Majors
Social science major
Do you want a balanced experience in the social sciences? Perhaps you’re interested in teaching middle or high school social studies? Then a social science major at Central might be right for you. The major offers the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in several disciplines, including history, economics, political science, sociology and psychology. The social science major provides a solid background for a variety of career options. Graduates have gone on to become social studies teachers, deputy sheriffs and youth leaders.
Faculty
Michael Schrier, director of social science major, associate professor of history, schrierm@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Science teacher, Pella Community Schools, Pella
- Social studies teacher and basketball coach, North Central Community School, Manly, Iowa
- Deputy sheriff, Davis County Sheriff Department, Bloomfield, Iowa
- 9-12 special education teacher, West Des Moines Community Schools, West Des Moines, Iowa
- 9-12 social studies teacher, St. Joseph School District, St. Joseph, Mo.
- High school P.E. teacher, Grinnell High School, Grinnell, Iowa
- Youth leader, Third Reformed Church, Pella
Courses
- Foundations of American nationalism
- The emerging United States
- Origins of modern America
- Recent United States
- Public history seminar
- Early western civilization
- Modern western civilization
- Latin American civilization
- Early east Asian civilization
- Modern east Asian civilization
- African civilization
- Introduction to American politics
- Media and American politics
- Readings in media and American politics
- Citizen politics
- Readings in citizen politics
- Legislative politics
- Readings in legislative politics
- Judicial politics
- Readings in judicial politics
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Principles of microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- General psychology
- Elementary principles of behavior
- Psychology investigations
- Psychopathology
- Social psychology
- Principles of sociology
- The sociological perspective
- Social problems
- Minority groups
- Crime and delinquency
- Sociology of the family
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. A perfect mix of old and new, our buildings reflect our history and our future. Our state-of-the-art facilities include:
- Vermeer Science Center — $20-million renovation and addition completed fall 2003 earned Iowa’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, a silver medal, from the U.S. Green Building Council.
- New apartment-style residence hall opened fall 2003, with new wing completed in 2005, earned Central’s second LEED rating, a gold medal.
- New education and psychology building top open fall 2009.
- Weller Center for Business and International Studies.
- Central Market, Iowa’s most original dining hall with
unique European market place design.
- Geisler Library with 230,000 volumes and worldwide
electronic access.
- Café@Geisler offers espresso, coffee, snacks and
wireless Internet.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has student groups and organizations that you’ll be interested in joining! Social science students might be interested in Central’s:
- History Club
- Sociology and Anthropology Club
- Economics Club
- Culture Club
- Phi Alpha Theta (history)
- Pi Sigma Alpha (political science)
- Mock trial
- Political Science Club
- Prelaw Club
- Psi Chi (psychology)
- Psychology Club
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
