faculty ratio means individualized attention in classes and advising. Your instructors will know you personally, so ask about how to gain real-world experience: internships, study abroad, research opportunities, Enterprise projects, or completing Air Force and Army officer training programs.
Professional development
Whether you plan to apply to graduate schools or interview for employment, our professional development course prepares you. From guidance on writing cover letters and graduate school essays to preparing for the GRE, LSAT, and your first job interview.
Specific courses also provide professional development opportunities such as using geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze problems spatially, interviewing people, and conducting archival research. Husky grit and tenacity guaranteed by graduation.
Research opportunities
Social sciences share the goal of understanding how human behavior is organized, how people make collective choices, and how social structures and daily practices change over time. Michigan Tech faculty conduct research to help communities and policy makers make informed choices in environmental and energy policy and industrial heritage. Faculty are eager to guide students’ independent studies, either in their field of research, or in one you identify. Many students have earned a Michigan Tech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF).
Recent projects involving students include researching public concerns associated with the use of autonomous vehicles in rural areas, helping a community establish a community solar farm, and examining the possibility of using abandoned mines as a source of water for geothermal heating.