Social sciences

That ’70s showIn a new book, journalist and MIT fellow Christian Caryl recounts the epoch-shaping political, religious and economic upheavals launched in the year 1979.

Dean Fitzgerald announces appointments to SHASS leadership roles

Striking a balance on taxesResearch by PhD student Stefanie Stantcheva touches on taxation, student loans and education incentives.

Melissa Nobles: Taking full account of the pastMIT political science professor examines ways societies confront histories of racial and ethnic injustice

Anthropologist Graham Jones receives the 2013 Edgerton AwardFor exceptional distinction in teaching and research

MIT and Haiti sign agreement to promote Kreyòl-language STEM educationInitiative designed to help Haitians gain technical education.

Burchard Scholars named for 2013Honorees chosen for demonstrating outstanding abilities and academic excellence in humanities, arts or social sciences, as well as in science and engineering

Esther Duflo selected as a 2013 Dan David Prize laureateHonored for research to alleviate poverty through disease prevention

Policy matters in the Middle EastPhD student Brian Haggerty's work becomes part of foreign policy debate on Syria

Q&A with MIT philosopher Sally HaslangerWhat is ‘natural’ and what is ‘social’?

When opportunity meets preparationPolitical science PhD student Laura Chirot examines industrial policy in late developing countries.

What’s the cost and financial value of college?At MIT, experts say evidence shows the payoff from college education remains high.

Duflo, Lander, Lewin to lead spring-semester MITx coursesEdX takes stock of last semester’s MITx courses; data will be used to improve education online and in the classroom.

Why some immigrants get citizenshipStudy: Country of origin a 'massive disadvantage' for some immigrants, regardless of qualifications.

Preserving cultureMIT historian Lerna Ekmekcioglu explores how women preserve Armenian cultural identity.

Hard times in ChicagoMIT anthropologist’s new book recounts the painful aftermath when steel plants suddenly closed in the American heartland.

President Obama announces intent to appoint Esther Duflo to Global Development CouncilMIT development economist nominated for presidential policy council.

American Philosophical Association honors Judith Jarvis ThomsonBestows Quinn Prize for lifelong contributions to philosophy

Q&A: Associate Provost Philip Khoury on foreign policy in the Middle EastThe Ford International Professor of History also talks about how an engineering school benefits the humanities and social science community.

Outsized influenceMIT Philosophy has extraordinary success placing PhD graduates in top tenure-track positions.

Historian Craig Wilder featured in new Ken Burns filmThe head of the MIT History section served as a consultant on the director's latest documentary, “The Central Park Five.”

School within a school: MIT ConcourseA learning community in which MIT freshmen explore the sciences, humanities and social sciences in a small, close-knit community (with a kitchen!)

Study: At most a third of us show a consistent approach to financial riskEmpirically rich new study finds most people alter their risk-management approach depending on the type of financial decision.

Said and Done for November/December 2012Digest of humanities, arts and social sciences

Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political scienceMikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.

Explained: Margin of errorWhen you hear poll results reported with a certain margin of error, that’s only part of the story.

How Jonathan Gruber became ‘Mr. Mandate’An MIT economist’s path to the center of health-care policymaking in Washington.