Social Science Department

Our Faculty/Staff

Bottom Row L-R: Dawn Bahn (Administrative Assistant), Taleen Nalabandian (Psychology), Christine Olson (Psychology), Michael Hofstetter (History), Zoe Hess (Psychology)
Second Row L-R: David Sturrock (Political Science), Jason Eden (History), Scott Peterson (Psychology), Shawn Carlson (Psychology), Amanda Sieling (Justice Administration), Laura Koenig (Psychology), Andrew Odubote (Sociology), James Guerrant (Social Work)
Top Row L-R: Amber Kinner-Alahakoon (Social Work), Tom Williford (History/Dept. Chair), Carlie Timm (Social Work), Nan Askeland (Social Work), BC Franson (Justice Administration), Shoua Yang (Political Science), Laura Mueller-Anderson (Social Work), Ben Anderson (Psychology), Jim Smalley (Social Work)

Not pictured: Anthony Amato (Geography), Jalonta Jackson-Glasco (Social Work), Phillip Roundtree (Social Work), Dan Alloso (History), Darren Renville (Indigenous Nations & Dakota Studies), Gayle Chandler (Social Work), Shannon Brewers (Social Work), Kenny Dodson (Social Work), Renee Cardarelle (Sociology), Nik Proehl (Sociology), Charles Stockner (Sociology), Ury Cohn (Sociology), Molly Simon (Political Science), Christopher McHorney (Political Science), Corey Butler (Pschology), Linda Pesch (Psychology), R. Shane Westfall (Psychology), Benjamin White (Psychology), Sarah Anderson (Psychology), Dawn Odegard (Justice Administration) 

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.