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, 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.
Subjects You Can Study
- Africana Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Business, Organizations and Society
- Cognitive Science
- Data Science
- Earth & Environmental Science
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Government
- History
- International Studies
- Judaic Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Moral Psychology
- Pre-Law (through F&M’s Legal Professions Advising program)
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Science, Technology and Society
- Sociology
- Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
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.
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.
Explore success beyond F&M »See Social Sciences at F&M in Action
December 5, 2024
Student Research Explores Pennsylvania History
Undergraduate research and community-based learning are key components of Reckoning With Lancaster, a curricular project at F&M supported by a Humanities for All Time Grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Students Jessica Kinker ’26 and Hallie Hushion ’25 had a chance to experience both this summer while researching the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
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.