Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

BACHELOR OF ARTS

On this page: Major Description | Learning Objectives | Degree Planning

A new major in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences is launching Autumn 2025 quarter!
Students interested can begin declaring this new major starting Autumn 2025 quarter.

The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (ISS) major allows students to select from a range of social science course options for a degree program that advances their academic career interests within the social sciences. The social sciences are disciplines concerned with social life and relationships among individuals. Because all human behavior is social, the subject matter of interest to social scientists varies widely and ranges from individual social experiences to political structures, policies and cultural systems. Complex modern problems often require us to use a variety of disciplinary lenses in order to enhance understanding and create cutting-edge solutions. The ISS program at UW Bothell provides an interdisciplinary integration of the social sciences and related fields for students who are interested in a broad educational experience. ISS offers a wide choice of courses, and an opportunity to design a quality program geared toward individual needs and interests. Students choose courses that assist their development of social scientific research methods aimed at enhancing their knowledge production and problem-solving abilities.

Graduating students are prepared to pursue careers or advanced study in a wide variety of fields, such as education, sociology, philosophy, social work, public policy, law, and human resources.

Learning Objectives

The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences curriculum advances the five core IAS learning objectives. Students taking courses and/or majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences will address the following learning objectives:

  1. Understand how social institutions work (e.g., family, criminal justice, religion, media, education, business).
  2. Understand the connections between social institutions and social change.
  3. Identify how social position (e.g., race, sex/gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, nationality, disability) influence individual life outcomes.
  4. Develop and employ evidence-based research strategies.
  5. Develop creative and collaborative approaches for addressing social problems.

Plan your degree

Interested in exploring this major but not ready to commit? Consider taking one of the below courses! Any of these selections will help familiarize you with the academic program and prepare you for advanced coursework in the major.

  • BIS 115 Digital Cultures (SSc)
  • BIS 165 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (SSc, DIV)
  • BIS 167 People’s History of the United States (SSc, DIV)
  • BIS 170 Introduction to Psychology (SSc)
  • BIS 175 Introduction to American Government (SSc)
  • BIS 178 Introduction to Media and Communication (SSc)
  • BIS 180 Introduction to Human Geography (SSc)
  • BIS 181 Introduction to Sociology (SSc, DIV)
  • BIS 183 Introduction to the Middle East (SSc)
  • BIS 193 Introduction to Philosophy (SSc)

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While there are no official prerequisites for this major in the School of IAS. UW Bothell students in good standing can declare a major in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at any time. Once ready to submit a declaration form follow this link to the IAS Major Declaration Form

Ready to apply?

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Degree Requirements

  • 10 credits of Composition Coursework
    • B WRIT 133 or B WRIT 134 or ENGL 131 or equivalent (5 credits)
    • B WRIT 135 or ENGL 141 or equivalent (5 credits)
  • 100 level Social Science Course
    • Choose any 100 level course designated SSc (5 credits)
  • Social Science Core Course (ISS:CORE) *
    • Choose one of the following: BIS 355, BIS 365, BIS 367, BISAES 305, BISAES 367, BISGST 303, BISGWS 301, BISGWS 302, BISMCS 333, BISLEP 301, or BISSTS 307
  • Research Methods Course (ISS:RESEARCH) *
    • Either BIS 312 OR BIS 340
  • Additional Methods Course (ISS:METHODS) *
    • See below for approved list of Methods Courses
  • Social Science Elective Courses
    • 10 credits of 200 level Social Science Courses
      • Choose any 200 level courses designated SSc (10 credits)
    • 30 credits of Upper Division Social Science Courses
      • Choose any 300 or 400 level courses designated SSc (30 credits)

TOTAL = 70 Credits
*Courses must be completed at UW Bothell

School of IAS Requirements & Polices

  • Cumulative GPA Requirement: Major GPA must be at a cumulative of 2.00 or higher
  • Interdisciplinary Practices & Reflection (IPR): The IPR requirement can overlap with 70 credit major coursework or it can be completed through elective credits. Please see the IPR page for course options.
  • Upper Division Credit Policy: Of the credits applying to the major requirements, a minimum of 40 credits must be completed at the Upper Division (300-400) level.

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A. ISS Core Courses (ISS:CORE)

  • BIS 355 Social Theory
  • BIS 365 Institutions and Social Change
  • BIS 367 Ethics and Society
  • BISAES 305 Power, Dissent, and American Culture
  • BISAES 367 Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
  • BISGST 303 History and Globalization
  • BISGWS 301 Critical Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • BISGWS 302 Histories and Movements of Gender and Sexuality
  • BISMCS 333 Media and Communication Studies
    • Prerequisite of any Introduction MCS course (BIS 176, BIS 177, BIS 178, BIS 179 or COM 200)
  • BISLEP 301 Law, Economics, and Public Policy
  • BISSTS 307 Science, Technology, and Society

B. ISS Research Courses (ISS:RESEARCH)

  • BIS 312 Approaches to Social Research
  • BIS 340 Approaches to Cultural Research

C. ISS Methods Courses (ISS:METHODS)

  • BIS 215 Understanding Statistics OR B MATH 215 Statistics for Health Sciences
  • BIS 338 Political Institutions and Processes
  • BIS 348 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • BIS 353 Human Rights in Theory and Practice
  • BIS 394 Comparative Economic Development
  • BIS 405 Environmental Education
  • BIS 410 Topics in Qualitative Inquiry
  • BIS 447 Topics in Quantitative Inquiry
  • BIS 483 Community Organizing
  • BISGST 324 International Political Economy
  • BISGWS 303 Approaches to Feminist Inquiry
  • BISLEP 302 Policy Analysis
  • BHS 300 Principles of Health Research
  • B EDUC 300 Research & Educational Knowledge
  • B EDUC 328/ BIS 328 Diversity, Leadership, & Engagement

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