Social sciences

MIT's Communication Forum conducts a conversation for scholars — and citizensHas explored media and change for more than 30 years

All the difference in the worldIn new book, economists Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson assert that above all else, political institutions — not culture or natural resources — determine the wealth of nations.

Erica Caple James receives $25,000 Levitan Prize in the HumanitiesA 'consummate anthropologist'

Current SHASS MacVicar Faculty Fellows reflect on teaching at MITNew fellows to be named Friday; current SHASS fellows discuss the significance — and the sheer fun — of teaching the Institute's students

Political science PhD candidate Christopher Clary helping to shape U.S. defense policy

3 Questions: Adam Berinsky on the unpredictable GOP campaignPolitical scientist who studies public opinion assesses a campaign with wildly fluctuating polls.

Said and Done for January 2012The humanities, arts and social sciences monthly digest.

The group that built the fieldScientific reunion commemorates 50 years of Linguistics at MIT

Perreau receives Newton Fellowship from the British AcademyReceives research associate appointment from Cambridge University

Nobel laureate: Long path to economic renewal, but energy innovation could help

Taylor Fravel decodes China’s foreign policyA political scientist analyzes the decisions of a world power.

Rethinking the fall of Rome’s republicHistorian’s innovative hypothesis paints new picture of ancient Italy and aims to explain how the Roman Republic fell.

Joseph Aoun PhD ’82, president of Northeastern University, receives Muh Alumni AwardBiennial award honors MIT alumni achievements in humanities, arts and social sciences.

In Profile: Suzanne BergerA onetime student of French political history has become a leading figure in the battle to revive U.S. manufacturing.

In the World: Murmurs of MayanMIT undergraduate travels to Mexico in hopes of documenting and preserving ancient linguistic phenomena — and the culture behind them.

What it takes to make every vote countMIT hosts Voting Technology Project conference to reinvigorate public discussion on election integrity.

In Profile: Daniel PosnerMIT political scientist looks at the surprising ways ethnicity and politics mesh in southern Africa.

Pulling back the curtainMIT anthropologist Graham Jones peers into the mysterious world of professional magicians.

Duflo wins APPAM’s Kershaw Award for public policy analysis

Said and Done for September 2011The humanities, arts and social sciences monthly digest

Cracking the codeMIT sociologist’s book takes an insider look at investment banking and the high-risk trades that can spin out of control.

Ugandan journalist joins the Center for International StudiesHuman rights journalist Jackee Batanda receives Neuffer fellowship, will study at MIT for the next academic year.

Wisdom of crowdsIn countries that lack financial records, how can we tell who is truly poor? An innovative study suggests: Ask the neighbors.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts and social sciences digest for July/August 2011.

In Profile: Kenneth OyeA political scientist aims to help governments assess the potential risks of new technologies.