RasGuides: *General Education Courses*: Social Science

Social Sciences: Description and Student Learning Outcomes

Social Sciences

Social Science studies human society and behaviors, cause and effect, and limited resources encountered by consumers within a society. In Social Science, students will demonstrate an understanding of human behavior, historical events, cultural and societal differences, consumer behavior, and the inter-workings of an economy. Courses in this category provide students with learning experiences that include analyzing and interpreting data and evaluating society.

Describe human society and behaviors to gain an ecological perspective.

Compare cultural and societal trends to gain an ecological perspective.

Social Sciences

The Rasmussen University Online Library has a lot of different ways for you to find sources for your research. Check out our video series for more information about getting the most out of the online library, including information about:

Beginning a research project can be overwhelming! Consider following these steps to get your research assignment rolling!

Read your assignment thoroughly; highlight requirements and due dates.
Do some background research; consult your textbook, encyclopedias, or Research Starters database.
Develop a library database search statement:
- Brain storm key words that describe your topic or the concepts you are researching
- Watch this short video to learn how to write your search statement
- Perform a search in Discovery or a subject specific database (click on the Articles tab above for recommended databases)
- Refine your search results and select articles for your research assignment.
Take notes as you read through the resources you have selected.
Record the bibliographic information for resources selected to use when creating APA references.

Library Databases: Social Sciences

Start your search for articles using the library databases linked below:

Academic Search Complete via EBSCO This link opens in a new window
Articles from all subject areas gathered from more than 11,000 magazines, journals, books and reports. Subjects include astronomy, multicultural studies, humanities, geography, history, law, pharmaceutical sciences, women's studies, and more. Coverage from 1887 to present. Start your research here.
America: History and Life via EBSCO This link opens in a new window
America: History and Life™ with Full Text is the definitive database of literature covering the history and culture of the United States and Canada, from prehistory to the present.
Business Source Complete via EBSCO This link opens in a new window
Articles from scholarly business journals back as far as 1886 with content from all disciplines of business, including marketing, management, accounting, management information systems, production and operations management, finance, and economics.
Discovery All-in-One Search This link opens in a new window
Discovery is an all-in-one search platform. Search most of our academic databases at one time on our familiar, easy-to-use EBSCO platform.
Mergent Intellect This link opens in a new window
Mergent Intellect provides information about businesses, job searches, global corporate businesses, residential and local businesses, industry details, facts and figures, and biographical information of executives. Search by company, people, industry, and new U.S. business.

If you are prompted for a username/password, please use: rascollege / mergent
Mergent Online This link opens in a new window
Information on companies including company financials, profiles, annual reports, 10-Ks, quarterly reports, descriptions, history, property, subsidiaries, and names of officers and directors.
ProQuest (PQ Central +) This link opens in a new window
Business, justice studies, technology and design, and allied health disciplines are all covered in this database of databases! Highlights include access to HOOVERS business content, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.
PsycINFO This link opens in a new window
Over 2,500 journal titles focused on the interdisciplinary aspects of worldwide behavioral and social science research and literature. Includes dissertation abstracts, publications from more than 50 countries, and APA selected, peer-reviewed content.
SocINDEX with Full Text via EBSCO This link opens in a new window
This comprehensive research database contains articles that cover topics from criminology and criminal justice, ethnic, racial, and gender studies, marriage and family, social development, social psychology, social structure, social work, substance abuse and other addictions, violence and more.

eBook Databases: Social Sciences

Access ebooks on your topic by searching the databases linked below:

eBook Central via ProQuest This link opens in a new window
eBook Central via ProQuest is a collection of ebooks selected by Rasmussen University Librarians to aid in research and support course assignments.

When logging in for the first time, you may be prompted to search for your institution. Search for 'Rasmussen' and select it from the list and you will then be routed to the main search page.
eBooks and Academic eBooks via EBSCO This link opens in a new window
24/7 access to eBooks in all program areas.

Selections from our eBook Collection

Economics for the Common Good by Jean Tirole; Keith Tribe; Steven Rendall
ISBN: 9780691175164
Publication Date: 2017-11-14
Globalization and American Popular Culture by Lane Crothers
ISBN: 9781538105313
Publication Date: 2017-11-10
Our Minds, Our Selves by Keith Oatley
ISBN: 9780691175089
Publication Date: 2018-04-10
The Sociologist's Eye by Kai T. Erikson
ISBN: 9780300106671
Publication Date: 2017-08-22
Sociology for Dummies by Jay Gabler
ISBN: 9781119772811
Publication Date: 2021-03-03

Video Databases: Social Sciences

ASP: Health and Society in Video This link opens in a new window
Health and Society in Video explores medical progress in health and wellness issues. Videos are featured in subjects such as health policy, counseling & therapy, nursing, medical imaging, and sports medicine & exercise science.
EdFlicks: Child Care Exchange videos This link opens in a new window
Over 130 videos on Early Childhood Education topics ranging from addressing challenging behaviors to promoting wellness, building enrollment to child assessment, and caring for infants and toddlers to supporting teacher performance.
Films on Demand: Master Academic Package This link opens in a new window
Browse all of the academic videos available in the Films on Demand suite. Browse most popular, recently added, featured producers, and subjects.
Subjects include: sociology, English, technology & society, world languages, earth science, psychology, business & economics, history, counseling & social work, geography, music & dance, archival films & newsreels, political science, engineering, mathematics, nursing, anthropology, art & architecture, criminal justice & law, communication, philosophy & religion, physical science, education, environmental science, health & medicine, area studies, and biology.

Build an APA Tool Kit

Watch APA Quick Start for an overview of the APA citation style
Download a copy of the pre-formatted APA paper template to use for all of your APA assignment.
Print out a copy of the APA Sample Paper to use as a model for you APA assignments.
Use the APA Paper Checklist as you review your paper before submitting for a grade.
Consider making an appointment with an APA tutor for assistance with this citation style.
Create an account in NoodleTools and use it to create your References list.
Consult the APA Guide to find answers to your APA questions, then bookmark it for easy access.

Use Writing Resources for a Polished Paper

Consult the Writing Guide for step-by-step instructions for various types of writing assignments
Develop a thesis statement and create an outline prior to writing your paper.
Create a Grammarly account and upload all written assignments to find grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Submit your paper to the Online Writing Lab for feedback from a professional tutor.
Make an appointment with a Rasmussen tutor to review your written assignment.

Are you having trouble finding high-quality resources for your research project? Are you not feeling confident about using the library databases?

Make a Research Appointment for one-on-one assistance!

Select General Education to view available meeting times.

RasMuse Student Anthology

Find previous issues and submission instructions in the RasMuse Student Anthology Guide.