HDSR is an interdisciplinary major drawing upon the academic disciplines of anthropology, sociology and psychology which:

• is oriented toward contemporary social problems and the ethical application of knowledge;
• stresses multiple perspectives and methodologies for understanding complex human and social phenomena;
• is comparative, examining national and international variations in social problems and policies;
is informed by social science theory; and
• emphasizes the use of empirical methods of research and analysis.

HDSR promotes understanding of the dynamic interplay between human beings and their socio-cultural environments. The core courses help students comprehend the states of human development over the life course; the processes by which thought and behavior are shaped by individual, group, institutional, societal and cultural influence; and prevalent psychological and social problems. To provide opportunities for the development of applied skills, HDSR strongly encourages full use of internship opportunities. The Junior and Senior Seminars and the Senior Individualized Project (SIP) help students to integrate theory with application and more fully to understand the complementarity of multiple perspectives.

Designed for students planning careers in a wide range of human-services related fields, HDSR differs from vocational training in affirming the value of general intellectual inquiry, skills, and analysis over and above mastery of technique and specialized professional knowledge. Not only is this the best kind of preparation for a world in change, it also provides a flexible framework for students with diverse interests. Thus, while many HDSR majors pursue careers in a wide range of applied professions requiring bachelors or masters degrees, others enter doctoral study in traditional academic, interdisciplinary, or applied fields in the social sciences in preparation for careers as teachers and researchers.