SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS

PREPARING FOR ROLES AS INFORMED CITIZENS AND LEADERS

SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS

PREPARING FOR ROLES AS INFORMED CITIZENS AND LEADERS

In the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, known on campus as SSHA, you will explore the current and historical dimensions of human existence, from the concepts of citizenship and community, to artistic and literary expression, diverse global and local institutions and cultures, the acquisition and the functions of language, the nature of the mind, the principles of economics and management, and the improvement of public health. Learning experiences tend to include quantitative and qualitative research activities, creative collaborations, and writing-intensive projects which is part of communicating your ideas in convincing ways and engaging in thoughtful discussions. This means that the fields of study in SSHA will help you understand the world and our place in it.

SCHOOL OF social sciences, humanities and arts

Majors

  • Anthropology, B.A.
  • Cognitive Science, B.A., B.S.
  • Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.
  • Economics, B.A., B.S. Emphases for Economics, B.S.: - Economic Analysis and Policy - Quantitative Economics
  • English, B.A.
  • Global Arts Studies Program, B.A. Optional Emphases: - Performance Studies - Visual Studies
  • History, B.A.
  • Management and Business Economics, B.S.
  • Philosophy, B.A.
  • Political Science, B.A
  • Psychology, B.A.
  • Public Health, B.A.
  • Sociology, B.A.
  • Spanish, B.A.
  • Undeclared School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

World Languages

UC Merced offers four world languages for students: Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish. All lower-division courses strive to promote cultural awareness of the countries and communities where the languages are spoken.

The Merritt Writing Program

The Merritt Writing Program offers an array of courses in which students explore the art of critical thinking, craft their written expression, and address a variety of issues and audiences. Students learn to use language actively, inventively, and responsibly by exchanging their work at all stages of their writing process while building cumulative portfolios.

Center for the Humanities

The UC Merced Center for the Humanities is committed to stimulating individual and collaborative research and scholarly work in the humanities, arts and social sciences through a wide array of forums, from lectures and seminars to exhibits and films.

Undergraduate Research in the Humanities (UROC-H)

The goal of the UROC-H program is to engage promising undergraduate students each year in faculty-mentored research and prepare them for advanced education in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. As a student, you will benefit from:

  • Mentorship by a professor and graduate student
  • Funding, including a research stipend, and money for conference travel and research activities
  • Graduate school preparation and career coaching
  • Participation in UROC’s 9-week Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI)

FACULTY PROFILE

Maria Martin, Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Michigan State University

Professor Maria Martin, a native of Cleveland, holds a Ph.D. in African American and African studies with a concentration in history and women’s studies. Her research interests include African women and gender, the 20th-century intellectual history of African woman, inductive development of Black feminist theory, African nationalism and transnational Black experiences. She has both taught gender studies and conducted research in Nigeria, using oral histories and archives to help build an intellectual history of Nigerian women’s activism in the nationalist movement. Dr. Martin is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Scholarship alumna, has won several Fulbright Scholar Awards, and received an honorable mention from the Ford Foundation for her research. She also mentored with a nonprofit organization that serves young girls from the inner city of Detroit for six years.

PAST INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • Ca. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Cedars Sinai Medical Center
  • Health Career Connections
  • JPMorgan Chase and Co.
  • Modern Woodsman
  • Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
  • PayPal Holdings Inc.
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • Stanford Office of Technical Licensing (OTL)
  • UC Internship programs (i.e. UCDC, UCCS, and research in SURF and UROC)
  • Student Success Internship Program

STUDENT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

  • Alpha Kappa Psi
  • Anthropology Society
  • Bobcat Model United Nations
  • Business Society
  • Cognitive Science Student Association
  • Delta Sigma Pi
  • Economics Club
  • Marketing Club
  • Merced Pre-Law Society
  • Microfinance Project Student Association
  • Phi Alpha Delta
  • Pi Sigma Alpha
  • Public Health Society
  • SSHA Frontline
  • The Prodigy News

School Of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Information Session

In this School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) information webinar, you'll hear from our Dean and meet the dedicated staff who support SSHA students. Learn just a few of the reasons SSHA degrees are popular and interesting. We'll also share new highlights about SSHA majors, internships, research opportunities, special projects, student clubs, career support and graduate school opportunities.