Social Science Department

Our Faculty/Staff

Front Row L-R: Cindy Aamlid (Sociology), Dawn Bahn (Administrative Assistant), Laura Mueller-Anderson (Social Work), Lujuana Milton (Social Wrok), Jim Smalley (Social Work), Elizabeth Davis (Social Work), Amber Kinner-Alahakoon (Social Work), Ben Anderson (Psychology)
Second Row L-R: David Sturrock (Political Science), Shawn Carlson (Psychology), Andrew Odubote (Sociology), Laura Koenig (Psychology & Department Chair), Carlie Timm (Social Work), Jim Guerrant (Social Work), Amanda Sieling (Justice Administration), Taleen Nalabandian (Psychology), Nan Askeland (Social Work), Emma Mack (Psychology), Shoua Yang (Political Science), Scott Peterson (Psychology)
Not pictured: Anthony Amato (Geography), Jalonta Jackson-Glasco (Social Work), Phillip Roundtree (Social Work), Shannon Brewers (Social Work), Kenneth Dodson (Social Work), Jason Eden (History), Mike Hofstetter (History), Darren Renville (Indigenous Nations & Dakota Studies), BC Franson (Justice Administration) Anne Heitke (Justice Administration), Molly Simon (Political Science), Christopher McHorney (Political Science), Christine Olson (Psychology), Linda Pesch (Psychology), R. Shane Westfall (Psychology), Benjamin White (Psychology), Sarah Anderson (Psychology), Tami Behnke (Psychology) 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Social Science is to educate students at the undergraduate level in the programs of Anthropology, History, Indigenous Nations and Dakota Studies, Justice Administration, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology. Being a diverse group of disciplines, we believe that it is important to promote both theoretical and practical knowledge in our various fields. Our common focus is the study of people in terms of their individual lives, their history and culture, and the social-structures in which they live. As sciences, we believe that critical thinking and a high regard for evidence are essential for achieving progress in our fields. Finally, we believe that all of our disciplines are grounded in the liberal arts, and that the core skills of reading, thinking, speaking, and writing are the best way of developing knowledgeable and enlightened citizens for our future.

Come visit us!

The Department of Social Science has relocated to the Charter Hall Building (CH). Our main office is on the first floor, in CH 129. Located in the Charter Hall Building are classrooms, faculty offices, the Social Science research computer lab, student study areas, and club rooms. Our Museum of Indigenous Americans will open at a later date in the Science and Math building.

Please contact the Social Science Department with any questions you may have at 507-537-6224 or by email at SocialScience@smsu.edu.