Admission
History & Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, political science, sociology, American studies, international and comparative policy studies
The departments within the division of history and social sciences share a common concern with human social behavior, although each has a distinctive perspective and methodology. At the core of the division’s curriculum is the belief that an informed awareness—of how societies have developed, how their institutions and mechanisms function, and how different societies interact—is essential in an increasingly complex world. By the time students graduate, they are able to critically assess and interpret social phenomena and solve real-world social problems.
The
division implements these principals through a highly integrated program that requires students who
major in the division to take considerable coursework outside their major. Students are thus exposed
to a variety of approaches to the study of human society; they also learn to apply methodologies and
tools from the different disciplines to pose and answer questions. They develop a strong collegial
relationship with the faculty, and faculty members from departments outside the major field frequently
provide consultation as the student develops a thesis topic.
In addition to the five departmental majors, interdisciplinary majors are established in linguistics, American studies, international and comparative policy studies, history–literature, and mathematics–economics. Students may also design their own interdisciplinary major, such as political science-philosophy or history-theatre. The programs of study are further enhanced by opportunities for study away from Reed, both within the U.S. and in many other countries.
Notable Alumni
- Eric Westervelt ’91, American studies: international correspondent, National Public Radio
- Gary Snyder ’51, anthropology: one of America’s most distinguished poets, winner of 1975
Pulitzer Prize in poetry, fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, associate of Jack
Kerouac and other Beat writers
- Govindan Nair ’83, economics: vice president for financial and private sector development,
the World Bank, working in telecommunications reform and information technology in developing countries
- Dale Jorgenson ’55, economics: one of the most distinguished economists in the U.S., director
of the program on technology and economic policy at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
- Ron Herndon ’70, history: director, Albina Ministerial Alliances, human rights activist, president
of the national Head Start Association, chair of Portland's Black United Front
- Susan Strasser ’69, history: author of books on the history of American consumption, professor
of history at the University of Delaware
- Janet Fitch ’78, history: best-selling author of White Oleander, now a major film
- Richard Danzig ’65, political science: former secretary of the U.S. Navy, Rhodes Scholar,
attorney
- Susan Brody ’71, political science: executive director of the Oregon Dispute Resolutions Commission,
fellow of the American Leadership Forum
- Karen Oppenheim Mason ’64, sociology: director of gender and development, World Bank, Washington, D.C.
