2025-2026 Academic Catalog

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Social Science

Requirements for Admission

General rules for graduate admission, as well as the following apply:

  • evidence of a bachelor's degree
  • an official copy of transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities attended
  • overall GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0
  • a 15-20 page writing sample
  • three letters of recommendation (at least two from academic sources)
  • appropriate undergraduate training or professional background, or experience that provide evidence of ability to pursue the MSS degree
  • a typed statement specifying the goal of advanced study in the social sciences expressed in clear, correct and effective English. Applicants should provide a statement of their background (education and experience) and its relevance to their proposed interdisciplinary graduate work, and why this graduate program is relevant to their interests.
  • standardized test scores are not required, but will be considered if submitted

After meeting all other requirements for admission, applicants may be required to have an interview to discuss their interest in the program and their plans for study. 

Provisional Admission

Applicants may be admitted as provisional-status graduate students if their GPA is low and their complete record indicates a high probability of success.

Non-Degree Students

Potential applicants may take CU Denver graduate-level courses as non-degree students (unclassified student with a bachelor's degree) if they:

  1. wish to strengthen their record in order to demonstrate their potential to successfully complete courses in the program
    -or-
  2. wish to start coursework in the program prior to completing their application, with the understanding that taking courses does not guarantee admission.

Up to 12 semester hours of CU Denver graduate-level work taken as a non-degree student or taken from another university may be accepted by the program once a student has been admitted to the program. For further information on non-degree graduate student status, see the Information for Graduate Students section of this catalog. In the case of CU Denver graduate students transferring to the MSS program, previous coursework may be accepted as appropriate to the MSS plan of study.

International Students

International students must also meet CU Denver requirements for international admission. See the Information for International Students section of this catalog or call 303-315-2230 for further information.

Programs

Faculty

Director:

Omar Swartz, JD, Duke University; PhD, Purdue University

Assistant Professor:

Margaret L. Woodhull, PhD, University of Texas, Austin

Associate Professor, TPT:

