School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences

A new study by an MIT linguist shows that the speech calls of some monkeys may be more sophisticated than realized, but are still far removed from the complexity of human language.

Comparing primate vocalizations

Study shows Old World monkeys combine items in speech — but only two and never more, unlike humans.

September 3, 2019

'It's not so much that political discussion on TV used to be so much better than it is today," says MIT media historian Heather Hendershot, "but that there used to be one show that really nailed the best way to discuss politics, and now there are (arguably) no such shows."

3 Questions: Heather Hendershot on the state of US political discourse

Media historian and expert on conservatism considers the end of rational dialog.

August 20, 2019

“I chose MIT because no other political science graduate program had such strengths in both East Asia and security studies,” says Fiona Cunningham PhD ’19. “I want to understand the changing nature of warfare and how new technologies have become both opportunities and restraints for countries in international politics.”

The intersection of technology and war

MIT excels in teaching the science and technology associated with the operation of societies, businesses, and militaries, says Fiona Cunningham PhD ’19.

August 13, 2019

The Lorelei Ensemble performs in "Songs from Extrasolar Spaces: Music Inspired by TESS" on July 30 in MIT's Kresge Auditorium.

The music of the spheres

MIT hosts "Songs from Extrasolar Spaces," a musical melding of art and science inspired by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

August 9, 2019

Certain kinds of political media affect a cross-section of viewers in different ways, and to varying degrees, new research shows.

Does cable news shape your views?

MIT study finds partisan news coverage has a bigger impact on viewers without strong media preferences.

August 7, 2019

MIT students work with University of Regensburg Professor Christian Wolff (center) to create and deliver a six-week entrepreneurship seminar for students in the UR Media Informatics MS program. Pictured: the 2107 Global Startup Labs team.

University of Regensburg and MIT-Germany expand partnership

A new agreement includes student programming, workshops, seed funds, and another five years of growing collaboration.

July 30, 2019

“At a time when human rights are under siege from authoritarian rulers around the world, pulling back and constraining the definition and applicability of human rights is especially vexing,” says John Tirman, executive director and principal research scientist at MIT's Center for International Studies.

3Q: John Tirman on a new US human rights commission

CIS executive director argues a recent commission launched by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is an attempt to redirect the human rights movement.

July 22, 2019

J-PAL North America’s Education, Technology, and Opportunity Innovation Competition supports education leaders in using randomized evaluations to generate evidence on how technology can improve student learning, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

J-PAL North America announces second round of competition partners

Education, Technology, and Opportunity Innovation Competition aims to improve student learning.

July 17, 2019

At the 2019 LINC conference, keynote speaker Rebecca Winthrop, director of the Center for Universal Education and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, talked about innovations that aim to scale education to ensure that all young people across the globe develop the skills needed for a fast-changing world.

Making high-quality education accessible to all

Researchers and educators gather at MIT to discuss how to meet the educational needs of a new learning society.

July 15, 2019

Luis Videgaray PhD ’98, former foreign minister and finance minister of Mexico, is coming to MIT to spearhead an effort that aims to help shape global AI policies, focusing on how such rising technologies will affect people living in all corners of the world.

Visiting lecturer to spearhead project exploring the geopolitics of artificial intelligence

At MIT, Luis Videgaray, alumnus and former foreign minister of Mexico, will launch project to help shape international AI policies.

July 12, 2019

Daron Acemoglu named Institute Professor

Versatile economist awarded MIT’s highest faculty honor.

July 10, 2019

Suzanne Berger named inaugural John M. Deutch Institute Professor

Political scientist awarded MIT’s highest faculty honor in new titled position.

July 10, 2019

"This is an exhilarating time for MIT, and for political science in particular, as we navigate an evolving intellectual landscape" says David Singer, professor of political science and head of the Department of Political Science.

David Singer named head of the Department of Political Science

Singer is a scholar of international political economy, a subfield of political science focused on international economic relations.

July 9, 2019

"The efficacy and success of medical advances must always be evaluated within a larger social context,” says Ankita Reddy ’19, who aims to be a physician-anthropologist. “In order to do the most good for individual patients and to slow the spread of disease, our interventions need to take into consideration the public health capacity of communities as well as local ideas of health and sickne...

Ankita Reddy ’19 blends anthropology and biology to improve public health

Recent graduate says culturally-aware approaches lead to more-effective medical interventions.

July 3, 2019

“For more than 40 years, the faculty, fellows, and students of SSP have been conducting policy-relevant and rigorous research on questions of war and peace, both among states and within them. I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as director and look forward to working with my SSP and MIT colleagues in this new role,” says M. Taylor Fravel, the Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of P...

Taylor Fravel named director of the MIT Security Studies Program

Barry Posen announces the leadership transition, welcomes the infusion of new energy.

July 1, 2019

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