Download Social Science

What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Lewis-Clark State College offers four baccalaureate and two associate degrees
through the Social Sciences Division. You can learn more about the Social Sciences
Division and the programs therein by visiting the LCSC catalog.
» Click below for specific areas you are interested in:
Advocacy
Anthropologist
Behavioral Science
Community Organization
Education
Geographer
Historian
Lobbyist
Political Scientist
Research and Education
Sociologist
General Information:
Social Scientists study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social
institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business
organizations. They study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and
growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.Their research
provides insights that help us understand different ways in which individuals and groups make
decisions, exercise power, and respond to change. Through their studies and analyses, social
scientists suggest solutions to social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental
problems.
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The Social Science Major integrates the social sciences into a composite program. It is
a liberal arts major that provides a balance between domestic, regional, and global
issues.
The Social Science-Secondary Education Major is for those interested in becoming
secondary education teacher within the disciplines of social science. Students have two
advisors in this major.
Interdisciplinary: Business & Social Sciences- for those students interested in designing
a course of study to satisfy personal and career goals.
The Social Science Major has four emphasis areas: Anthropology, History, Political
Science and Sociology.
The Social Science Department also offers two Associate of Arts degrees: Behavioral
Science- which provides coursework and field placement experience in human services,
and Liberal Arts which gives students an introduction to three disciplines in the social
sciences.
What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Advocacy
Advocate, Human Services Program Specialist, Mental Health Technician, Addictions Counselor
Assistant, Caseworker, Independent Living Specialist, Activities of Daily Living Specialist, Case
Manager, Family Development Specialist, Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist
DESCRIPTION
Assist professionals from a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social
work, to provide client services, as well as support for families. May assist clients in identifying
available benefits and social and community services and help clients obtain them. May assist
social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve
problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or adult daycare.
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Anthropologist
Community Developers, Health Care Analyst, Diplomatic Service Specialist, Educational Policy
Analyst, Environmentalist, Forensic Scientist, Intelligence Officers, Marketing, Museum
Curators, Anthropology Instructor, Behavioral Scientist, Researcher
DESCRIPTION
Anthropologists study the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and
behavior of humans. They may study the way of life, archaeological remains, language, or
physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. Some compare the customs,
values, and social patterns of different cultures. Anthropologists usually concentrate in
sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, or biological-physical anthropology.
Sociocultural anthropologists study customs, cultures, and social lives of groups in settings
that vary from nonindustrialized societies to modern urban centers. Archaeologists recover and
examine material evidence, such as ruins, tools, and pottery remaining from past human
cultures in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
Linguistic anthropologists study the role of language in various cultures. Biological-physical
anthropologists study the evolution of the human body, look for the earliest evidences of
human life, and analyze how culture and biology influence one another. Most anthropologists
specialize in one particular region of the world.
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What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Behavioral Science
Advocate, Human Services Program Specialist, Mental Health Technician, Addictions Counselor
Assistant, Caseworker, Independent Living Specialist, Activities of Daily Living Specialist, Case
Manager, Family Development Specialist, Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist
DESCRIPTION
Assist professionals from a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social
work, to provide client services, as well as support for families. May assist clients in identifying
available benefits and social and community services and help clients obtain them. May assist
social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve
problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or adult daycare.
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Community Organization
Program Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, Community Services Block
Grant/Outreach Social Worker, Director of Child Welfare Services, Director of Social Services,
Personal Care Attendant/Independent Living Services Coordinator
DESCRIPTION
Plans, organizes, or coordinates the activities of a social service program or community
outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding
participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing
social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
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Education
Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Classroom Teacher
DESCRIPTION
Instruct students in secondary public or private schools, or one-on-one, in one or more
subjects at the secondary level.
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What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Geographer
Earth Observations Chief Scientist, Environmental Affairs Corporate Director, Environmental
Scientist, GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer), GIS Physical
Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist), Research Coordinator, Scientist
DESCRIPTION
Geographers analyze distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional,
continental, and global scales. Economic geographers study the distribution of resources and
economic activities. Political geographers are concerned with the relationship of geography to
political phenomena, whereas cultural geographers study the geography of cultural
phenomena. Physical geographers study variations in climate, vegetation, soil, and landforms,
and their implications for human activity. Urban and transportation geographers study cities
and metropolitan areas, while regional geographers study the physical, economic, political,
and cultural characteristics of regions, ranging in size from a congressional district to entire
continents. Medical geographers study health care delivery systems, epidemiology (the study
of the causes and control of epidemics), and the effect of the environment on health.
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Historian
Archivist, Historian, Professor of History, University Archivist, Professor, Research Associate,
Special Collections Librarian, College Archivist, Director of Education, Director of Programs
DESCRIPTION
Historians research, analyze, and interpret the past. They use many sources of information in
their research, including government and institutional records, newspapers and other
periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts such as personal
diaries and letters. Historians usually specialize in a country or region; a particular time
period; or a particular field, such as social, intellectual, political, or diplomatic history.
Biographers collect detailed information on individuals. Genealogists trace family histories.
Other historians help study and preserve archival materials, artifacts, and historic buildings
and sites.
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Lobbyist
Account Executive, Marketing Director, Public Relations Account Executive, Account
Supervisor, Communications Manager, Corporate Communications Director, Information and
Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Officer, Public Information Officer, Media Outreach
Coordinator
DESCRIPTION
Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing
or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications
media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.
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What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Political Scientist
International Affairs Vice President, State-Federal Relations Deputy Director, Technical
Director
DESCRIPTION
Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems and
public policy. They conduct research on a wide range of subjects such as relations between
the United States and other countries, the institutions and political life of nations, the
politics of small towns or a major metropolis, or the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Studying topics such as public opinion, political decision-making, ideology, and public policy,
they analyze the structure and operation of governments as well as various political entities.
Depending on the topic, a political scientist might conduct a public opinion survey, analyze
election results, analyze public documents, or interview public officials.
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Research and Education
Research Assistant, Research Specialist, Research Associate, Research Analyst, Social
Science Research Assistant, Project Manager, Graduate Research Assistant, Survey Analyst,
Project Director, Graduate Assistant
DESCRIPTION
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social research. Researchers may
perform publication activities, laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Normally these individuals work under the direct supervision of a social scientist and assist
in more routine activities.
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What can I do with a major in Social Science?
Sociologist
Research Scientist, Research Associate, Social Scientist, Behavioral Scientist, Foundation
Program Director, International Health Director, Policy Analyst, Research and Evaluation
Manager, Research Center Director, Research Coordinator
DESCRIPTION
Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups and social
institutions people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business
organizations. They also study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and
growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. They are
concerned with the characteristics of social groups, organizations, and institutions; the ways
individuals are affected by each other and by the groups to which they belong; and the
effect of social traits such as sex, age, or race on a person’s daily life. The results of
sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others interested in
resolving social problems and formulating public policy.
Most sociologists work in one or more specialties, such as social organization, stratification,
and mobility; racial and ethnic relations; education; family; social psychology; urban, rural,
political, and comparative sociology; sex roles and relations; demography; gerontology;
criminology; or sociological practice.
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