Social Sciences, BPhil
Curriculum
In curriculum taught by Northwestern University faculty, social sciences disciplines are equally represented in the core courses, while research and methods courses foster engagement with key texts, scholarly sources, and the gathering and analysis of evidence. Advanced elective courses offer the opportunity to emphasize certain academic subjects and engage in exploring others including black studies, economics, history, and international studies.
The bachelor's degree requirements are 45 units total and include distribution, writing, and elective courses, and the major requirements.
Social Sciences Major Requirements
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Four Core Courses | |
| Anthropology | |
| One of the following: | |
| Culture and Society | |
| Human Origins | |
| Archaeology: Unearthing History | |
| The Study of Culture Through Language | |
| Political Science | |
| One of the following: | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | |
| American Government and Politics | |
| Law in the Political Arena | |
| Introduction to International Relations | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | |
| Psychology | |
| PSYCH 110-CN | Introduction to Psychology |
| Sociology | |
| One 100-or 200-level Sociology course 1 | |
| Research/Methods Courses | |
| Statistics | |
| STAT 202-CN | Introduction to Statistics and Data Science |
| or PSYCH 201-CN | Statistical Methods in Psychology |
| Methods and Analysis | |
| One of the following: | |
| Ethnographic Methods and Analysis | |
| Introduction to Empirical Methods in Political Science | |
| Sociological Analysis | |
| Research Seminar | |
| One of the following: | |
| Senior Seminar | |
| Political Research Seminar | |
| Field Research and Methods of Data Collection | |
| Senior Research Seminar | |
| Electives | |
| Five 300-level courses in anthropology, political science, psychology or sociology 2 | |
- 1
Excluding SOCIOL 226-CN Sociological Analysis.
- 2
Courses must be selected from at least two subjects. Up to two 200-level courses may be included with academic adviser approval. An additional research seminar may be counted as an elective.
Degree Requirements
SPS programs lead to one of three Northwestern University bachelor’s degrees, the bachelor of philosophy (BPhil), the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS), and the bachelor of philosophy in communication (BPhilCom), which is conferred by the School of Communication.
The bachelor of philosophy (BPhil) and the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS) are conferred by the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The primary difference between the two degrees is that the BPhil includes a language requirement. Some majors offer a choice of the BPhil or the BSGS degree.
Bachelor of Philosophy
To earn the BPhil degree, students must complete a total of 45 units, including a writing requirement, two years of study in a language other than English (or demonstration of equivalent language proficiency), distribution requirements, a major, and electives. Language proficiency may be demonstrated by completion of a second-year language sequence with a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 and 113 | 2 |
| Language | 6 |
| Humanities | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
| Major Requirements | 10-22 |
| Electives | Up to 15 |
| Total | 45 |
About the Writing Requirement
The writing requirement ensures that students have the skills necessary to meet the rigorous writing demands of subsequent SPS courses in all majors and disciplines. The expository writing courses provide the tools to meet the demands of advanced academic writing; the courses may not be audited or taken on a pass/no credit basis.
Transfer and performance-based admission students must fulfill the writing requirement through one of two options:
Option 1: Complete an English composition course at SPS.
Demonstrate successful completion of English 111 or 205. A grade of C or higher is required.
Option 2: Successfully appeal the writing requirement via the Student Affairs Petition Form.
Students who believe they have the writing skills necessary for university-level research and analytical papers may appeal the SPS writing requirement.
A successful appeal does not result in credit for the writing course. Students must complete another course in its place according to the needs and guidelines of their program. Writing will be evaluated for standards of good expository writing, including: a fully developed thesis; sound logic and adequate evidence in support of the thesis; effective organization, coherent structure and an overall unity; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Appeal materials must be submitted by the quarter deadline before entry.
About the Distribution Requirements
Students complete course work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to obtain a broad experience in the liberal arts. Courses that satisfy these distribution requirements include the following areas:
Humanities
Art history, classics, comparative literary studies, English literature, languages other than English (up to two units), history, humanities (HUM), music history, philosophy, religion, and some courses in black studies, languages with literature, gender studies, performance studies, radio/television/film, and theatre.
Sciences
Astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer information systems, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics, and some courses in anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, radio/television/film, and statistics.
Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, and some courses in black studies, communication sciences and disorders, gender studies, psychology, and statistics.