With each new phase of leadership, the Social Science Program gained new dimensions and the program has facilitated the growth of entire new areas of inquiry. In the late 1950s, Dean Harlan Cleveland used the Social Science Program to support and expand International Relations. Later under Dean Scotty Campbell, Social Science was a vehicle to strengthen Metropolitan Studies. Most recently, Social Science has had close ties with the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflict. Today, Social Science has many faces.
Some students remain interested in international issues, urban affairs, and conflict studies.
Others emphasize areas such as women's studies, African-American studies, health care, aging, environmental issues and so on.