Social Science Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees: A Study of Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and Sociology in General Graduation Requirements. Bulletin, 1959, No. 8

This study is based upon responses to questionnaires sent in December 1956 to chairmen of departments of anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology in a sample of 319 institutions of higher education. The survey just completed provides the first data ever assembled on a large scale of social science requirements for bachelor's degrees. It shows the extent to which institutions of higher education have such requirements and the extent to which anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology each may be taken by the student in satisfaction of them. It then proceeds to a study in depth of the courses most frequently taken by students for this purpose. The data thus assembled can be used by administrators, department heads, and professors for reappraising the role of the social sciences in general curricular requirements, and for re-examining those courses shown to be the only ones to which a majority of students are likely ever to be exposed. Appended are: (1) Cover letter and questionnaire employed; and (2) Tabular Material. (Contains 11 tables and 18 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.]