Social Science Topical Major

The Social Sciences division supervises students considering a social science topical major, if they wish to focus their studies in interdisciplinary areas not encompassed by approved majors. Students must first discuss a possible program of study with an appropriate academic adviser, and then provide the division director with the proposed program and a rationale for this program (no later than the student’s fifth term at Colgate).

For more information about the division, honors/high honors, transfer credit, etc., visit the social sciences division page.

Major Requirements

The major must include a minimum of nine courses that closely relate to a common theme and are complementary; a maximum of two of these courses may be counted toward another major. Please note that four of the nine courses must be courses taught by members of the Social Science departments. Equally, four of the courses counted toward the topical major must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students must produce a capstone 400-level research project, preferably as a member of a non-independent study course taught by a member of a Social Science department.

GPA Requirement

An overall GPA of at least 2.0 is required for the courses chosen to meet the major requirements.