School of Social Sciences

About School of Social Sciences

The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) is an academic unit of the Ateneo de Manila University, located in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. As one of the core schools within the university, it operates under the broader institutional framework of the Ateneo de Manila University, which is a private Catholic research university. The school functions as a center for instruction and research in the social sciences, following the university’s Jesuit tradition of liberal arts education. It provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to examine human behavior, social structures, and cultural dynamics through empirical and theoretical analysis.

The academic structure of the School of Social Sciences comprises several departments, including Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, Development Studies, and History. These departments offer a range of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as Master’s and Doctoral programs. The curriculum is designed to integrate disciplinary knowledge with interdisciplinary perspectives, requiring students to engage in research projects and field work. The school emphasizes the application of social science methodologies to address contemporary issues, particularly those relevant to the Philippine context and the broader Southeast Asian region.

The physical campus of the School of Social Sciences is situated within the Loyola Heights campus of the Ateneo de Manila University. Students have access to the university’s shared infrastructure, including the Rizal Library, which houses extensive collections in the humanities and social sciences. The campus provides specialized facilities such as psychology laboratories, computer centers for quantitative data analysis, and seminar rooms equipped for collaborative research. The university environment supports academic activities through a centralized administrative system that manages enrollment, student services, and campus security, ensuring that students within the school have access to the resources of the larger institution.

Ateneo de Manila University, including its School of Social Sciences, holds various forms of recognition and accreditation. The university maintains autonomous status granted by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which provides institutional flexibility in curriculum development and program offerings. Several individual programs within the School of Social Sciences have been designated as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development by CHED, indicating that these specific departments meet established standards for instructional quality, research output, and faculty credentials. The school’s academic operations are also subject to periodic internal and external reviews to maintain alignment with the university’s educational objectives.

The research profile of the School of Social Sciences is characterized by its focus on empirical studies, policy analysis, and social advocacy. Faculty members are engaged in projects that cover topics such as migration, economic development, political governance, and community psychology. This research output is frequently disseminated through academic journals, policy briefs, and public forums hosted by the university’s various research centers. The school encourages faculty and student collaboration, often integrating undergraduate research requirements into the curriculum to develop technical skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and qualitative interviewing.

As part of the Ateneo de Manila University, the School of Social Sciences adheres to the institution’s mission of forming graduates who are capable of critical thinking and social engagement. The educational approach combines classroom instruction with a core curriculum that includes philosophy and theology, consistent with the Jesuit pedagogy of "cura personalis" or care for the whole person. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in their chosen disciplines while maintaining an awareness of the societal implications of their work. The school maintains a network of alumni who pursue careers in government, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector, reflecting the versatile nature of the social science training provided.

The school also facilitates internationalization through partnerships with other universities globally. These collaborations often involve student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and visiting professorships. Such international engagement allows students and faculty to compare local social phenomena with global trends, contributing to the school’s objective of fostering a broader understanding of human societies. By participating in these networks, the School of Social Sciences maintains its connection to the international academic community while continuing to fulfill its role as a primary contributor to social science discourse within the Philippines.