How F&M Does Social Sciences

Social sciences study the human-made world: how people interact, how we build social institutions and how our lives are affected by larger patterns of inequality and opportunity. Subjects like anthropology, history, sociology, economics, government, and more are part of the social sciences.

Social sciences study the human-made world: how people interact, how we build social institutions and how our lives are affected by larger patterns of inequality and opportunity. Subjects like anthropology, history, sociology, economics, government, public health, public policy, business, organizations and society and more are considered part of the social sciences.

The way we teach the social sciences at F&M shapes minds, builds curiosity, launches careers and has an impact on students for a lifetime.

Working side-by-side with deeply engaged faculty on innovative social research projects — whether it be interviewing urban migrants on a study abroad program in Latin America, discovering long-neglected aspects of Lancaster’s history in local archives, designing a survey on people’s health practices or investigating your own ideas about educational reform, you’ll develop a specialized understanding of societies and the human impact on our world.

Excavation Site by J Rojas '23

Out-of-the-Classroom Learning

When you study social sciences at F&M, you’ll have opportunities to go beyond the classroom and step into the societies you’re studying. You can put what you’ve learned to practice through field study and research opportunities, internships and more. Social sciences students have engaged in research projects in F&M’s home city of Lancaster, as well as Spain, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

Explore experiential learning at F&M

Careers in the Social Sciences

After graduating from F&M, many of our students pursue advanced degrees in a variety of social science disciplines at leading programs around the world. Other students leverage the skills they've gained from the sciences — analyzing, writing, collaborating with others, and critical thought among others — and find success in careers in business, healthcare, medicine, social work, law, government, international relations, education and more.

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See Social Sciences at F&M in Action

November 22, 2024

Professor to Study How Cities Are Reshaping Democracy

Franklin & Marshall's Stephanie McNulty is receiving $200,000, part of a $1.4 million award, shared across four continents by 25 researchers.

November 15, 2024

Students Promote Civic Engagement Through F&M Votes

F&M Votes, a nonpartisan coalition of students, faculty, and staff, spent the months leading up to the election engaged in voter registration, education, and motivation activities. The organization's student co-chairs share their experience and talk about what's next.

November 8, 2024

Anthropology Major Pursues Passion for Nonprofit Work

For Jonah Fisher ’26, an internship with a local nonprofit led to a job where he is already practicing the skills from his Franklin & Marshall classes. Fisher completed an internship with Homefields, a nonprofit in Millersville, Pa., that engages people with disabilities or other barriers to traditional employment in growing organic produce at their Care Farm.