Social Science Program
Our program
Study the many facets of humans in the Social Science Program (300/400)
Our Social Science Program allows you to study the many facets of humans, including our minds and bodies, as well as our interactions with each other and the world around us, both today and in the past. Your exploration of social science will be guided by highly qualified faculty from such diverse disciplines as psychology, sociology, economics, history, geography, political science and administration.
PROGRESSION STARTING FALL 2024
Starting in Fall 2024, there will be three parallel course sequences for each program and profile.
If you are eligible to attend English school under the Charter of the French language and are in possession of a certificate granted by the Ministry of Education, you are considered a Certificate Holder. Your course sequence will then be determined by your results in the high school French course (1-2 or 3-4). For more information about Certificates, please consult the Ministry of Education’s website.
If you are not eligible, you must follow the course sequence that prepares students for l'Épreuve uniforme de français (EUF - French minesterial language evalution).
For a brief overview of the changes to course sequences following Law 14, consult this document.
Click here to consult full course sequences for the Social Science Program.
If you started your studies at St. Lawrence in Fall 2023 or earlier, please consult the course sequences below.
OUR PROFILES
St. Lawrence offers six program profiles leading to a DEC in Social Science. All profiles have common elements, but they differ in emphasis and admission requirements. To some extent, the profile that you choose will be determined by the university program that you wish to enter.
The following descriptions and course sequences are only correct if you began your studies in Fall 2023. If you began your studies prior to Fall 2023, please visit the legacy version of this page.
The same profiles continue to be offered, but course sequences will differ slightly starting in Fall 2024. Please see the first section on this page for more information and full course sequences for Fall 2024 and beyond.
Discovery Profile (300.AD):
This profile offers the widest variety of Social Science courses and the greatest flexibility. It is intended for students who wish to discover social sciences and explore their options.
Psychology, Society and Health Profile (300.AP):
This profile places an emphasis on studies oriented toward the helping professions, such as psychology, social work, counselling and criminology. It includes courses in human biology and advanced quantitative methods, required for admission to psychology programs at Québec universities. Other courses specific to this profile are Introduction to Sociology, Social Science and Health, and a psycho-social second-year course.
World Profile (300.AW):
This profile will allow students to explore world issues. During their studies they will be exposed to various social and cultural realities in order to prepare them for travel to a foreign destination as a final semester course. Other courses specific to this profile are Introduction to Geography and Introduction to Politics as well as Living in an Intercultural World: Tools for Fruitful Intercultural Interactions, a language complementary course and a second-year course with an international perspective.
Social Justice & Leadership Profile (300.AJ):
This profile focuses on issues of social justice, community engagement and leadership. An applied course in their final semester will get students involved in the community. Other courses specific to this profile are Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to Politics and a second-year course exploring social justice themes.
Discovery with Mathematics Profile (400.AM):
Students who wish to explore a variety of social science disciplines while pursuing an interest in mathematics will like the Mathematics profile. This profile also increases the number of university programs made available. Courses specific to this profile are Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry.
Commerce Profile (400.AC):
This profile is aimed at students interested in the business world, commerce and economics, and ensures the obtention of the pre-requisites for university studies in business administration such Microeconomics and the three mathematics courses. It also includes Introduction to Business.
Students who would prefer to study many non-business fields before beginning university should consider this profile in the Social Science program. Students who would prefer to focus on business studies at CEGEP should consider our three-year P.W. Sims Business Program.
All our profiles include the following seven courses required by the government as part of the Social Science Program, but their timing depends on the profile (except for the last course):
- Successful Academic Methods (SAM)
- Introduction to Global History from the 15th Century to the Present
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Macroeconomics
- Qualitative methods in Social Science
- Quantitative Analysis in the Social Sciences
- Integrative Activity and Comprehensive Assessment (IA), to be taken in the last semester
For the profiles that do not have a math requirement (300.AD, 300.AP, 300.AW and 300.AJ), the differences in the other Social Science concentration courses are shown below.
