Social Thought & Political Economy (STPEC)

The Social Thought and Political Economy Program (STPEC) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The only program of its kind in New England, it is designed for students who want a challenging major that will help them understand the world and work towards changing it. The program draws on courses from a variety of departments in the social sciences and humanities, including Afro-American Studies, Anthropology, Communication, Economics, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies.

Welcome to the Social Thought & Political Economy (STPEC) Community

Social Thought and Political Economy Program (STPEC) encourages students to engage in a critical examination of society and to develop their own capacities for critical reading, writing, and thinking on different axes of societal oppression/resistance, most prominently class, race, gender, and sexuality. STPEC students cross disciplinary lines to confront fundamental questions often ignored or neglected by traditional academic thought as they explore theories that address relations among individuals, society, and government. STPEC courses explore issues such as freedom and the state, structural inequality in the economy, work and labor relations, the relationship of Western to non-Western cultures, social and economic power dynamics, and theories of social change.

STPEC students study to understand the world, and to contribute to its transformation. Emphasizing the relationship between theory and practice and the necessity for skill development, STPEC requires that students pursue internships in the community, play a role in university and/or campus community affairs, and assume active responsibility for the shape of their own education within the STPEC Program.

Apply to be a SBS RISE Diversity Fellow

Applications due Friday, April 7, 2023.

The SBS Remedying Inequity through Student Engagement (RISE) Program is currently recruiting students who would be interested in serving as a RISE Diversity Fellow through the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for the …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Consider being a First Year Seminar TA in Fall 2023

Have you been looking for opportunities to further your leadership skills? Have you ever thought about trying out teaching? Do you wish someone had helped you figure out SPIRE or told you the best places to study, where to get …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Faculty Spotlight: How Faculty Office Hours Support Your Academic Aspirations

The biggest misperception about faculty office hours is that you have to be struggling with the class to meet with your professor outside of class. This could not be further from the truth. You can take advantage of faculty office …

By Koni Denham
Koni Denham Director of Student Success - SBS
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Featured Alumni

Erin Buechele’19, STPEC

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • Relational Organizing Coordinator Massachusetts Democratic Party
Meet Erin >

Ella Khorov’19, STPEC & Communication

Alumni
  • Washington, DC
  • Legislative Health Fellow Office of U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas
Meet Ella >
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Featured Resources

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Skill-Building With Linkedin Learning Classes

See below for skill-building classes – visit LinkedIn Learning for more.

Nonprofit Management Foundations

Nonprofit Management Foundations

Leslie Crutchfield
Thinking about leading a nonprofit organization? Internationally renowned author Leslie Crutchfield provides a primer on nonprofit management and leadership. She…
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Emerging Leader Foundations

Emerging Leader Foundations

Dan Schawbel
View Dan’s LinkedIn Newsletter Taking on a leadership role in the diverse, ever-changing modern workplace can feel both exhilarating and…
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Creating a Business Plan

Creating a Business Plan

Mike Figliuolo
View Mike’s LinkedIn Newsletter Looking to build a business or expand one you’re already running? You’ll need to build a…
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How to Be More Inclusive

How to Be More Inclusive

Madecraft
Creating an inclusive workplace, where every employee feels welcomed, valued, respected, and heard, requires both structural change to your company…
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Relevant Courses

SBS College to Careers – SOCBEHAV 250

SBS College to Careers – SOCBEHAV 250

SOCBEHAV 250: College to Careers This class is all about YOU. • One credit, highly-participatory course • Learn about yourself…
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Research Opportunities

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Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2020 was 60%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2022 was 70%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
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  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.