Social Sciences Elective

Core Course Description

In an effort to increase student understanding of the purpose of and interconnectivity between core courses, the syllabus should include the following statement (which is not a Catalog text):

"The Social Sciences study human behavior and action in a systematic, rigorous, evidence based, generalizing, objective, and cumulative way. They apply the scientific method, using qualitative and quantitative techniques, to study how people behave and act as individuals, in groups, and in society. In this course, you will analyze social issues using scientific research conducted with diverse populations. You will become better able to describe the role and functions of social institutions, explain human behavior and relationships within complex social systems, and critically analyze social science issues within a larger historical and global context."

Student Learning Objectives

Student Learning Objectives are assessable and must be included in all syllabi. SLOs will be measured through the efforts of the Core Curriculum Assessment Committee and possibly through student evaluations. Each syllabus should contain the following:

"This course is part of the Xavier Core Curriculum, which aims to develop people of learning and reflection, integrity and achievement, in solidarity for and with others. It addresses the following core learning objectives at the introductory level:

1a: Students recognize and cogently discuss significant questions in the humanities, arts, and the natural and social sciences.

5a: Students examine the diverse, complex and interdependent nature of people in the world.

4a and/or 4b: Students describe and examine the multifaceted character of society and how the inclusion of different perspectives can influence one's worldview; Students discuss and evaluate what constitutes human wellness. [choose one or both]

[The above is a minimum for Social Sciences Electives. Individual instructors are encouraged to add other core SLOs as appropriate.]

In addition to Xavier core learning objectives, this course includes these other key learning objectives:

[Additional SLOs to be determined by individual instructors/departments]"

Course Principles

Course principles are to be addressed substantively through topics and graded assignments in every course fitting the description. While these need not be stated in the syllabus, faculty are encouraged to regularly point out how assignments are achieving these goals.

• 1. The course will be primarily a content based course but should include a significant and palpable interpretation of scientific process - that is how the content has been derived within the particular area should be a secondary and important focus of the course.

• 2. The course will address significant questions within the discipline

• 3. Each course will include a component - or will weave throughout the course - how the specific content area covered within the course is related to the social sciences as a whole.

Approval Procedure

Social Sciences Elective courses are offered by the numerous departments. If you would like to teach a Social Sciences Elective course, follow these guidelines.