1. The Department of Social Sciences
We use the tools of multiple disciplines—anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology—to inform efforts to address complex problems.
We pride ourselves on helping students apply academic concepts to real-world issues.
3/4/18

2. We examine the past
There is a lot to learn from past practices and choices if you know where to look and how to interpret evidence:
BS in Anthropology
BA in History
MS/PhD in Industrial Heritage & Archaeology
3/4/18

3. We study societal choices and practices
Understanding the social context in which choices and interactions between people, technologies, and the environment are embedded is important in any effort to reach sustainable solutions.
BS in Law & Society
BS in Sustainability Science & Society
MS/PhD in Environmental & Energy Policy
3/4/18

4. We prepare students for the future
Our faculty inspire students from all majors and departments through Michigan Tech’s general education program by offering courses in anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology.
Critical thinking
Ethical reasoning
Information literacy
Global literacy
3/4/18

5. Our faculty are active researchers
We provide data that inform policies and decisions involving industrial heritage and environmental and energy policy, which are the focus areas of our two graduate programs. Recent areas of funded research:
U.S. Park Service: Pullman National Monument: an archaeological assessment
U.S. NEH: Keweenaw Time Traveler (A GIS analysis tool)
U.S. Dept of Agriculture: The archaeology of an Upper Peninsula logging camp
Keweenaw National Park: History of Quincy Smelter and Torch Lake
NSF: Sustainability, Ecosystem Services, and Bioenergy Development
NSF: Governance of Boundary Crossing Chemicals Responsible for Fish Advisories
NSF: Historical and Spatial Analysis of the Migration of Iron-Mining Contaminants
NSF: Sustainable Forest-Based Biofuels Pathways
NSF: Climate change mitigation by reducing household food, water, and energy
Great Lakes Fishery Commission: Angler demographics (an cohort analysis)
3/4/18

6. Giving Opportunities Students Research Labs and Facilities 3/4/18
Provide support an undergraduate or graduate interested in the human and policy side of technology
Research
Support efforts to conduct research that informs industrial heritage or environmental & energy policy decisions.
Help us host workshops to explore issues involving the societal and policy aspects of technological choices (and expose other social scientists to Michigan Tech)
Labs and Facilities
Industrial archaeology lab equipment
Renovation of the department’s reception area in the historic Academic Office Building
Policy lab support
3/4/18

7. Contact Hugh S. Gorman hsgorman@mtu.edu Professor and Chair
Department of Social Sciences
Michigan Technological University