Social Sciences
Explore faculty and student work in economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, and other disciplines shaping our understanding of society.
FAS Overhaul Brings Deep Cuts to Social Sciences, Phillips Brooks House
After a final round of layoffs, University leaders say 165 staff jobs were eliminated across the division.
"Networked" Web Extra: video and Web-exclusive sidebars on network science
Slime mold demonstrates the power of networks, fanning out to solve a maze and construct a railway map. Video and Web-exclusive sidebars to accompany the feature article "Networked."
Honors thesis plumbs meltdown
A Harvard honors thesis on the Wall Street meltdown is a source for an important new book on the subject.
Hausmann and Hidalgo find wealthier economies are also more complex
The most prosperous countries have economies that produce a variety of goods.
Pleasure by Proxy: How Other People’s Experiences Help Predict Happiness
Other people’s experience is a more accurate guide than your own imagination to what you will like.
Torturers think victims expressing pain are guilty
Inflicting pain changes the perceptions of torturers, not necessarily their knowledge.
Harvard Headlines: Derek Bok, Ellen Langer, Lawrence Lessig
A review of Bok's new book, The Politics of Happiness; a profile of positive-psychology pioneer Langer; Lessig's suggestions for reforming Congress
Harvard perspectives on world economic crises
A panel of social scientists dissects past mistakes, and sees daunting fiscal and regulatory challenges ahead for the United States and Europe.
Oscar nominees include film from book by Harvard anthropologist Kimberly Theidon
Kimberly Theidon's book on female victims of Peruvian violence was the basis for The Milk of Sorrow, nominated for best foreign-language film.
Harvard Rallies Help for Haiti with Benefit Concert; Plans Memorial Service
Evidence of Harvard maps in use; updates on the situation on the ground; a benefit concert featuring student performers and a memorial service.
Harvard Center for Geographic Analysis Hosts Haiti Map Portal
The Center for Geographic Analysis has created an online portal and sent up-to-date high-resolution wall maps with a delegation traveling to the earthquake-stricken country.