Social Science Program (Before Fall 2023)

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.

 

 

OUR PROFILES

The following information applies only to those who began this program prior to Fall 2023. If you are beginning or began the program in Fall 2023 or later, please consult the updated course page.

 

St. Lawrence offers five 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.

Discovery Profile (300.A3): Consult Courses

This profile offers the widest variety of Social Science courses and is intended for students who wish to explore their options.

Psychology, Society and Health Profile (300.A4): Consult Courses

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, which are required for admission to psychology programs at Québec universities.

International Profile (300.A5): Consult Courses

This profile's option courses are tailored to students with an interest in pursuing further studies in fields such as international affairs and political science. It also has a third- language requirement.

Commerce Profile (400.A3): Consult Courses

This profile is aimed at students interested in the business world, commerce and economics, and it allows you to obtain the pre-requisites for university studies in business administration. Admission to this profile requires TS 5 or SN 5 secondary school mathematics. 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

Mathematics Profile (400.A4): Consult Courses

Students who wish to explore a variety of social science disciplines while pursuing an interest in mathematics will like the Mathematics Profile. It also increases the number of university programs available to you. Admission to this profile requires TS 5 or SN 5 secondary school mathematics.

 

Social Science Program Details 

Social Science Progression Grid

Program Presentation

All our profiles include the following six courses required by the government as part of the Social Science Program, but their timing depends on the profile (except for the last course):

  • Practical Initiation to Methodology in the Social Sciences (IM)
  • Introduction to Western History
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (QM)
  • Integrative Activity (IA), to be taken in the last semester

For the profiles that do not have a math requirement, the differences in the Social Science concentration courses are shown below. 

  Discovery Profile  Psychology, Society and Health Profile International Profile
First-level courses

Choose three of:
• Differential Calculus
• Intro to Business
• Intro to Geography
• Intro to Politics (or Canadian & Quebec Politics)
• Intro to Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

Choose two of:
• Differential Calculus
• Intro to Business
• Intro to Geography
• Intro to Politics (or Canadian & Qc Politics)

Introduction to Geography

Choose two of:
• Differential Calculus
• Intro to Business
• Intro to Politics (or Canadian & Qc Politics)
• Intro to Sociology

Second-level courses Six options based on pre-requisite courses done in first level The Human Body
Quantitative Methods II
Social Science and Health
One health-oriented option
Two other options
Four international options
Two other options

For the profiles that have a math requirement, the differences in the 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  Mathematics Profile
First-level courses

Differential Calculus
Introduction to Business
Choose one of:
• Intro to Geography
• Intro to Politics (or Canadian & Quebec Politics)
• Intro to Sociology

Differential Calculus
Choose two of:
• Intro to Business
• Intro to Geography
• Intro to Politics (or Canadian & Quebec Politics)
• Intro to Sociology

Second-level courses Integral Calculus
Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry
Microeconomics
Two other options
Integral Calculus
Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry
Three other options
 

To see the options for second-level courses, go to the profile descriptions above and click to consult the courses. 

 

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

  • Analyze and synthesize information about real-life situations by referring to theories, models and schools of thought from relevant Social Science disciplines
    Carry out all the steps of scientific research under supervision and use appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Use the relevant technological tools, including computers, standard peripherals and software
  • Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using appropriate vocabulary from the Social Sciences and referencing formats
  • Understand basic Social Science documents in French
  • Learn and work autonomously, by taking into account one's learning processes and by designing , planning, carrying out and evaluating projects to meet one's goals
  • Work effectively as a member of a group
  • Think critically, creatively and independently
  • Approach issues, including those related to research, with sensitivity to ethical concerns
  • Situate, analyze and understand one's cultural heritage, cultural diversity, and the role of an informed, responsible member of society within a global context

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 and that incorporates at least two disciplinary perspectives. 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. You must do original work. It is forbidden in IA to recycle papers or to use papers prepared for another course.

You may work individually or in small groups of two to four students. For team projects, you will be required to submit a plan for team management and work schedules. Team members are co-responsible for the professional functioning of their team. They will be required to assess and grade the contribution of each team member to the final project. Thus, they will determine whether a group mark or individual marks shall apply. The professor reserves a veto right to impose individual marks for any team that has a student who is “free riding.” In the latter case, out of fairness and respect for the other team members, this student will have a lower final grade than the other team members.

Whether you work individually or in teams, your research paper or contribution to a team paper is to be at least 2,500 words in length. It must be produced using a word-processor and submitted in printed form and electronic form through Turnitin.com. A bibliography of 10 to 15 sources is required with three to five French sources. Three to four sources must be annotated.

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.A3) or the Mathematics Profile (400.A4), you must have the following pre-requisite: TS 5 or SN 5.

Apply for Admission