Social Studies Degrees

Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of aging, a normal process in the human life-span. The rapid development of and expansion Of Programs and services for elderly persons in America, and the anticipated increase in the number of persons living to old age have escalated the demand for professionals trained to work in the field of aging. The Gerontology program prepares graduates for positions in agencies and institutions which administer health and community-based services for the aged, Career opportunities exist in nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, area agencies on aging, nutrition programs, rehabilitation centers, social welfare agencies and other programs. The Gerontology certificate also enhances the knowledge and skills of individuals currently involved in the provisions of services. A certificate in Gerontology requires 15 credits.

Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of aging, a normal process in the human life-span. The rapid development of and expansion Of Programs and services for elderly persons in America, and the anticipated increase in the number of persons living to old age have escalated the demand for professionals trained to work in the field of aging. The Gerontology program prepares graduates for positions in agencies and institutions which administer health and community-based services for the aged, Career opportunities exist in nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, area agencies on aging, nutrition programs, rehabilitation centers, social welfare agencies and other programs. The Gerontology certificate also enhances the knowledge and skills of individuals currently involved in the provisions of services. A certificate in Gerontology requires 15 credits.

Requirements for the Minor in Religious Studies

A minimum of six courses in religious studies, including at least one from each of the following groups: Eastern religions (211, 212); history of Christianity (216, 236, 258, 259); biblical literature (143,144); three religious studies courses at the 300 level or above. The three required 300-level courses may not include courses from other departments or institutions.

Requirements for the Major in Religious Studies

A minimum of 10 courses, to include at least one from each of the following groups: Eastern religions (211, 212); history of Christianity (216, 236, 258, 259); biblical literature (143, 144); three religious studies courses at the 300 level or above; and a senior independent study project. The three required 300-level courses may not include courses from other departments or institutions. The senior independent study project may take one of three forms: a four-credit independent study (491 or 492) with a religious studies faculty sponsor, a two-semester project in the honors program (483, 484) described below, or a Senior Scholars project with one mentor from the religious studies faculty.

The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses that count toward the major.

The Independent Major

The College provides the Independent Major for those students whose academic interests do not match the course requirements of existing majors.

A student may design an independent major and submit a detailed written proposal to the Independent Study Committee. The proposal must be prepared with the aid of one or two advisors who write letters of support and agree to assume responsibility for the duration of the program. The program must include a balance of lower and upper level courses normally totaling one third or more of the total credit hours required for graduation. In many cases, independent majors take their courses from two or more departments. In this case, students are asked to have two advisors, from different departments.

Many independent major proposals include courses taken abroad or in other institutions. In such cases, the applicant should check with Off-Campus Studies to make sure that the proposed program will be approved before submitting the independent major proposal. Approval of the independent major does not imply approval of the off-campus study portion.

An independent major should be a coherent program of study with a specific focus, rather than simply a haphazard choice of courses. The driving principle of a major should be discussed in the written proposal. If the college offers a minor in the subject, the courses required for the minor should be taken as a starting point for a major. To ensure depth, the student is required to engage in a synthesizing research project during the senior year, normally in the form of an independent study.

Independent majors must be approved by the end of a student’s sixth semester at Colby. To streamline the decision process on independent majors, the Independent Study Committee has set the 30th day of each semester as the target date for independent major proposals. Proposals received after that date may have to wait until the next semester to be considered.

Students pursuing independent majors should keep in touch with the committee, which must be notified about any changes in their program; substantial changes, or a change of advisor, must be approved by the committee.

Independent majors may receive a distinction in their major upon graduating if they have an overall GPA of at least 3.5.
Inquiries about independent majors should be directed to Maria Colbert in the Spanish Department ( or x4682). Applications can be downloaded in electronic form.

The Department of Social Sciences provides study and understanding of that branch of science that focuses on the institutions and functioning of people in society. By utilizing empirical and quantitative methods in the study of human beings, the curriculum reflects the technical and scientific nature and the mission of the university.