DIVISION OF
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The social sciences investigate human beings in society, culture, and nature. Across various fields that concentrate on economic, political, and social behavior, social scientists explore questions about how individuals, groups, and entire cultures develop and thrive, navigate conflict, and persevere in the face of profound obstacles. A unique power of social science is to provide solutions to problems—to help make our institutions, communities, and the individuals who inhabit them stronger, healthier, and better equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.
Archaeology. Statistics. Focus groups. Brain imaging. Big data. Forensics. Open science. Survey research. Clinical trials. Archives. Climate modeling.
One division,
endless possibilities.
Departments
Africana Studies
Africana Studies
Engage in the interdisciplinary study of Africa, African Americans, and the African Diaspora around the world.
Anthropology
Geography and Sustainability
Geography and Sustainability
Study people and our environments across the globe and throughout time.
Political Science
Political Science
Address critical societal issues through topics like public health, social justice, international law, and human rights advocacy.
Psychology & Neuroscience
Psychology & Neuroscience
Explore the human mind with programs in psychology and neuroscience.
Sociology
Sociology
Examine everyday social behavior and the structural factors that contribute to social injustices.
“We are social scientists, humanists, biologists, and more. The interdisciplinary breadth of our division is a key strength of our community and one that I take seriously as an interdisciplinary scholar myself.”
Patrick Grzanka
Divisional Dean for Social Sciences
Featured Courses
POLS 371
Terrorism and Political Violence
This course focuses on the causes and consequences of terrorism and political violence. Students will be introduced to theoretical and empirical research on violent political conflict and the role of non-state actors in our world today. Topics will vary, but may include: trends in armed conflict, underlying causes of terrorism and political violence, characteristics of violent non-state actors, strategies of violent non-state actors, the process of radicalization, and efforts to counter violent non-state actors.
PSYC 482
Behavior, Hormones, and the Brain
This special topics course, Behavior, Hormones, and the Brain will focus on the role of hormones in neural function and behavior. A variety of basic topics related to reproduction, sexual differentiation, parental behavior and aggression will be covered.
PSYC 482
Vertebrate Neuroanatomy
This special topics course, Vertebrate Neuroanatomy, will introduce the common features and some evolutionary modifications of vertebrate central nervous system organization by examining the embryological processes. Beyond the early developmental phase, we will focus most closely on mammalian central nervous system organization.
News
- New Social Sciences Faculty for Fall 2025
New faculty members add problem-solving perspectives to the UT social sciences community. New faculty members joining the college’s Division of… Read more: New Social Sciences Faculty for Fall 2025 - Good Research Neighbors: Measuring Innovation in Urban AreasA UT research center team published a new study in npj Complexity that challenges conventional wisdom on how city size… Read more: Good Research Neighbors: Measuring Innovation in Urban Areas
- Vol Impact: 2025 Alumni and Philanthropy Awards
The 2025 Alumni and Philanthropy Awards honor dedicated Vols whose support and service dedication help maintain the College of Arts… Read more: Vol Impact: 2025 Alumni and Philanthropy Awards
Events
