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Social Science  Graduate Program

Program Curriculum

Core Courses (18 credits)

• SOSC 600 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Global Problems (3)

• SOSC 601 The Geographer's View (3)

• SOSC 602 The Historian's Approach: Comparative Historiography (3)

• SOSC 603 The Economist's Perspective (3)

• SOSC 605 American Politics in the 21st Century (3)

• SOSC 606 Sociological Insights (3)

• SOSC 609 Developmental Human Learning: A Life Span Approach (3)

• WMST 607 Advanced Feminist Theory (3)

Option A: Thesis Track

• 500-700 level courses (Two within tract department) (9 credits)
• 600-700 level courses (Any non-track department) (3 credits)
• SOSC 898/899 Thesis (Within track department) (6 credits)
• Thesis Guideline (pdf)

Option B: Professional Presentation (Non-thesis track)

• 500-700 level courses (Within track department) (12 credits)
• 600-700 level courses (Any non-track department) (6 credits)
• Professional Presentation

Independent Study

• SOSC 797: Research/Reading (pdf)

Final Portfolio

M.S. SOSC candidates are required to submit a professional portfolio in order to ensure that they have mastered program goals.  Due dates for portfolios will correspond with University schedules for Masters’ Comprehensive Examinations: approximately April 1^st for May graduation, July 1^st for August graduation, and November 1 for January graduation.  Exact dates for each year will be printed in a letter from the director and on the M.S. SOSC webpage. Each M.S SOSC candidate will submit his or her portfolio to the Program Director, who will then distribute them to the advisory board members.  It is recommended that students make duplicate portfolios for their own professional use as they are often useful as part of job interviews.

There are two possible grading outcomes for the portfolio: (1) Pass—No revisions necessary; (2) Does not pass; Revisions required.  If the board deems the portfolio acceptable, the portfolio will pass.  If the board deems the portfolio unsatisfactory, the student will be asked to revise and resubmit the portfolio. The student must resubmit the portfolio prior to the deadline for graduation.  If the resubmission does not meet requirements, the student will be considered to have failed the portfolio requirement and will not graduate.

Contents of the Portfolio

1. Table of Contents: The Table of Contents should contain the following headings:

• Up-to-date-Resume or Vita

• Core Courses

• Disciplinary Specialty Courses

• Elective Courses

• Research and Experimentation (When applicable)

• Master’s Thesis Abstract (When applicable)

• Professional Project Abstract (When applicable)

• Essay

2. Written Work and Exams:
   
   The portfolio must contain copies of all graded written assignments and exams submitted by the student in all courses.

3. Researches and Experimentation:  From applicable tracks.

4. Master’s Thesis:
   
   Master’s Thesis Candidates must submit a five-page, typewritten abstract of their Master’s Thesis.  This abstract must be accompanied by a letter from the student’s master’s thesis advisor.

5. Professional Project:
   
   Professional Project Candidates must submit a written copy of their professional presentation, including hardcopy of any electronic components of their presentation. Other relevant material to provide here may include an official program from the conference at which the presentation occurred or a written assessment of the project from the candidate’s project jury.

6. Essay:
   
   The student must write and include in the portfolio a ten-page, typewritten essay describing the student’s intellectual growth as a consequence of completion of his/her course of study.
   
   Essays should be typed in Times, 12-point font and should be double-spaced.  References are not necessary; however, formal conventions for writing should be maintained. Attention to spelling, grammar, sentence structure, etc. is critical.

 Evaluation Criteria For M.S. SOSC Portfolios

1. Each of the listed requirements must be included in the portfolio and each must adhere to all standards described below.

2. Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are expected on all documents.

3. Portfolio materials should be typewritten or word-processed on 81/2X11-inch paper and placed in a hard cover, three-ring binder.  Please do not encase each separate sheet in a sheet protector. The first entry should be the Table of Contents. A labeled tab in its appropriate place in the portfolio should accompany each topic in the Table of Contents.

4. The essay will be evaluated base on attention to quality of writing and consideration of the content of the essay.

The program requires that all students (Options A and B) prepare a final portfolio of their work under the direction of their track adviser.

Option A Thesis: SOSC 898/899

Students selecting the thesis option for six credits will work with an advisor from their chosen disciplinary track.  Thesis topics, research requirements and work schedules will be determined in consultation with the track advisor.  A thesis must be a minimum of thirty pages.  The thesis will be reviewed by the Program Committee upon the recommendation of the student's advisor.

Professional Presentation

Students must deliver a peer-reviewed presentation for a university, local or national conference, organized by their track discipline or give a presentation to an assembly of Towson University faculty and program peers.