Social Sciences (SOSC)

SOSC 221 - PROFESSIONAL EXCELENCE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES MAJORS

Short Title: PROF EXCELLENCE FOR SS MAJORS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: Guided professional internship course for social sciences majors. Instructor Permission Required.

SOSC 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Lecture/Laboratory, Seminar, Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1-4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 250 - THINKING DIFFERENTLY: NEW APPROACHES TO IDEAS, PEOPLE, SOLUTIONS AND PROBLEMS

Short Title: THINKING DIFFERENTLY

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: This class meets select Wednesdays from 4-5 PM followed by small group discussion. The class explores changes in the economy and information technology that give rise to questions about the future of ideas, work and careers, identity and relationships, and solutions and problems. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 300 - BAKER INSTITUTE INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY

Short Title: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Taught by Baker Institute Fellow, this course is designed to introduce students to the field of public policy as well as to important policy issues. Topic areas include the Middle East, China, Mexico, energy security, environmental challenges, globalization, health policy, tax policy, and Texas and Houston politics.

SOSC 301 - POLICY ANALYSIS

Short Title: POLICY ANALYSIS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Prerequisite(s): (SOSC 302 or STAT 310 or STAT 315 or ECON 209) and SOPA 309

Description: Familiarizes students with the analytical tools necessary for evaluating and analyzing public policies. Cross-list: POLI 338. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for SOSC 301 if student has credit for POST 338.

SOSC 302 - QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Short Title: SOCIAL SCIENCES STATISTICS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Introduction to quantitative methods and analysis that emphasizes the practical use of statistics to address research questions in the social sciences. Includes univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis in correlational and experimental designs. Students must also enroll in one of three separate lab sections: political science (POLI 102), psychology (PSYC 102), or sociology (SOCI 102).

SOSC 303 - QUALITATIVE METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Short Title: QUALITATIVE METHODS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: This course presents a series of questions surrounding qualitative methods and ethnographic research in the social sciences, centering on three essential research components: design, data collect, and analysis. Students will engage with qualitative methods of inquiry through a hands-on approach to collecting and analyzing data. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 322 - GATEWAY STUDY OF LEADERSHIP I

Short Title: GATEWAY STUDY OF LEADERSHIP I

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Research

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: The Gateway Study of Leadership is a student-led research cohort based in the School of Social Sciences that focuses on leadership and power dynamics within academia as well as common themes in the professional development of faculty members. Students enrolled in the program will perform qualitative research through conducting and transcribing interviews with faculty members. Students will also develop their own leadership skills by attending breakfasts and lunches with prominent leaders in the Rice community and participating in retreats and workshops. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 323 - GATEWAY STUDY OF LEADERSHIP II

Short Title: GATEWAY OF LEADERSHIP II

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Research

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Continuation of the Gateway of Leadership from the fall semester. Students will continue to develop their own leadership skills by attending breakfasts and lunches with prominent leaders in the Rice community. After having conducted and transcribed interviews in the fall, students will code these interviews for common themes. Compiled research will be published as the "Turning Points" booklet series by the School of Social Sciences. Students will further produce a research paper and a poster to be presented the rice Undergraduate Research Symposium. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 330 - HEALTH CARE REFORM IN THE 50 STATES

Short Title: HEALTH CARE REFORM IN U.S.

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Examination of those states that have undertaken comprehensive health system reform, have carried out more limited revisions, or have failed to even begin the process, assessing successes and failures. Includes general theories of state-federal relationships and the role of the federal government in state health reform.

SOSC 364 - INNOVATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Short Title: INNOVATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: This course provides students with an introduction to contemporary concepts, debates, and contexts essential for analyzing and participating in the realm of social impact. Our focus is on addressing issues within social spheres and exploring innovative approaches for organizations to tackle them. The course is structured into four main components: understanding the social context, exploring different organizational forms and collaborations, examining the various roles of business, and delving into methods for measuring social impact. Additionally, we introduce field methodologies to facilitate practical application. Building upon this framework, students will engage in a field project collaborating with an organization to address a social issue prevalent in Houston, specifically focusing on food insecurity. Through this project, students will assess the effectiveness of the organization's social innovation efforts.

