humanities and social sciences

Sep 21, 2015

Violence Among Young Black Men Linked to Sense of Powerlessness

New research finds that young black men and teens who are most likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence are also those who feel that they have the least power to effect social change. 

Sep 15, 2015

Tequila, Mezcal and Social Science: Q&A With Sarah Bowen

Sarah Bowen knows a lot about tequila and mezcal. Her new book, Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production, explores the complex web of relationships – from farmers to bartenders – involved in transforming agave grown in Mexico into high-end spirits and cocktails consumed around the world. 

Sep 14, 2015

Researchers Aim to Understand What Drives School Diversity or Resegregation

Why are some school districts able to maintain economic diversity in their schools, while others have become effectively resegregated in recent decades? That’s a question being explored by a team of researchers led by NC State University under a grant from the National Science Foundation. 

Aug 31, 2015

Nuance or Conflict? How News Stories Can Influence Perceptions of Emerging Technologies

Researchers have found more evidence that how media report on emerging technologies – such as nanotechnology or genetically modified crops – influences public opinion on those subjects. 

Aug 11, 2015

MLK’s First Dream

Newly released audio recording reflects Dr. King's "dream" imagery, months before the March on Washington. 

Aug 3, 2015

Study Uncovers Communication Strategies Couples Can Use to Address Financial Uncertainty

Money can be a significant source of conflict in relationships, and new research details techniques couples can use to address financial uncertainty, highlighting the importance of communication in managing uncertainty and reducing stress. 

Jul 20, 2015

Study: the Angelina Jolie Effect on Breast Cancer Screening

Angelina Jolie received widespread media attention in 2013 when she told the public that she’d tested positive for a gene associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and subsequently had a double mastectomy. Now research shows that this publicity did influence some women’s intentions to seek out similar genetic testing. 

Jul 14, 2015

Public Response to New Technologies in Food Depends on the Type of Tech

A recent study highlights the complexity of determining how the public will respond to incorporating nanotechnology or genetic modification into food products. 

Jun 30, 2015

How Old You Feel Matters (and It Changes Day to Day)

New research from NC State finds that how old you feel changes on a daily basis – and that has very real ramifications for your well-being. 

May 21, 2015

Race, Politics, and Neighborhood Schools: What You Can Learn From a School Board Election

Local school board elections can be sleepy affairs, but the past decade saw heated debate over elections to the Wake County Board of Education in North Carolina – a debate that raised issues of race, social ties, and what K-12 schools should do in order to best serve their students. 

May 19, 2015

Fisheries, Society and Sustainability: A Q&A With Stefano Longo

What happens when part of the ecosystem becomes a commodity? Stefano Longo explores this and other questions in his new book on fisheries and environmental sociology. 

Apr 8, 2015

In Memoriam: William Block

NC State mourns the passing of retired political science professor William Block, who died last month in Raleigh. Block established the MPA program and chaired the Faculty Senate in his 27-year career at NC State. 

Apr 8, 2015

The Linguists Are Coming! The Linguists Are Coming!

Jeffrey Reaser discusses the importance of linguistics and NC State's role in understanding the language of North Carolina. 

Mar 25, 2015

Study Underscores Complexity of Geopolitics in the Age of the Aztec Empire

New archaeological research highlights the complexity of geopolitics in Aztec-era Mesoamerica and illustrates how the relationships among ancient states extended beyond warfare and diplomacy to issues concerning trade and the flow of goods. 

Mar 16, 2015

Depictions of Race on TV News Can Influence Perception of Police

Research shows that depictions of race on television news programs can strongly influence support for police among non-white viewers.