The SOAN department does not impart a set of professional skills so much as educate students to see the world through the eyes of a social scientist. In training students to view human events from a number of perspectives, SOAN develops the analytical and problem-solving skills needed in any career.

The department sponsors events for majors, faculty, and anyone else who would like to attend. These events include colloquia, potables-and-cheese type parties, taking a faculty member to lunch (there is such a thing as a free lunch!), and the spring SOAN picnic. If you're a major, come to as many as you can, as they are good opportunities to get to know your fellow majors and the faculty on an informal level.