Academics and Research

The School of Social Sciences, housed in both Baker Hall and Sewall Hall, includes the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

Interdisciplinary programs associated with the School include Cognitive Sciences, Managerial Studies and Policy Studies. Students in Cognitive Sciences are engaged in the multidisciplinary study of the mind. Managerial Studies provides an understanding of the environment in which business and other organizations exist, and on the tools used by managers. Policy Studies students learn to analyze and evaluate public policy and gain an understanding of the policy-making process.

The School of Social Sciences also houses four research centers: the Center on Race, Religion and Urban Life (CORRUL), the Shell Center for Sustainability, the Social Sciences Research Institute (SSRI) , and the Urban Research Center . Each center positively affects people’s lives in different ways. CORRUL aspires to understand urban life and improve relationships among the many racial, ethnic, and religious groups that make cities their home. The Shell Center for Sustainability supports the efforts of Rice University's faculty, staff and students to better our planet's environment and economy. The SSRI acts as a think tank to bring together Rice social scientists with social scientists around the globe to work on cutting edge-research. The Urban Research Center of Houston is the permanent home of the Houston Area Survey which tracks Houston area residents’ experiences and perceptions of life in the Houston area.