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Department

Social Sciences

The mission of the UAS Social Sciences Department is to provide an interdisciplinary learning experience. Our program facilitates student learning in the following areas:

The Social Sciences Department has a commitment to cultural diversity and to exposing students to multiple world views.

Combine three disciplines into your ideal academic plan

Social Sciences

Program coordinator: Dr. William Urquhart

With concentration areas in:

  • Anthropology
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Start at UAS, Study Law at Willamette University with the Direct Admission Program

The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAS and UAS alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. When a student meets these credentials, they will be admitted to the Willamette School of Law and be guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

For UAS students considering a career in the law, our agreement with Willamette Law is a great opportunity which allows you to attend beautiful Willamette, receive your Juris Doctorate, and receive scholarship funding to support your time in law school. — Dr. Glenn Wright, Faculty, UAS Social Sciences

Willamette College of Law

Administrative Assistant

Suzi D. Vollmer

Administrative Assistant

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Faculty

Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

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Forest S. Haven, Ph.D. (she/her)

Forest S. Haven, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Alaska Native Studies

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Erica Hill, Ph.D.

Erica Hill, Ph.D.

Professor of Anthropology

Effective January 15, 2020, Erica will be serving as program director for Arctic Social Sciences at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, VA. While she maintains her employment with UAS, she is not currently teaching any courses or accepting any advisees. She can be reached via her UAS email.

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Daniel Monteith, Ph.D.

Daniel Monteith, Ph.D.

Professor of Anthropology

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David H. Noon, Ph.D.

David H. Noon, Ph.D.

Professor of History, Social Sciences Department Chair

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Kasia Polanska, Ph.D.

Kasia Polanska, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology & Political Science

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William Urquhart, Ph.D. (he/him)

William Urquhart, Ph.D.

Interim Campus Director / Professor of Sociology

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Glenn D. Wright, Ph.D.

Glenn D. Wright, Ph.D.

Professor of Political Science; Statewide Coordinator, Senator Ted Stevens State Legislative Internship Program

For Glenn, the study of politics is a vocation as well as a pastime, though he also enjoys skiing and sea kayaking. He writes on environmental issues, resource governance, and Alaska state politics and spends about 150 days a year on skis or in a kayak.

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Ali Ziegler, Ph.D.

Ali Ziegler, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology

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Melissa J. Dolese, Ph.D. (she/her)

Melissa J. Dolese, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology

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Nguyet Nguyen, Ph.D. (she/her)

Nguyet Nguyen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of History

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Emeritus Faculty

Robin Walz, Ph.D.

Robin Walz, Ph.D.

Professor of History, Emeritus

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