Photo of class trip to Europe from Geiman Fellows
Behavioral & Social Sciences

Beyond the Classroom with BASS

Field & Research Experiences in Behavioral & Social Sciences

In Western’s Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department, students take learning beyond the classroom through field-based, research, and travel experiences in the U.S. and abroad. Whether you’re debating at Model UN, studying cultural psychology in Hawaii, or conducting archival research in Colorado, these hands-on opportunities build real-world skills for careers in law, education, government, and more.

Group photo of Model UN students and professor in New York.

Expand Your Education Beyond the Classroom

Each of our opportunities connects classroom learning with real-world challenges, helping you build the analytical, communication, and cultural awareness skills that prepare you for meaningful careers in law, education, public service, and beyond.

Model United Nations

Politics & Government

Western’s Model United Nations program challenges students to think critically about international issues while developing their skills in diplomacy, debate, and research. As delegates, students represent assigned countries and collaborate to propose solutions to pressing global problems.

 

“Model UN is the greatest opportunity Western has to offer for students to engage with high-stakes international issues. It sets a new standard for real-world changemakers.”
— Morgan Milmore (2019 delegate)

GIS Certificate

Geography & Geospatial Science

Students in the GIS Certificate program learn advanced data collection and spatial analysis techniques that are in high demand across industries. Using UAVs (drones) and 3D modeling technology, students design and implement independent projects with real-world applications.

 

“My experience doing the 3D Modelling is why I got my new job.”
— Joe Miller, May 2022, Graduate

Archival Research

History

History students at Western learn to work directly with original archival materials—developing skills in research, analysis, and grant writing. Students have successfully secured funding through Western’s SOURCE grants to conduct independent research across Colorado and beyond.

 

“SOURCE grant funding from Western allowed me to conduct archival research on the 1919 flu pandemic in Gunnison County at the Colorado State Archives. This opportunity made me a stronger graduate school candidate.”
— AJ Strombeck, BA History & BS Biology ’25

Undergraduate Research Conference

Sociology

Each year, Sociology students present their research at the Undergraduate Research Conference, a space designed for undergraduates to share original projects and sharpen their communication skills in a supportive environment.

Cultural Psychology Exploration Program

Psychology

Students in the Cultural Psychology Exploration Program travel to Hawaii to study cross-cultural perspectives on human behavior and community well-being. Through immersive fieldwork and reflective study, participants gain insight into the relationship between culture and psychology while experiencing the islands’ diverse traditions and landscapes.

Applied Learning Through Field and Research Experiences

In Western’s Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department, students apply their learning through hands-on fieldwork, research projects, and travel experiences across the U.S. and abroad. Whether you’re debating at Model United Nations, studying cultural psychology in Hawaii, conducting archival research, or presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference, you’ll gain practical skills and perspectives that prepare you for graduate study and professional success.

Recent Student Experiences

  • Representing Western at Model United Nations in New York and Europe

  • Conducting 3D mapping and drone analysis through the GIS Certificate

  • Researching Colorado’s history through SOURCE-funded archival projects

  • Presenting original research at the Undergraduate Research Conference

  • Exploring cultural psychology through immersive study in Hawaii

See Western's students in the news.

  • Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    War, corruption, hunger, climate change, the struggle for human rights. The next generation of leaders has their work cut out for them. Professor Maria Struble…
    Read More
  • Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Since the summer of 2018, Western Colorado University’s Behavioral and Social Sciences Department has offered psychology students the opportunity to study for seven weeks in…
    Read More
  • Changing the World by Changing Yourself

    Changing the World by Changing Yourself

    Students in Western Colorado University’s Chapter of National Model United Nations (NMUN) returned to the Gunnison Valley from the NMUN conference on April 6th with…
    Read More
  • Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    You never know when a class at Western Colorado University and the involvement in a club can result in the launching of a career. Such…
    Read More
Students debating at Model UN.

See where Western can take you.

The best way to get to know Western—and the global learning opportunities we offer—is to experience them firsthand. Schedule a campus visit, meet with faculty from the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department, and learn how travel courses and study abroad can take your education beyond the classroom.

Plan a Visit