Social Sciences Division

The College of Arts & Sciences welcomes students and their families to connect with faculty and staff, learn about a variety of topics, and explore our spaces throughout Family Weekend.

Conventional history states Christopher Columbus was from Genoa, Italy, but he may have been, in fact, a Sephardic Jew from the eastern Iberian Peninsula, according to a new documentary by Spain’s national broadcaster that also rekindles questions of religious persecution and the treatment of Indigenous communities. Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW, is quoted.

Victor Menaldo, UW professor of political science, co-authored the forthcoming book, "U.S. Innovation Inequality and Trumpism." The book focuses on how former President Donald Trump â like other populists that came before him â exploits âinnovation inequality," or the divide between areas that are more technologically advanced and those that arenât.

James Long, University of Washington professor of political science, launched a new course this quarter. "How to Steal an Election" highlights the types of politicians who try to steal elections, and how and what can be done to secure them.

To navigate this momentous election season, Arts & Sciences faculty suggest 10 books about the US political landscape.

UW students cited abortion, LGBTQ+ rights & gun violence as important issues, but can they be motivated to vote? Students from the UW and James Long, professor of political science at the UW, are quoted.

"Kamala Harris of 2024, in a sharp deviation from Kamala Harris of 2016-20, epitomizes the emerging climate pragmatism," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

"This time of year, aspiring elected officials insist that we must get tough on crime to keep us safe. 'Getting tough' almost always includes imposing more and longer prison sentences. Unfortunately, most of those claims are based on myths, fear, and half-truths. Therefore, voters should insist that calls for increased punishment be replaced by programs that can actually reduce crime, help victims, and increase public safety," writes David Trierweiler. Heather Evans, assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the UW School of Medicine, and Katherine Beckett, professor of sociology and of law, societies and justice at the UW, are mentioned.

While big-name donors and politicians gather and spend millions against the initiative to kill Washington’s fledgling carbon market, the man behind the measure is running a guerrilla campaign to sway voters to his side. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted. James Long, professor of political science at the UW, is mentioned.

This week, attend the Psychology Edwards seminar, check out the First Wednesday Concert Series in the Allen Library, tune into the first lecture of the Democracy in Focus Lecture Series, and more. September 30, 12:00 – 1:20 pm | Psychology Edwards seminar talk with Alex L. White, Ph.D., Columbia University, Kindcaid Hall Can you recognize two...

As students and their professors head back to college classrooms and lecture halls this fall, the elephant in the room is ChatGPT. Katy Pearce, associate professor of communication at the UW, is quoted.

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week. This week, attend gallery exhibitions, and more. As the UW community returns to campus, consider taking advantage of campus perks available to UW employees and students: Free admission to the Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum Discounted tickets to performances by Meany Center,...

A small Ohio city has been dominating headlines this past week, over claims that Haitian migrants have been killing pets and park birds for food. Sophia Jordán Wallace, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Mia Bennett, University of Washington assistant professor of geography, will spend a week this month in Norway as part of the orientation for the Fulbright Arctic IV Initiative. Bennett is one of 20 scholars selected to collaborate on multi-disciplinary research over the next 18 months.

"The Starbucks saga reminds us that we live in an era of heightened climate sensibilities, where corporate reputations are tarnished by small acts of CEO’s perceived climate transgressions," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.