Which Majors, Minors, and Concentrations Are Listed on the UO Social Sciences Site?

Updated

The University of Oregon Social Sciences site (socialsciences.uoregon.edu) lists more than two dozen fields, from core disciplines such as anthropology, economics, political science, sociology, geography, and history to interdisciplinary programs including environmental studies, global health, Black Studies, and Latinx Studies. The site presents these as majors, minors, concentrations, and academic programs, and directs visitors to explore them alongside College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) graduate programs.

Core Social Science Disciplines

These are the traditional departments most visitors will recognize first:

  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Criminology
  • General Social Sciences

Interdisciplinary and Thematic Programs

The site groups a large set of cross-cutting fields that combine social science methods with area, identity, environmental, or health topics:

Category Programs listed
Area and regional studies African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East and North Africa Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies
Identity and ethnic studies Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, Latinx Studies, Queer Studies, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Environment and food Climate Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Food Studies
Health and global issues Global Health, Global Studies, Global Service
Data and applied methods Spatial Data Science and Technology, Forensic Anthropology
Commerce and society Commerce and Society

How the Site Frames These Programs

The page describes social sciences as "an analytical approach to society's problems," with faculty and students focusing on complex, intersectional issues such as racism, international conflict and war, climate change, and poverty. It states the goal is to apply an objective and empirical approach and equip future leaders with skills to address world challenges. That framing is useful context: the program list is not just a catalog but is presented as preparation for applied problem-solving.

What Else the Site Points To

  • Graduate study: A link to "Explore CAS Graduate Programs" for visitors looking beyond undergraduate majors and minors.
  • Affiliated centers and institutes: Listed as a separate entry point for research-focused visitors.
  • News and faculty: Sections on "News from Social Sciences" and "World-Class Faculty in the Social Sciences," plus a mention of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.

Practical Notes for Prospective Students

  • The list mixes majors, minors, and concentrations without labeling each one on the page, so confirm the specific credential type (major vs. minor vs. concentration) on the individual program page before applying.
  • Several entries overlap in subject matter—for example, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies, or Global Studies and Global Service—so compare requirements rather than choosing by title alone.
  • The site does not publish admissions requirements, tuition, or application deadlines in the material reviewed here; check the relevant department or CAS page for those details.

If your goal is simply to see the full range of options, the program list above is the complete set named on the site; if your goal is to choose one, start with the category that matches your interest and then verify the credential type and requirements on the linked program page.