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
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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
Career Tour - Tech + Design Edition
8:45 a.m.Oct
16
8:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Creativity and technology can go hand-in-hand! Let's meet some Oregon companies that are innovating across industries (tech, video game design, web/graphic design, UX, government, and more) AND explore Eugene all at the same time. Hop on the bus and let’s go explore!
Students will have the opportunity to tour local companies passionate about creating innovative solutions for complex problems, and helping YOU learn more about all the different types of job functions needed to keep this growing industry booming. They are excited to introduce you to careers and internships at their companies, meet alumni and leaders, and show off some of their innovations in action. This event is FREE, open to all majors, faculty/staff, and bring a friend. Register on Handshake to save your spot and get updates. Our last tour had a waitlist, so sign up today.
OUTLINE OF TOUR:
Meet at Ford Alumni Center Lobby (near Matt Knight Arena Duck Statue) NO LATER THAN 9am. We'll walk over to the bus stop (Agate) to catch the EmX to downtown Eugene. All our sites are within walking distance of one another, so be prepared to get some exercise. While at the stops, you'll get an opportunity to tour their facilities as well as meet with leaders in the field. At 1pm we'll be done with the tour and you can stick around downtown to keep exploring and grab lunch OR a group will be getting on the bus to head back to campus you can join.
ABOUT OUR TOUR STOPS:
Pipeworks Studios Video Game Developers of awesome apps and well-known video games like Madden 24 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Learn about creative careers, project management, and see behind the scenes at one of the coolest workspaces in Eugene.
Avant Assessment builds and delivers ever more effective assessments of real-world proficiency. They’ve expanded their offerings to support all areas of language acquisition with professional learning for world language and dual language educators in addition to Mira, the newly released AI-based language learning app.
Lane County Government Technology Services: featuring Mark Davis for an inside scoop on the Eugene Tech community Open Eugene: community connectors providing access and opportunities to create, collaborate and innovate to solve problems and invest back into the community.
NOTE: make sure you have your free LTD bus pass loaded on your phone https://transportation.uoregon.edu/bus
Questions, email htate@uoregon.edu for more info or if you don't have a Handshake account and want to join us.
Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies: Welcome Event
3:30 p.m.Oct
16
3:30–5:00 p.m.
IRES is back, and we’re kicking things off with our welcome event!
Join your faculty and students from the Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies at our welcome event to kick off the academic year! Meet new people, reconnect with community, and learn what’s happening in IRES.
Light refreshments will be served.
Free and open to all IRES majors and minors.
Job Shadow Day Info Session
4:00 p.m.Oct
19
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Interested in exploring career possibilities? Join us to learn about Job Shadow Day. This unique opportunity connects students with local professionals for a day of workplace observation, career exploration, and networking.
At this info session, you'll learn:
- What Job Shadow Day is and how it works
- How to apply and get matched with a site host
- What to expect during your shadow experience
- Tips for making the most of your day
Whether you're exploring career options, curious about a particular industry, or looking to gain firsthand insight into the world of work, this session will help you take the next step with confidence.
Hosted by: CAS CareerLab Open to: All CAS undergraduates
✨ Spots are limited. Come find out how to apply and get matched!
Cinema Studies Fall Term Coffee Hours
9:30 a.m.Join the Department of Cinema Studies for a cup of coffee or hot apple cider every week on Tuesdays during fall term!
Oct
20
9:30–11:30 a.m.
Join the Department of Cinema Studies for a cup of coffee or hot apple cider every week on Tuesdays during fall term!