About the Social Sciences at UO
Social sciences provide an analytical approach to society's problems. As a result, faculty and students in the social sciences often focus on issues that are polemic -- racism, international conflict and war, ethnic strife, poverty. The goal, however, is to take an objective, empirical approach to these issues that can generate genuine passion -- not an easy task.
Social scientists strive to rise above the level of the heated dining-room table debate. Instead of saying, "it should" or "they ought" the social scientist asks why, what or how?
As evidence of the relevance of Social Sciences, there are 25% more students enrolled as Social Science majors today than 10 years ago.
Social Sciences includes fourteen departments and programs, with more than 100 faculty members, including seven who have been recognized with Fund for Faculty Excellence Awards over the past two years, three who have been recognized as Knight Professors, and one who has received a Guggeheim Fellowship.
Larry Singell was named Associate Dean of Social Sciences in 2008. As an economist, his research focuses on the role that education plays in labor-market outcomes. Most recently, he has studied the effects of financial aid programs, such as the Pell grant, on access, retention, graduation and institution choice within higher education. Visit Dr. Singell's home page in the Economics Department to learn more about his research.
Social scientists strive to rise above the level of the heated dining-room table debate. Instead of saying, "it should" or "they ought" the social scientist asks why, what or how?
As evidence of the relevance of Social Sciences, there are 25% more students enrolled as Social Science majors today than 10 years ago.
Social Sciences includes fourteen departments and programs, with more than 100 faculty members, including seven who have been recognized with Fund for Faculty Excellence Awards over the past two years, three who have been recognized as Knight Professors, and one who has received a Guggeheim Fellowship.
- Larry Singell, Associate Dean of Social Sciences
Larry Singell was named Associate Dean of Social Sciences in 2008. As an economist, his research focuses on the role that education plays in labor-market outcomes. Most recently, he has studied the effects of financial aid programs, such as the Pell grant, on access, retention, graduation and institution choice within higher education. Visit Dr. Singell's home page in the Economics Department to learn more about his research.