Social Sciences Department

The Department of Social Sciences at Hawai'i Pacific University houses undegraduate academic programs in anthropology, geography, international relations, international studies, justice administration, political science, social science, and sociology; and an interdisciplinary graduate program in global leadership and sustaintable development. Faculty and students combine their intellectual curiosity to foster greater awareness of a range of socio-cultural, political, and global issues, and in turn help to educate global citizens ready to make a difference in the world.

AdmissionsHPU Professor Dr.Patrick Bratton on India as a global power...

Could India be a global power? Dr. Patrick Bratton explores this question with Bill Sharp on Asia in Review...

AdmissionsHPU Trains International Educators

For the past three summers, HPU has hosted an important gathering of international educators. This program funded by a multi-year, multi-million dollar federal grant project from the U.S. Department of State...

AdmissionsHPU faculty member Sheryl Sunia Interviewed on hostage crisis

HPU faculty member and retired homicide detective Sheryl Sunia speaks with 19 years of experience as a hostage negotiator...

AdmissionsHPU Alumni Andrew Abordonado: A Career in Diplomacy

HPU Alumni and Fulbright scholar Andrew Abordonado talks about his choice to pursue a career in the Foreign Service on ‘Asia in Review’ hosted by Social Sciences Department Chair Dr. Carlos Juarez…

Fulbright Programs

"An independent not-for-profit founded in 1919, IIE is among the world's largest and most experienced international education and training organizations. We are committed to delivering program excellence to a diverse range of participants, sponsors, and donors."

HPU Gets Insider Perspective on Diplomacy
The recent APEC conference gave several members of the HPU ‘ohana a unique insider perspective on diplomacy as a team of two students and two alumni joined HPU faculty member, Dr. Carlos Juarez, to support the Peruvian delegation...
HPU students, alumni, faculty, and staff unplug from the grid and plug into life…

This past Thanksgiving, Kupuna-in-residence Dr. Lynette Cruz took a group of 20 to Maui for the experience of a life time. The group was a mix of students, undergraduates, faculty, staff and alumni from HPU. Lead by anthropology senior Nicole Lemas, the group met and lived off the grid with local famer Uncle Oliver Dukelow and his Ohana...read more!