SOSC 405 - LAW PRACTICUM

Short Title: LAW PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Students will participate in a semester-long "practicum" with a sitting judge (federal, or Texas appellate) in Houston. This program is designed to give select Rice undergraduates a broad and practical introduction to what lawyers do in court and how judges and the law clerks who work with them think about the questions they are asked to resolve. Instructor Permission Required. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for SOSC 405 if student has credit for PLST 401. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 406 - JUDICIAL PRACTICUM

Short Title: JUDICIAL PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Students will participate in a semester-long “practicum” with a sitting judge (federal, or Texas appellate) in Houston. This program is designed to give select Rice undergraduates a broad and practical introduction to what lawyers do in court and how judges and the law clerks who work with them think about the questions they are asked to resolve. Instructor Permission Required. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for SOSC 406 if student has credit for PLST 402.

SOSC 423 - FALL MEDICAL RESEARCH INTERNSHIP

Short Title: FALL MEDICAL RESEARCH INTERN

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 1-3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Internship with a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) centering on a medical research topic involving the Social Sciences. Student-interns will spend up to 10 hours/week at BCM and will be required to submit a written report, evaluations and an example of research products (research posters, abstracts, paper drafts, manuscripts, etc.) both to their supervisor and the Office of the Dean of Social Sciences. Enrollment is limited to Rice undergraduate students who have declared a major within the School of Social Sciences and have been approved for participation in the internship partnership between Rice and BCM. Written approval of the research supervisor and the Dean of Undergraduates must be received by the Office of the Dean of Social Sciences at least 2 weeks prior to the start of classes. Instructor Permission Required.

SOSC 424 - SPRING MEDICAL RESEARCH INTERNSHIP

Short Title: SPRING MEDICAL RESEARCH INTERN

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 1-3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

SOSC 444 - CONSULTING PRACTICUM

Short Title: CONSULTING PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Students in the Consulting Practicum learn the elements of problem solving in the business environment. Project teams interact with businesses or non-profit organizations seeking creative solutions to challenges they face. The course offers experiential learning on all project phases from investigation and analysis through presentation of recommendations designed to meet real-world needs. Department Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 445 - FINANCE AND BANKING PRACTICUM

Short Title: FINANCE PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: This course is designed to give interested students first-hand knowledge of the banking and financial services industry and its role in the global economy. Topics include business analysis, credit analysis, risk management, investment banking, commercial real estate and private equity and venture capital. Additionally students will explore the tools and techniques used by the financial industry such as Excel, Bloomberg, MATLAB, and SQL. The course comprises both classroom meetings and a 10-hour per week on-site experience, including opportunities to shadow key stakeholders. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

SOSC 446 - COMMUNITY HEALTH PRACTICUM

Short Title: COMMUNITY HEALTH PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: There is little doubt that the healthcare industry is a major driving force of the American economy. The healthcare industry represents a staggering 18.3% of gross domestic product, with little signs of abating in the future. With this growth comes a plethora of new opportunities for professionals seeking to make a positive difference in their communities. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health industry will add approximately 1.8 million jobs annually through 2032. Openings are projected to outpace the average job growth across most American industries, underscoring the need for more individuals to consider a future career in health. Indeed, this growth is expected to touch upon nearly all sectors of the healthcare market, giving individuals a wide array of potential options for employment. This practicum class will provide students with perspectives that bridge current research with practical healthcare work experience. It will provide an overview of some of the challenges healthcare leaders face navigating the current industry. The class will expand upon how healthcare work can positively impact a student's community. Students will be encouraged to share their unique viewpoints as they work with healthcare professionals throughout the semester. They will also shape their future goals as they consider joining a healthcare-related business, government agency, or nonprofit organization. Further, students will be asked to share ideas on expanding healthcare access to cover more individuals. Students will also be asked to apply academic course materials to the knowledge gained through their practicum placement.

SOSC 447 - PUBLIC SERVICE PRACTICUM

Short Title: PUBLIC SERVICE PRACTICUM

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Students enrolled in this course will each engage in a unique public service internship in either government or the private, non-profit sector. As the students participate in public service, they will be part of a class that shares learning experiences. They will also study the meaning of public service through readings and presentations by individuals with experience in public service of varying types. Department Permission Required.

SOSC 464 - SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Short Title: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: This course introduces students to contemporary concepts, debates, and contexts necessary for analyzing and engaging in the sphere of social entrepreneurship. The course has four distinct parts: social context; organizational forms and collaborations; private sector roles; and measurement and impacts. Various aspects of social entrepreneurship, such as base of the pyramid/microenterprises, private-public partnerships, private-governmental partnerships, voluntary social codes, corporate social responsibility, and ethical consumerism will be covered. From this foundation, students will undertake a social entrepreneurship project about a contemporary social problem in Houston: food insecurity and food deserts. Cross-list: BUSI 464, GLHT 464.

SOSC 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS

Department: Social Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Lecture, Laboratory, Seminar

Credit Hours: 1-4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.