Lorna Hutchison, PhD, McGill University

Social Sciences (SSCI) Courses

SSCI 5000 -  19th and 20th Century Continental Philosophy  (3 Credits)  
A seminar on key problems and thinkers in the nineteenth & twentieth century continental philosophical traditions and their contemporary significance. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. PHIL 3002 or PHIL 3022 are strongly recommended preparation for optimal student success. Cross-listed with PHIL 4000/5000 and HUMN 5000. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5025 -  Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Humanities  (3 Credits)  
Exposes the beginning graduate student to exemplary works and methodologies of disciplines oriented to humanities and social sciences, such as philosophy, sociology, history, communication, fine arts, and literature. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 5025. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SSCI 5050 -  Topics in Social Science  (1-3 Credits)  
These topic seminars are concerned with specialized aspects of the social sciences from various theoretical and research perspectives. These courses are interdisciplinary and serve as a forum for discussion of individual projects and theses. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors (NDGR-NHL and NDGR-NLA). Term offered: fall. Repeatable. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 3.
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
SSCI 5100 -  Social Justice Today  (3 Credits)  
This course aims to provide an interdisciplinary basis in social justice. Students will develop interdisciplinary knowledge of the systems that contribute to a number of today’s social disparities. Centering on young adults and children as both activists and a population that merits attention socio-politically and economically, we’ll frame our study with contemporary social justice theory and a practical exploration of some of the most creative and effective justice initiatives of our day. Equity and rights-based questions on diverse communities, social access, disability studies, and the environment form the context of our inquiry into today’s voices on equity and resistance. In a planning-intensive manner, students work on the final project in stages while also cultivating wellness awareness. Cross-listed with IDST 4100, IDST 5100, SJUS 4100, SJUS 5100, HUMN 4100, HUMN 5100, SSCI 4100. Term offered: Fall, Spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SSCI 5101 -  Pragmatism: Classical American Philosophy  (3 Credits)  
The most significant philosophical tradition born in the United States is pragmatism. Examines several of the most important classical works of this tradition, the influence of thinkers who have helped pragmatism, and the contemporary relevance of this tradition. Figures who may be included in this course are: Emerson, Pierce, Royce, James, Dewey, Mead, Rorty. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. An introductory course in philosophy is strongly recommended for optimal success. Cross-listed with PHIL 4101, 5101, HUMN 5101. Term offered: fall. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
SSCI 5242 -  Medicine, Health Care, and Justice: Bioethics  (3 Credits)  
Anyone entering a medical profession must confront tough ethical issues and dilemmas. These often arise suddenly, so practitioners best preparation is to think ahead about what will likely occur. This course introduces students to a variety of cases and philosophical theories useful to healthcare careers. For example, What is “health” and who determines it? Is there a right to health care? How should medical scarcity (vital organs, vaccines, supplies, etc.) be addressed? What duties are owed to patients by healthcare providers, and why? On what grounds may medical treatment be demanded — or refused? The goal of the class is to train students to be nimble and imaginative in how they reason about the difficult cases they will face in their career. Suggested prerequisite one or two previous courses in philosophy, and a minimum grade of C in each course are strongly recommended; if the student lacks this coursework, consult with the professor prior to registration. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4242, PHIL 5242, HUMN 5242. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
SSCI 5251 -  Introduction to Legal Studies  (3 Credits)  
A survey of the United States legal system, including lawmaking powers, jurisdiction, court procedures, professional ethics and major principles of business law, contracts, estates and probate, family law, property and torts. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with SSCI 4251/HUMN 4251/HUMN 5251. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
SSCI 5325 -  First Amendment: Theory and Context  (3 Credits)  
First Amendment jurisprudence including free speech/responsibility, sedition/seditious libel/dissent, prior restraints, time/place/manner restrictions, hate/intimidating speech, defamation, privacy/security tensions, intellectual property/public good, advertising, corporate speech, sexual expression, and public status of religion. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4325, HUMN 5325, SSCI 4325, PSCI 4325 and PSCI 5325. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Spring.
SSCI 5430 -  How to think green: Environmental Ethics  (3 Credits)  
Is it wrong to extinguish a species? What makes cruelty to animals wrong? Do trees have rights? Is the earth a resource we can use any way we want? Is vegetarianism a more ethical way to live — or just another lifestyle choice? As citizens of the world, we are bombarded by such questions. Understanding what is fundamental clarifies thinking and coordinates action. This course introduces ethical theories relevant to problems such as animal and species welfare, deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the sustainability of the planet. By examining multiple perspectives, students gain confidence judging which issues and data are significant and deciding what kind of world we should create with our actions and inactions. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 3430, PHIL 5430 and HUMN 5430. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5530 -  Social Construction of the Self  (3 Credits)  
Investigates theories that address the construction of self and how that construction is constrained by culture, politics, society and historical moment. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5540 -  Law, Diversity and Community in United States History  (3 Credits)  
Engaging extensive primary and secondary source material, course applies an interdisciplinary approach to diversity and conflict that often surrounds the quest for economic, moral and social inclusion in the United States. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 5540. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall.
SSCI 5600 -  Questioning Religious Belief and Practice: Introduction to Philosophy of Religion  (3 Credits)  
Does God exist? Can the existence of God be proved? When is believing on faith acceptable? How or why is there a “problem of evil”? What are the attributes of a "god" and how can they be known, if at all? What is the relation of God to the world we experience? How does morality relate to religious belief and practice? The goal of the course is to broaden and deepen our understanding of key philosophical debates within religious traditions as we study prominent thinkers in the history of philosophy. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 5600, PHIL 4600, PHIL 5600, RLST 4060, and RLST 5060. Term offered: summer. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Summer.
SSCI 5650 -  Reflections on Modernity  (3 Credits)  
Explores modernity as a historical epoch and a theoretical space, looking at the commentaries and reflections of influential 20th century thinkers including Adorno, Arendt, Levinas, Merleau-Ponty, Habermas and Foucault. Examines how the theoretical inclinations of modernity were influenced by politics, art, literature and culture. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 5650 and PHIL 5650. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5770 -  Viewing Empire: The Art of Imperial and Colonial Propaganda  (3 Credits)  
Western empires disseminate political, social, economic & cultural practices through complex interplay of cultural practices. Visual production is a complex site for meaning making within imperialism. Examines how visual discourses operated to create meaning for audiences, through focus on postcolonial critique. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with HUMN 4770, HUMN 5770, IDST 5770, IDST 4770, SSCI 4770, WGST 5770, WGST 4770, SJUS 4770, SJUS 5570. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SSCI 5833 -  Existentialism  (3 Credits)  
Examines one of the most influential movements in recent European thought, beginning with existentialism's 19th century roots, and continuing on to the existentialist philosophers of the 20th century. Figures covered may include Dostoyevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre and de Beauvoir. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 3833, PHIL 5833, and HUMN 5833. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
Typically Offered: Spring.
SSCI 5840 -  Independent Study: SSCI  (1-3 Credits)  
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SSCI 5880 -  Directed Research  (1-6 Credits)  
Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
SSCI 5920 -  Philosophy of Media and Technology  (3 Credits)  
A philosophical examination of interrelationships between contemporary media, technology, and their impacts upon character of contemporary life and values. Topics may include ethics, epistemology, democracy, advertising, media literacy and criticism. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4920, 5920, HUMN 5920. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5933 -  Philosophy of Eros  (3 Credits)  
What does it mean to understand philosophy as an erotic activity? This question will be examined, first by studying Plato's dialogues-such as Lysis, Symposium and Republic-and then by reading texts from Sigmund Freud, Michael Foucault and others. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with PHIL 4933, WGST 4933/5933 and HUMN 5933. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 5939 -  Internship  (1-6 Credits)  
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SSCI 6010 -  Methods and Theories of Feminism and Gender Studies  (3 Credits)  
Provides graduate-level interdisciplinary study in historiography, methodologies and theories of women's, gender and sexuality studies and considers how culture is constructed around these categories. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with WGST 6010 and HUMN 6010. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors
SSCI 6950 -  Master's Thesis  (1-8 Credits)  
Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SSCI 6960 -  Master's Project or Report  (1-6 Credits)  
Research which may be based on field work. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.