Department of Social Sciences

David Branham, PhD, Chair
N1009-C, 713-221-8208

Faculty

Professors:	Anderson, Branham, Flores, Henney, Thacker-Kumar
Associate Professors:	Babb, Caro, Crone, Chadha, DeFreitas, Eliassen, Johnson, Kaftan, Kane, Li, Linantud, Mobasher, Rubinson, Rufino, Stewart, Williams
Assistant Professors:	Cho, Coleman, Conners, Hughes, Lemke, Parker, Roncancio, Serrano, Turner, A. Wilson
Lecturers:	Capuozzo, Colbert, Colón, Emeka, Raymundo, J. Wilson
Emeriti:	Fairbanks

Academic Areas

anthropology
health and behavioral science
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 five academic areas: anthropology, health and behavioral sciences, nonprofit management, political science, psychology, and sociology. In addition to classes in these disciplines, we offer interdisciplinary classes in the social sciences. Currently, six undergraduate degrees may be taken in our department: Health and Behavioral Science (BS), Political Science (BS), Psychology (BS), Social Sciences (BA or BS) and , Sociology (BS). We also offer a Master of Arts in Nonprofit 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 social sciences.

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 critical thinking, theoretical application, and 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 better understand human behavior, social structures, and institutions through theoretical application and empirically based methodologies. Thus students are provided with an education that allows them to act more productively in social exchanges, critically analyze social situations, improve efficiency in in production environments, have empathy for those unlike themselves, and forecast the complexities of policy and project implementation.

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

Cooperative ROTC Programs with University of Houston

Army ROTC
Air Force ROTC

Programs

Major

Minor