Social Sciences Division

"As a political philosopher, I am interested in how concepts like moral equivalence are used in political discussions. Those who use this concept generally do so as a way of asserting that someone is at best deceived – and, at worse, deliberately deceptive – about the moral wrongs done by one side in a conflict," writes Michael Blake, professor of philosophy and of public policy and governance at the UW.

Donald Trump was found guilty, on Thursday, of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex. The historic verdict makes him the first former president to be convicted. Randy Pepple, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

At age 83, Linda Allen is graduating from the UW College of Arts & Sciences with a degree in integrated social sciences. "It's never too late to follow a dream," she says.

Sana Shetty, interested in human rights law, has a more nuanced understanding of potential careers thanks to internships.

Immigration officials corrected his record, but the Tacoma center detainee warned of continued risks to himself and his family back in Micronesia. Angelina Godoy, professor of law, societies, and justice and of international studies, as well as director of the Center for Human Rights at the UW, is quoted.

In a survey conducted six months after San Juan County's 32-hour workweek’s October start date, 83% of employees said it had improved their work-life balance, and 78% their mental health. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

The story of how the USS Turner Joy ended up in middle of one of the defining events of the 20th century, starts deep in the heart of the ship — the Combat Information Center. Christoph Giebel, associate professor of history and of international studies, is quoted.

Fueled by coffee and enthusiasm, Marina Blatt and other communication majors met with multiple alumni during a Career Exploration trip to Washington, DC. 

"In my research as an anthropologist, I’ve focused on the evolution of human walking and running because I love the flexibility people bring to these behaviors. Humans in all kinds of environments across space and time vary how far they go, when they go and what they go for – whether food, water or friends – based on a multitude of factors, including season, daylight, rituals and family," writes Cara Wall-Scheffler, affiliate assistant professor of anthropology at the UW.

"Why is persuasion so hard, even when you have facts on your side? As a philosopher, I’m especially interested in persuasion – not just how to convince someone, but how to do it ethically, without manipulation," writes Colin Marshall, associate professor of philosophy at the UW.

The College of Arts & Sciences celebrates undergraduate and graduate students from across all four divisions, who are recognized for making the most of their time at the UW. 

Do dying patients have a “right to try” illegal drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA if they might alleviate end-of-life suffering from anxiety and depression? Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, clinical assistant professor in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.

A program set to launch in July will enable families affected by housing discrimination to get financial assistance for home purchases. James Gregory, professor and associate chair of history at the UW, is quoted.

Nearly a year after the Hollywood writers' strike started, the entertainment industry remains in flux. Daniel Bessner, assistant professor of international studies at the UW, says TV and film writers are feeling the brunt of the changes.

More than a month after a man died at an immigrant detention center in Tacoma, federal officials released a report, as required by Congress. The report lacked one key detail: a cause of death. The UW's Phil Neff, project coordinator at the Center for Human Rights, and Angelina Godoy, professor of both international studies and law, societies and justice and the director of the Center for Human Rights, are mentioned.