Center for Social Science Research
The Center for Social Science Research (CSSR) is an interdisciplinary center that supports the teaching of the many fundamental methodologies of social science field research.
Our mission is to advance social science research at Bucknell University by providing students with the tools, research opportunities and instructors that will guide them in their research.
Research
Faculty Research Grants
Annually, the CSSR awards faculty research grants based on proposal reviews conducted by a subcommittee of the Steering Committee. Look for the call for proposals at the start of each academic year.
Student Research Fellows
Each academic year, the CSSR funds up to ten student research fellows, with candidates evaluated by a subcommittee of the CSSR Steering Committee. Selected fellows work closely with a faculty mentor, maintain customizable research hours, and showcase their findings at the annual Poster Plus event. Look for the call for proposals at the start of each academic year.
Poster Plus Event
Launched in Spring 2011, the Social Science Research Methods Poster Plus Session offers students an opportunity to showcase social science research projects developed within their courses. The event has expanded beyond methods-specific classes to encompass a broad range of course-based social science research. Presentations encompass traditional posters as well as original multimedia formats, such as short films and digital sites. Poster Plus is hosted biannually at the conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters.
Director
- Professor Janet VanLone, Education
Academic Assistants
- Natalie Kuhns
- Holly Wenrick
Steering Committee
- Professor Matthew Baltz, Sociology & Anthropology
- Professor Ritwika Biswas, Geography
- Professor Ozlem Cender, Economics
- Professor Haley Kragness, Psychology
- Professor David Rojas, Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies
- Professor Christina Xydias, Political Science
- Professor Zhiqun Zhu, Political Science
Course Offerings
Course: UNIV 340: Social Science Honors Thesis Prep .5 credits
Offered in the Fall semester
Description: Social Science Honors Thesis Preparation at Bucknell University is a 0.5-credit fall-semester course. It features 1.5 lecture hours per week and helps students prepare their honors thesis proposals and research design in the social sciences.
Course: UNIV 140: Social Science Research Methods .5 credits.
Offered in the Spring semester
Description: This team-taught course introduces multiple methodologies employed in social science disciplines for students considering independent research or deciding between social science majors. Students will gain broad comparative knowledge about the strengths, applicability, types of data produced by various methodological approaches and how to pursue more advanced methodological training.