Social Sciences

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Sociology Faculty, Students Gaining National Recognition

With race, immigration, rising inequality, gender discrimination and collective mobilization grabbing current headlines, the work of the UC Merced sociology unit — always relevant locally — is gaining wider recognition across the country.

New Center, Conference Focus on Mesoamerican Studies

Topics ranging from ethnobotany, public health and feminism to agriculture, urban growth and social movements are among the highlights of the Mesoamerican Studies Center’s upcoming conference at UC Merced.

Critical Race and Ethnic Studies is Campus’s Newest Major

Starting this semester, students in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) will have a new major option: Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES).

Immigration Status Has Health Implications for Young Latinos, Study Shows

Professor Whitney PirtleYoung undocumented Latinos who gain legal status, even on a temporary basis, experience significant positive effects on their psychological well-being, according to a new study published in the journal Social Scie

New Collaboration Focuses on Refugee Stories, Experiences and Humanity

Professors Nigel Hatton and Ma Vang are part of a new initiative to study refugees.Often, when people talk about or study refugees, the focus is on policy, rescue operations or terrorism.

Study: Infants Recognize Surprise in Others Before Age 2

Professor Rose ScottInfants as young as 20 months of age expect adults to display surprise when discovering a false belief, according to a new study from UC Merced Professor Rose Scott.

Cognitive Scientist Earns Early Career Impact Award

Rick DaleUC Merced Professor Rick Dale is a recipient of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences (FABBS) Early Career Impact Award from the