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Northwestern University

FD-SBS: Social and Behavioral Sciences

NOTE: Students who started taking classes at Northwestern in Spring 2023 or earlier should refer to the Area III: Social and Behavioral Sciences page. The information below pertains to students who start at Northwestern after Spring 2023.

We all exist in a complex web of social relationships. Social phenomena, ranging from the most intimate interpersonal interactions to widespread global political conflicts, influence the quality of our lives in countless ways. Social scientists use qualitative and quantitative methodologies to help us understand how we influence, and are influenced by, societal forces. Courses in this area introduce students to theories, methodological approaches, and empirical research findings pertaining to a full range of the human experience, from the level of the individual to that of familial, cultural, political, and institutional structures. Through study of the social sciences, students develop a deeper understanding of their own behavior as well as the complex problems of modern society.

learning objectives

Courses in the Social and Behavioral Sciences prepare students to meet three of more of the following objectives:

Choosing courses

Review the list of approved courses in social sciences. Each social science department offers one or more introductory survey courses, most of which can be followed by other approved courses that introduce major sub-fields or that provide an in-depth look at more specific areas of study.

NOTE: Students who started taking classes at Northwestern in Spring 2023 or earlier should refer to the Area III: Social and Behavioral Sciences page. The information above pertains to students who start at Northwestern after Spring 2023.

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