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Social Sciences

Our social science disciplines apply both quantitative scientific and interpretive humanistic methodologies to study diverse patterns of human behavior, social structures and cultural and social change. Our highly-ranked Social Sciences departments produce research and scholarship that advance their respective fields and the university's goal of knowledge in service of society.

 

In addition, Duke's interpretive social sciences have distinguished themselves internationally with research addressing important global cultural themes related to gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, citizenship/nationality, social exclusion, social inequality, social movements, diaspora, health, religion, and artistic expression, among other factors.

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Majors Offered
20
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Minors Offered
16
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Faculty Members
218

Recent Social Sciences Faculty Publications 

Capitalism and Democracy: Prosperity, Justice, and the Good Society
Capitalism and Democracy: Prosperity, Justice, and the Good Society
Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
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Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make Our Platforms Less Polarizing
Chris Bail
The Paradox of Gender Equality: How American Women's Groups Gained and Lost Their Public Voice, Second Edition
The Paradox of Gender Equality: How American Women's Groups Gained and Lost Their Public Voice, Second Edition
Kristin A. Goss
The Oxford Handbook of Social Networks
The Oxford Handbook of Social Networks
Ryan Light, James Moody
Engaging the Evil Empire: Washington, Moscow, and the Beginning of the End of the Cold War
Engaging the Evil Empire: Washington, Moscow, and the Beginning of the End of the Cold War
Simon Miles
The Hive Queen: A Novel (The Bond Trilogy)
The Hive Queen: A Novel (The Bond Trilogy)
Robin Kirk
Race, Gender, and Political Representation: Toward a More Intersectional Approach
Race, Gender, and Political Representation: Toward a More Intersectional Approach
Beth Reingold, Kerry L. Haynie, Kirsten Widner
Lula and His Politics of Cunning: From Metalworker to President of Brazil
Lula and His Politics of Cunning: From Metalworker to President of Brazil
John D. French
The Obama Portraits
The Obama Portraits
Taína Caragol, Dorothy Moss, Richard Powell, Kim Sajet
A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War
A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War
Samuel Fury Childs Daly
Organizations Evolving
Organizations Evolving
Howard E. Aldrich, Martin Ruef, Stephen Lippmann
From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century
From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century
William A. Darity, A. Kirsten Mullen
Curbing the Court: Why the Public Constrains Judicial Independence
Curbing the Court: Why the Public Constrains Judicial Independence
Christopher D. Johnston, Brandon L. Bartels
Living by the Sword: Weapons and Material Culture in France and Britain, 600–1600
Living by the Sword: Weapons and Material Culture in France and Britain, 600–1600
Kristen Neuschel
Gandhi in the Gallery: The Art of Disobedience
Gandhi in the Gallery: The Art of Disobedience
Sumathi Ramaswamy
See All Selected Books