Social Sciences

40th Kinder Houston Area Survey: Hope for future despite pandemic's challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an array of challenges, but Houstonians remain optimistic about their personal futures, according to the 2021 Kinder Houston Area Survey. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Houston’s usually positive feelings about race relations are on the decline. And more people than ever want the government to play a bigger role in solving the country's problems and addressing the growing inequalities.

Black and white soldiers' death rates in Korean War were similar regardless of segregation, study finds

The landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the doctrine of "separate but equal," but for many decades after that segregation was enforced in virtually all aspects of life, including the military.

Social Sciences in the summer: Timely issues on tap for upcoming courses

Summer will be here soon, but Rice's School of Social Sciences isn't taking a vacation from learning. A variety of classes focusing on timely social, political and economic issues are being offered during the summer term.

Unconventional Students at Rice 2021: Khayla Patel runs with a purpose

When Khayla Patel’s parents pushed her to try track and field at Houston’s Memorial High School, she had no idea it would lead her to Rice. “I tried one practice and I fell in love with it,” she said. “And that's where my running career set off.” Under Rice women’s track and field coach Jim Bevan, the cross-country runner has achieved All-Conference USA status, won the Rice Invitational and helped her team win a conference championship.  

'Become human again' to address social, environmental challenges

"Hyposubjects: on becoming human," a new book from Rice professors Timothy Morton and Dominic Boyer, takes an experimental approach to thinking about the social and environmental challenges of our times.

Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address

EXPERT ALERT Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address HOUSTON – (April 28, 2021) – President Joe Biden will make his first address to a joint session of Congress this evening, and Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect.

Managerial Studies makeover: Revamped degree program to emphasize leadership training

Students who dream of a career as a CEO and want the education and real-world experience that can get them there should look no further than Rice University's Managerial Economics and Organizational Sciences (MEOS) major.

Anthony Pinn elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Rice Professor Anthony Pinn has been elected to the nation’s foremost society of scholars, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Established by America’s founding fathers in 1780, the academy’s members have included Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Touchless temperature made simple

Getting around during the pandemic often requires getting your temperature taken to check for COVID-19. A team of seniors at Rice’s Brown School of Engineering wants to make that practice more practical for facilities around the world.

Sports gambling conference eyes risks, rewards of legalization

Legal sports gambling will be analyzed at the Ninth Eubank Conference on Real World Markets at Rice.

Clements and Faubion convene conference of international Foucault ‘superstars’

Scholars’ twice-weekly talks this summer will consider newly published work by the French philosopher Micheal Foucault

Rice remembers Chandler Davidson, founding member of Department of Sociology

Chandler Davidson, a longtime professor in Rice University's School of Social Sciences who was one of the nation's leading experts on voting rights, died April 10 at the age of 84.

How should we decide who deserves to be honored with a statue?

Public monument expert Sanford Levinson to deliver April 13 lecture.

Roland Smith receives namesake award from American Association of Blacks in Higher Education

The American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE) recognized this fact March 16 by awarding him the first Dr. Roland B. Smith Jr. Leadership Award. In addition to his work at Rice and within the larger community, Smith is the director of partnerships of the AABHE, an organization he’s served in a variety of leadership roles since 1986, including a term as its president.

‘Personal experiences of joy’: Baker College senior Pikus wins Watson Fellowship

“I feel grateful having come to Rice, because I feel like it allowed me to go with the flow, have fun, learn things and follow my passion.”