The departments and centers of the Social Sciences Division study diverse and complex questions about societies and human behavior, including how human communities develop, how they are organized, and how they shape and are shaped by individuals. Social sciences faculty engage in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching and collaborative research to address significant social problems in local, national, and global contexts. In 2014 the UW Social Sciences were ranked as the sixth best in the world by the National Taiwan University Ranking based on academic performance. The division hosts many centers that accelerate teaching and research, but three cross-division research centers provide crucial research support services and methodology instruction to faculty and students across the University of Washington.
Interested in Studying the Social Sciences?

Andrea Woody, Divisional Dean of Social Sciences

Departments
- Department of American Ethnic Studies | Fact Sheet
- Department of American Indian Studies | Fact Sheet
- Department of Anthropology | Fact Sheet
- Department of Communication | Fact Sheet
- Department of Economics | Fact Sheet
- Department of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies | Fact Sheet
- Department of Geography | Fact Sheet
- Department of History | Fact Sheet
- Integrated Social Sciences Online Degree Program
- Jackson School of International Studies | Fact Sheet
- Department of Law, Societies and Justice | Fact Sheet
- Department of Philosophy | Fact Sheet
- Department of Political Science | Fact Sheet
- Department of Sociology | Fact Sheet

Centers & Other Programs
Social Sciences News

Capturing the Sounds of Campus
With "University of Washington Soundscape," ethnomusicology and international studies major Leo Freedman has created an audio experience of the UW campus.

A Netflix Film, Then a UW Degree
Before earning his UW degree in American Indian studies, Devin Sampson-Craig took a break to act in a Netflix film about basketball players on the Navajo Nation reservation.

Meet Our 2025 Graduate Medalists
Meet the four graduating students selected by the College of Arts & Sciences as 2025 Graduate Medalists for their accomplishments.