Program Structure

Students in the BOS major are expected to become excellent strategists, with advanced written and oral communication skills; understanding of social science frameworks, tools and applications; aptitude in quantitative reasoning (e.g., math, statistics); familiarity with technologies on the frontiers of knowledge creation (e.g., computer programming, artificial intelligence); professional competence in the core functions of business; and the capacity to create innovative solutions to complex problems. 

The Business, Organizations and Society major is designed to fulfill the following objectives:

1. Ethical and intellectual moorings. The program will inculcate core values of curiosity, tolerance, creativity, data-driven analysis, and principle-based decision-making. Students should understand multiple perspectives and alternative points of view; be capable of thriving in multicultural settings; be acquainted with the comparative and historical development of modern social and political institutions, and be cognizant of the social impact of business and the ethical implications of their actions. 
   
2. Skill-building. Students in the BOS major are expected to become excellent strategists, with advanced written and oral communication skills; understanding of social science frameworks, tools, and applications; aptitude in quantitative reasoning (e.g., math, statistics); familiarity with technologies on the frontiers of knowledge creation (e.g., computer programming, artificial intelligence); professional competence in the core functions of the business; and the capacity to create innovative solutions to complex problems.
3. Collaboration and cooperation. The curriculum is designed to expose students to the principles of building effective organizations. Students will learn to work constructively in larger aggregates (e.g., teams) as both leaders and followers. Several courses, including the capstone experience, will emphasize collaboration. 
   
4. Connection with Abu Dhabi. The BOS major will produce well-rounded students with specific competencies in business that can contribute to the transformation of the UAE economy from one based on carbon to one based on human capital and innovation. The entrepreneurial component of the major is expected to generate projects with specific applicability to the UAE. 

Foundations of Social Science

Foundations of Social Science (FSS) has four components that focus on (1) intellectual traditions in the social sciences (Social, Political, and Economic Theory — SPET), (2) global development in historical perspective (Social, Political, and Economic History — SPEH), (3) quantitative reasoning and numeracy, and (4) gateway courses into the majors. 

Students come to NYUAD with a great diversity of backgrounds in terms of their grasp of societal and economic development and globalization, with a vision that is often narrowed by regional foci of high school curricula. FSS is designed to broaden and amplify students’ understandings of the world and global processes. Required and elective courses in each of the majors will be able to build on this foundation, thereby fostering intellectual growth.

Beyond their role in the programs, Foundations of Social Science courses are open to all students and will deliver high value to any student curious about the development of societies and social thought; the substance and skills students learn in these courses will be applicable across the liberal arts spectrum. They are designed to foster informed world citizenship.

Social, Political, and Economic History (SPEH)

Every social science major is required to take ONE of the following courses in the SPEH portfolio.

SOCSC-UH 1011 Global Economic, Political and Social Development 
HIST-UH 2010 History and Globalization
CSTS-UH 1021EQ Boundaries
CSTS-UH 1043 The Great Divergence
CSTS-UH 1012 Wealth of Nations
CSTS-UH 1125X Law and Empire
ECON-UH 1112 Introduction to Macroeconomics

Social, Political, and Economic Theory (SPET)

Every social science major is required to take ONE of the following courses in the SPET portfolio.  

SOCSC-UH 1310 Foundations of Modern Social Thought
SOCSC-UH 1311 Introduction to Political Theory
SOCSC-UH 1312 Modern Social Theory in Comparative Perspective
SOCSC-UH 1313 Perspectives on Democracy
PHIL-UH 2614 Political Philosophy
CSTS-UH 1097 Justice
CSTS-UH 1015 Legitimacy

Earn Credit Toward Your Master of Public Administration

NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service offers a dual-degree program that enables NYUAD Social Science students to earn the Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration in less time than it would take to complete the programs separately.

NYUAD students who major in Economics can accelerate progress on the master's degree during their undergraduate studies. How?

• Earn course credits (typically five courses) toward the Wagner MPA.
  
• Choose to get started on 280 hours of field experience required by Wagner.

Interested students usually apply to Wagner during their junior year at NYUAD and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered.