Social sciences provide an analytical approach to society’s problems. As a result, faculty and students in the social sciences often focus on complex and intersectional issues such as racism, international conflict and war, climate change, and poverty. Through an objective and empirical approach to these issues, the goal is to generate genuine passion and equip future leaders with the skills they need to address the world’s challenges. Explore majors, minors, concentrations, and academic programs in the social sciences.
African Studies
Anthropology
Asian Studies
Black Studies
Climate Studies
Commerce and Society
Criminology
Economics
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
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World-Class Faculty in the Social Sciences
Ashley Cordes
Assistant Professor of Indigenous Media in Environmental Studies and Data Science
Ashely Cordes is an academic expert in Indigenous data sovereignty, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Her research explores how Indigenous communities can leverage technological utilities—such as cryptocurrency and AI—for Tribal economic independence, representational and data sovereignty, and preservation of knowledge systems.
Neil O'Brian
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Neil O’Brian is an academic expert in U.S. politics focusing on public opinion, political parties, and polarization. His recent work has focused on how people’s perceptions of politics and current events affect their political attitudes. He’s recently published the book The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars (University of Chicago Press).
O’Brian is the second UO researcher to receive an Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. O’Brian is using the fellowship to further explore what he calls the “doctor’s project.” The start of this research began when he identified a partisan divide in the trust people have in their physicians; those on the political right expressed less trust in their doctors than those on the left. This is a recent phenomenon, as data showed no difference in trust in one’s doctor until a shift in 2020-21, during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. O’Brian argues the partisan divide over public health measures—such as masking and vaccines—led to less trust in the medicine industry.
Melissa Graboyes
Associate Professor of History, Global Health Program
Melissa Graboyes is a historian of modern Africa and a global health specialist whose research focuses primarily on medicine and science in the East African region.
Graboyes’ current research projects have been supported by major research funds. Her work on the history of malaria elimination on the African continent is funded by a five-year National Science Foundation CAREER award. A three-year collaborative research project on returning research results from social science disciplines to African participants—removing costly barriers to make findings more accessible—is funded with a three-year NSF award. She is also working on global health research at the local Eugene level through her project on aspects of care for people who inject drugs.
As a mentor, Graboyes works with undergraduate students in research groups. She leads the Global Health Research Group, which helps students gain skills and tools for conducting undergraduate research. The group consists of students interested in global health-related topics, as well as students majoring in a STEM field who are interested in ethics, history and the processes of science.
Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages
At the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages, UO students engage with diverse cultures, languages, histories, and lifeways across the world. Students of the social sciences, from Anthropology to Sociology, will broaden and deepen their education in their field by viewing it—and experiencing it—through a global lens. GSL prepares our graduates for life after college with an interdisciplinary curriculum, innovative language teaching, abundant learning opportunities outside the classroom, and paths of study that lead to many options for real-world careers.
Research in the Social Sciences
Research in the social sciences investigates human behavior and the motivations that influence it. Although some of our research occurs in the lab, much of it is conducted out in the field using a variety of methodological approaches, from exploratory to experimental. The results of our research often carry societal-level implications and may point to solutions for addressing local, national, or global challenges.
2024-2025 Sponsored Research in Social Sciences
Between July 2024 and June 2025, researchers in CAS received $83 million to fund 199 research projects, including approximately $6 million for Social Sciences. The research projects, which span divisions and fields of study, represent CAS's commitment to curiosity, discovery, and innovation.
Explore Other Majors and Minors in the College of Arts and Sciences
Meet Our Dean
Welcome to the social sciences division of the College of Arts and Sciences. Within our community, we address some of the world’s problems—big or small—through interdisciplinary research and critical thinking. What drives us is a passion for exploring human behavior and society.
The social sciences provide the necessary foundation for any academic inquiry, from the creative arts to the natural sciences. Inside the classroom, we lead courses that are engaging and thought-provoking, inspiring students to become better citizens of our world and work toward a more inclusive future.
We also believe real-world experience offers some of the most impactful learning opportunities. From internships to study abroad trips that offer new cultural experiences, our students regularly engage in hands-on learning work that reaches across social, disciplinary, and geographic boundaries, allowing them to forge new connections and spark new ideas.
We look forward to changing the world with you.
Bruce McGough
Divisional Associate Dean, Social Sciences
Happening at CAS
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Do you #Love Maps? Join us for map crafts, drinks, and snacks! Make map buttons, fold map beads, or just hang out and craft with folks who #LoveMaps! All materials provided. This event series is open to UO students, staff, and community members.
April 6 through 10 is Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, and we're celebrating the UO's graduate and law students with events, activities, and giveaways. See what's happening below, and check out our Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week webpage for more details.
All Week
- Free professional headshots (hosted by the Division of Graduate Studies)
- Prize wheel for COE graduate students (hosted by the College of Education, HEDCO's Student Academic Services Office)
- Free coffee for SOMD students (hosted by the School of Music and Dance)
Monday, April 6
- 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Free refreshments for all graduate and law students (hosted by the Division of Graduate Studies, Graduate Student Lounge, Susan Campbell Hall 111)
- Noon - 12:45 p.m. Free Pilates-yoga class for graduate students (hosted by PE and Rec, Woodruff Gymnasium, 220 Gerlinger Hall) - Register in advance
Tuesday, April 7
- 8:30 - 10 a.m. Knight Campus and collaborating departments and institutes coffee and treats (hosted by the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Impact, First Floor Forum, Knight Campus Building 2)
- Morning. Coffee and hot chocolate for law students (hosted by the School of Law)
Wednesday, April 8
- Morning. Doughnuts for Ducks for COE graduate students (hosted by the College of Education, HEDCO Courtyard)
- Noon - 12:45 p.m. Free Pilates-yoga class for graduate students (hosted by PE and Rec, Woodruff Gymnasium, 220 Gerlinger Hall) - Register in advance
- Noon - 1:00 p.m. College of Design graduate student showcase and social (hosted by the College of Design, Hayden Gallery)
- 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Free button-making table for all graduate and law students (hosted by the Craft Center and the Division of Graduate Studies, Graduate Student Lounge, Susan Campbell Hall 111)
Thursday, April 9
- 9 - 11 a.m. Free coffee and pastries for all graduate and law students (hosted by the Knight Library, GradSpace, Knight Library 148)
- 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Free button-making table, plant giveaway, and refreshments for all graduate and law students (hosted by the Division of Graduate Studies, Graduate Student Lounge, Susan Campbell Hall 111)
- 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Reception for CAS graduate students (hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences, Tykeson Hall)
Friday, April 10
- UO Summit for Sustainable Organizations. Ten free tickets available for graduate and law students (email summit.so@uoregon.edu to request your free ticket)
- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Free coffee if you wear your UO Ducks gear (hosted by Duck Store, Flagship Campus Location in Eugene)
- Noon - 2:00 p.m. Free rock painting with the Craft Center (hosted by the Craft Center, Erb Memorial Union, Oregon Plaza by the O Desk)
- 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Grad student networking: Like to mingle? Let’s play bingo! (hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, Willamette Hall Atrium) - RSVP by April 6
Saturday, April 11
- UO Summit for Sustainable Organizations. Ten free tickets available for graduate and law students (email summit.so@uoregon.edu to request your free ticket)
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Commencement is on its way, and The Duck Store has what you need to celebrate your achievement. From your cap & gown, stoles of all kinds, graduation announcements to send to family & friends, class rings, diploma frames and more, you'll find everything to get you set for commencement day.
Join us for Grad Fair between April 6–April 8 at the Flagship Campus Duck Store.
1:15–2:45 p.m.
Create an environmental justice map to learn the basics of ArcGIS Online! This two-session workshop covers the basics of manipulating geospatial data, creating maps, and sharing maps in ArcGIS Online, a GIS platform that can be accessed from a web browser. At the first session, you will learn to load data into ArcGIS Online, analyze map data through normalization and classification, and share your completed map. The second session introduces Instant Apps and covers a variety of tips and tricks.
No experience with GIS is assumed. You may choose to bring your personal laptop for this workshop, but desktop computers are available for your use in the classroom.