In the Social Sciences Division, we explore how and why people behave the way they do.

As the largest academic division on campus, we are home to over a dozen programs on Hope’s campus: seven departments, four interdisciplinary programs and four programs that serve the larger Holland community.

Our programs offer interesting and relevant courses, outstanding faculty and staff, and excellent preparation for graduate school or work after college.

Our full-time faculty are exceptional classroom teachers, academic advisors and award-winners in their own right who emphasize learning by doing and incorporate a global perspective. In addition to our full-time staff, we have part-time instructors, coaches and staff members who work diligently on behalf of students in addition to supporting and communicating well with one another.

Hope by the Numbers

  • 151Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Projects

    In 2016, we had 151 faculty/student projects and 236 student researchers.

  • 130Faculty publications

    Faculty members from departments across the Social Sciences Division published 130 works in 2016.

  • 90%Students who would select Hope again

    90% of students surveyed would choose Hope College again as their first college of choice.

  • 4792016 social sciences graduates

    In 2016, 479 students graduated with degrees in a social sciences department or program (out of 805 total college-wide).