There is an ancient saying that asserts, "Know thyself, so that you may know others." The Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences (HPSS) recognizes that the wisdom of this statement is incomplete without its complementary claim: "Know others, so that you may know yourself." HPSS is an inter-disciplinary department where faculty teach and conduct research in a range of fields across the humanities and social sciences. HPSS course offerings seek to fulfill these ideals through the study of human life, past and present, in its social, political, intellectual and cultural contexts and manifestations. Courses in HPSS focus on the variety of perspectives and methodologies of the faculty's various disciplines towards the development of critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

The HPSS Curriculum consists of electives in Western and World History, Philosophy, including a number of offerings in Aesthetics, and the Social Sciences: Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Cultural Studies.

HPSS Requirements for Graduation: 9 credits (3 courses) in HPSS, including the first year HPSS Topics course (S101). Additional elective courses may be taken to fulfill the 12-credit Liberal Arts elective requirement for graduation. (See Liberal Art Requirements.)

HPSS Concentration
HPSS allows students with a special interest in the disciplines and critical methodologies offered by the department to pursue their study in a more in-depth and focused fashion. Each student completing the requirements for a concentration in HPSS receives a diploma with his or her chosen HPSS concentration track clearly noted. For more information about the concentration tracks offered, visit the HPSS Concentration page or contact HPSS concentration coordinator David Warner by email or phone at 401-454-6264. The established concentration tracks are listed below; students also have the option to design an individualized concentration.

American Studies
Asian Studies
Belief Systems
Comparative Political Systems
Contemporary Issues + Public Policy
Culture, Race + Ethnicity
Environmental Studies
European Studies
Gender + Sexuality
Media Studies
The Self in Society

>> complete faculty list (you must log in to RISD's intranet)

Department Head

Lindsay French Department Head Associate Professor of Anthropology Phone: 401 454-6643 lfrench@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Full-time Faculty

Daniel Cavicchi Associate Professor of American Studies Phone: 401 454-6799 dcavicch@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Scott Cook Professor of Modern European History Phone: 401 454-6270 scook@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Lindsay French Department Head Associate Professor of Anthropology Phone: 401 454-6643 lfrench@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Donald Keefer Professor of Philosophy Phone: 401 454-6580 dkeefer@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Jennifer Prewitt-Freilino Assistant Professor of Psychology Phone: 401 454-6693 jpruitt@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Yuriko Saito Professor of Philosophy Phone: 401 454-6578 ysaito@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

David Warner Professor of Ancient and Medieval History HPSS Concentration Coordinator Phone: 401 454-6264 dwarner@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Damian White Assistant Professor of Sociology Phone: 401 454-6668 dwhite01@risd.edu

Select for more information. . .

Senior Lecturers

Larry Carney Senior Lecturer Phone:

Select for more information. . .

Tom Roberts Senior Lecturer Phone: 401 454-6587

Select for more information. . .

Jane Szurek Senior Lecturer Phone: 401 454-6612

Select for more information. . .

Donald Thornton Senior Lecturer Phone: 401 277-4869

Select for more information. . .