Social Inquiry Department
Explore people, cultures, ideas, and systems – past and present.
UW-Superior’s Department of Social Inquiry brings together a diverse range of academic programs, including:
- Anthropology
- History/Social Studies Education
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
- Public Leadership and Changemaking.
These programs provide the foundation of a strong liberal arts education, preparing students for meaningful careers and helping them develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their communities, and the broader world.
Connected, Supportive Faculty
Social Inquiry faculty are deeply involved on campus and in the community. They regularly invite guest speakers, alumni, and local leaders to share real-world insights and diverse perspectives. Instructors are committed to student success and offer personalized guidance and hands-on opportunities often found only at larger universities.
Public Leadership and Changemaking
A one-of-a-kind program shaping future community leaders.
Unique to the region, the Public Leadership and Changemaking (PLC) Program program is the department’s newest interdisciplinary major. PLC prepares students to:
- Work across diverse groups and communities
- Address complex local, regional, national, and global issues
- Develop solutions rooted in collaboration, justice, and long-term impact
Graduates are in demand in fields such as nonprofits, public administration, planning and policy, civic and community organizations, and tribal government sectors.
The Social Inquiry Department’s history and philosophy programs have absolutely changed my life! I’ve been given so many wonderful and unique opportunities to grow my academic and professional skills. Through that and the encouragement of everyone in the department, I’ve gained so much more confidence in myself, in and out of the classroom.
Being part of UW-Superior’s Anthropology program has been an amazing experience. Through personal observations and fieldwork partnered with research into global cultural diversity, I have been able to learn so much more about people locally and globally. It has been a great supplement to my history major and is an ideal minor for anybody interested in human experience, behavior, or diversity.
The philosophy program is great! I have learned so much not only from the classes but the professors. It is easy to see the professors are passionate about what they teach and are always available if you need help understanding material or just want to talk more in-depth about the concepts that were taught. I know I will be able to take what I have learned and apply it to my life outside of college.
I had reservations about going back to school after several years, about fitting in, but my experience at UWS has been wonderful. I’ve had nothing but support from my instructors and have really felt challenged by the work. The small class sizes give me opportunity to interact with my fellow students and not to feel so much like an outsider.
The Social Inquiry Department helped me find a voice I didn’t know I had prior to becoming a student at UWS. The professors and their coursework have taught me how to make sound cases, in both written and verbal formats. The faculty in this department have helped me to feel prepared to become a teacher of social studies at the secondary level.
As a Public Leadership and Changemaking major at UWS, I have moved from being a lost non-traditional student trying to find their place in the world to someone with a focus on how they can be of service to it. I’ve gained a partner, lifelong friendships and a path forward in life.
The history program at UWS has offered me incredible opportunities and provided me with the resources to become a confident student and historian. The professors in my department are wonderful people who offer nothing but support and genuine concern for the outcome of my education and my future. I truly appreciate this and feel as if I”m in a program and a school where I belong and thrive.
The Political Science program at UWS has been a wonderful opportunity. My professors are engaging, and I have had the chance to apply my knowledge in multiple Academic Service-Learning projects. The small class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors well and to get a more thorough understanding of the material, and I feel comfortable and supported in sharing my thoughts and questions.
Additional Resources
Scholarships
Involvement Opportunities
Social Inquiry programs challenge and inspire students to explore new perspectives, experiences and opportunities through research, discussion, Academic Service-Learning, experiential learning activities and internships. Examples include an interactive refugee exhibit in which students teach community and university members. Students also have opportunities to be involved in student clubs, voter engagement initiatives, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program and many other educational enrichment activities.
Facilities
The Social Inquiry Department is located in Swenson Hall, which is one of the newest and most updated buildings on campus. Classrooms and labs feature the latest technology. The building also includes study spaces with beautiful views of campus, a computer lab, and offices for Student Support Services that provide a wide array of resources and support.
