Department of Social Sciences

Jeffrey Jackson, PhD, Chair
N1009, 713-221-8014

Faculty

Professors:	Alvarez, Anderson, Getz, Henney, Thacker-Kumar, Ryden.
Associate Professors:	Allen, Babb, Bachman, Branham, Caro, Case, Crone Chadha, DeFreitas, Eliassen, Elkholy, Li, Gillette, Jackson, Johnson, Kaftan, Kane, Linantud, Mobasher, Pavelich, Preuss, Rubinson, Spiller, Stewart, Westfall, Williams.
Assistant Professors:	Bielakowski, Cho, Coleman, Raymundo, Rufino, Salinas, Turner.
Lecturers:	Capuozzo, Colón, Chism, Hughes, Lopez, Wilson
Emeriti:	Christian, Fairbanks, McCaffrey

Academic Areas

anthropology
health and behavioral science
history
philosophy
political science
psychology
sociology
nonprofit management

Mission and Objectives

The Department of Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary department. The faculty teach courses and conduct research in seven academic areas: anthropology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. In addition to classes in these disciplines, we offer interdisciplinary classes in the social sciences. Currently, seven undergraduate degrees may be taken in our department: History (BA), Philosophy (BA), Political Science (BS), Psychology (BS), Sociology (BS), Social Sciences (BA or BS). We also offer a Master of Arts in Non-Profit Management. Please come visit us, or call, and talk with us about your interests and plans.

The department’s educational philosophy is holistic, emphasizing the importance of educational and professional growth both inside and outside of the classroom. Our degree programs prepare students in a number of ways: students are provided with job skills relevant to their career aspirations, a readiness for graduate or professional school, and a strong, broad-based background in the liberal arts which is important in the ever-changing social and economic environment.

The essential components of the department’s mission are community-based research and public service, and these also constitute integral parts of the department’s educational program. All of the department’s degree programs are designed to develop skills in research and analysis. Students are also encouraged to engage in internships, volunteer service activities, and other degree-related work experiences.

The study and practice of the social sciences provide the means for students to unify their learning, since the social sciences, in attempting to understand human individuals and institutions, employ both the methodologies of the linguistically-oriented humanistic disciplines and the empirically-based natural sciences. Thus our unique contribution to the intellectual life of the university is to provide the arena in which all viewpoints can meet and exchanged.

Honor Societies

Phi Sigma Tau, Philosophy Honor Society
Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Sciences Honorary Society
Phi Alpha Theta. History Honor Society
Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society

Coorperative ROTC Programs with University of Houston

Army ROTC
Air Force ROTC

Pre-Law Studies

Nancy Lopez, PhD, Advisor
N1019, 713-221-8424
Students interested in pre-law studies, regardless of their major, may contact Dr. Lopez.

Programs

Major

Minor