Social Sciences

UC Merced Aerial Picture
UC Merced Professors Honored for Work with First-Generation Students
September 24, 2018
UC Merced psychology Professor Anna Song and biology Professor Jennifer Manilay had a special dinner with UC President Janet Napolitano at her Oakland home recently to honor the faculty members for their work on first-generation student... Read More
Multimillion-Dollar Grant Brings Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center to Campus
July 23, 2018
UC Merced has been awarded a $3.8 million grant to establish the UC Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center (NCPC), positioning UC Merced and the San Joaquin Valley region as a leading center for the study of public health and policy matters... Read More
UC Merced Gets Into the ‘Act’
July 9, 2018
Shakespeare wrote “the play’s the thing.” Of course, he was referring to using a play to catch a murderer, but in Shakespeare’s day, people believed the theater had the power to elicit deep emotion — even move the guilty to give themselves... Read More
Drawing Graphic Lessons: Comics Teach, Evaluate Difficult Concepts
June 20, 2018
Though illustrations have been used to convey ideas and information since before language existed, after Benjamin Franklin published the world’s first editorial cartoon in 1754, comics emerged a distinct avenue for visual storytelling. Now... Read More
Engaging with Spiritual Allies Increases Confidence in Conflict, Studies Show
June 18, 2018
A new Pew Research survey shows that one-third of Americans have trust in a higher power or spiritual force, whether they call it “god” or not, and two new studies show that people who think they have that force in their corner feel... Read More
Young Artist Movement Making Room for More Art on Campus
May 29, 2018
Three enterprising Global Arts Studies Program (GASP) students saw the empty UC Merced Art Gallery on campus and, worried the space would be reallocated, wondered why they couldn’t volunteer to run it. So they started the Young Artist... Read More
Alumnae Staff Members Honor Family With Endowed Scholarships
May 23, 2018
In creating scholarships to help future generations of Bobcats succeed, UC Merced staff members and alumnae Monique de Villa (’16) and Danielle Armedilla (’12) are cementing the legacy they are leaving for campus.   De Villa and Armedilla... Read More
Perseverance, Leadership Key Themes of Campus’ Spring Commencement
May 15, 2018
UC Merced’s exuberant spring graduates got the chance to demonstrate their gratitude during the 13th Spring Commencement ceremonies this weekend as many of them paused to thank the faculty members and loved ones who helped them... Read More
New Scholarship Pays Homage to Persistence and Research
May 10, 2018
A generous gift from the grandmother of a UC Merced alumna and current staff member is benefitting two undergraduate students who put the UC Merced Library to good use. Melissa Becerra, a third-year psychology student, and Nathan Parmeter... Read More
Professor’s Fellowship Allows Renewed Focus on Sociology of Race in South Africa
May 3, 2018
Professor Whitney Pirtle recently became the first researcher to win the prestigious Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship while employed at UC Merced — a grant that will help her finish writing a book and move her closer to gaining... Read More