|
|
Discovery Profile (300.AD) |
Psychology, Society & Health Profile (300.AP) |
World Profile (300.AW) |
Social Justice & Leadership Profile (300.AJ) |
|
First-level courses |
Choose three of: |
• Introduction to Sociology Choose two of: |
• Introduction to Geography • Introduction to Politics Choose two of: |
• Introduction to Sociology • Introduction to Politics Choose two of: |
|
Second-level courses (See list on page 6) |
• Six options based on pre-requisite courses done in first level |
• The Human Body |
• Living in an Intercultural World • One World option • Three other options • Trip to a Foreign Destination |
• One Social justice option • Four other options • Getting Involved |
For the profiles that have a math requirement (400.AC and 400.AM), the differences in the other Social Science concentration courses are shown below. Note that these two profiles with math only have five second-level courses (rather than six for the other profiles), since the math courses have more class hours.
|
|
Commerce Profile (400.AC) |
Mathematics Profile (400.AM) |
|
First-level courses |
• Differential Calculus |
• Differential Calculus |
|
Second-level courses |
• Integral Calculus |
• Integral Calculus |
OUR GRADUATES
All college programs in Québec have a graduate profile. This describes their graduates' competencies. In addition, there is a comprehensive assessment (CA) which evaluates whether students have met the expectations of the graduate profile. In some programs, the comprehensive assessment is linked to a course with an integrative activity (IA), building on what was learned in past courses.
Graduates of the St. Lawrence Social Science Program should be able to
- Explain human realities by using the main facts, concepts, theories, models and approaches specific to the social science disciplines in a multidisciplinary perspective
- Examine and address, in an inclusive manner, various issues related to citizenship in today’s world, to cultural diversity, and to civic engagement
- Use academic work tools and methods as well as the technology, including information technology, needed to successfully pursue their studies
- Demonstrate scientific and intellectual curiosity, and think critically with a concern for ethical issues
- Experiment with social science research methods in accordance with ethical standards
- Convey ideas in a clear and organized manner in English, both orally and in writing, in the context of social science studies
- Read and understand information resources in French in the context of social science studies
- Demonstrate integration of discipline-specific knowledge and methodological skills required for the study of human realities
- Foster life and self-improvement skills and encourage participation in a global, diverse and digital society;
- Learn and work autonomously, by considering one's learning processes and by designing, planning, carrying out and evaluating projects to meet one's goals
What will be assessed?
The comprehensive assessment will be completed in the IA course that you take in your last semester. See the IA course description in any of the profiles of the Social Science Program.
You must demonstrate your individual ability to integrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed throughout your program by preparing, writing and presenting, both orally and in writing, a social science research essay that uses scholarly sources in French and in English, that considers at least three disciplinary perspectives, and that incorporates collection and analysis of primary data. In other words, you are expected to consolidate and demonstrate your achievement of the expectations of the graduate profile.
The subject for the senior research paper will be selected in consultation with the professor. The research paper is to be at least 2,500 words in length. A bibliography of 10 to 15 sources is required with three to five French sources.
How will it be assessed?
The comprehensive assessment will lead to a pass/fail grade based on the attainment of the elements of the graduate profile in the IA course. You must complete all required IA course work in order to pass the comprehensive assessment. Incomplete course work will result in no grade for the final paper, and thus a failing grade for both the IA course and the comprehensive assessment.
YOUR FUTURE
Your studies can lead to a wide range of careers, such as those below. Be sure to check university pre-requisites, since they vary. St. Lawrence students can see the Guidance Counsellor to discuss these options further.
- Business Administration
- Commerce
- Communications and Journalism
- Counselling
- Criminology
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- History
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Relations
- International Business
- International Relations
- Law
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Tourism
- Urban Studies
APPLYING
You must satisfy the college general admission requirements. If you choose the Commerce Profile (400.AC) or the Mathematics Profile (400.AM), you must have the following pre-requisite: TS 5 or SN 5.
View all programs
- Arts, Literature and Communication (ALC) Program
- Science Program
- Social Science Program
- P.W. Sims Business Program
- Tourism Program
- Double DEC in Science + Social Science
- Double DEC in Science + Arts, Literature and Communication
- Double DEC in Social Science + Arts, Literature and Communication
- DEC Pathway