Simply put, social science is the field of study concerned with society; here we use scientific methods to study human behavior and social patterns. Areas of study include anthropology, economics, political science, history and psychology, among others. Many Mighty Banyans study the social sciences because they want to help improve our societies – and they do.
The faculty’s longstanding relationship with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota is of great benefit to New College students, who are frequently able to study at this world-class marine life facility in conjunction with classes, tutorials, or their professors’ funded research. Some students have also done internships. These provide unique, hands-on opportunities to conduct ocean science research, education, or support services under the mentorship of Mote scientists, educators, animal care specialists and other professionals.
Social Sciences Division AOCs
Social Sciences Faculty & Staff
Frank Alcock, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science & Environmental Studies
Anthony Andrews
Professor Emeritus of Anthropology
Uzi Baram
Emeritus Professor
Mary-Ellen Barnick
Office Assistant
Michelle Barton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Elizabeth Bates
Psychology Technician
Gordon Bauer, Ph.D.
Visiting Professor of Psychology
Carrie Beneš, Ph.D.
Professor of History
David Brain, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies
Charlene Callahan
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Provost Emerita
Richard Coe
Professor Emeritus
Nat Colletta
Tracy Collins
Associate Professor of Economics
Peter Cook, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Marine Mammal Science
Duff Cooper, Ph.D.
Director of Social Sciences Research Lab
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Quantitative Methods
Justus Doenecke, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of History
David Ellis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science
Kristi Fecteau
Office Manager
Barbara Feldman, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Yidong Gong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Co-Director of Health, Cultures, and Societies
Steven Graham, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Heidi Harley, Ph.D.
Founder & Chief Research Officer, Marine Mammal Science / Peg Scripps Buzzelli Endowed Chair
David Harvey
Dean, Center for the Study of Western Civilization
Sarah Hernandez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology & Caribbean and Latin American Studies
Barbara Hicks
Social Science Division Chair
Professor of Political Science
Andrew Humphries
Assistant Professor of Economics
Nasser Hussain
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
William Hustwit
Associate Professor of History
Richard Izquierdo
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Tarron Khemraj, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics and International Studies
William and Marie Selby Chair
Thomas McCarthy
Professor of History
P. Jewel Morrison
Assistant Professor of Psychology
John Palmer
Adjunct Professor of Economics
Frederick Pirone
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Matt Schalles
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Xia Shi
Associate Professor of History
Marian Hoppin Chair of Asian Studies
Audrey Sprenger, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology
Christina Toms, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Casey Wheatland, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Sherry Yu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance