University of Oregon defensive lineman Stetzon Bair chose to study general social sciences in his ongoing desire to become a better businessman. For wide receiver Blake Stanton, the major provided the opportunity to get practical experience in the field of law. Fifteen other members of the 2013 Oregon football team studying social sciences have their own, varied reasons for enrolling in the program.

General Social Science Program Director Reuben Zahler believes the flexibility and variability of the major has lead to its popularity boom over the last two years, especially among student-athletes.

“The idea behind (the program) is that it’s designed to serve a few different purposes that won’t be served through more traditional departments,” he said. “It turns out that there really has been a need that this program is meeting for the student body. Among other things, it really has turned out to be very popular for a lot of students that just feel constrained by the other schools.”

Members of Oregon’s football elite are among those who view social sciences as a release from conventional restraints. With roughly one fifth of the team enrolled, according to the UO’s student database, social sciences has become the most popular declared major among the Ducks football team.

Students choose a focus in one of four departments — applied economics and business; crime, law and society; globalization, environment and policy; or social studies teaching — then take a variety of courses across many departments and disciplines that apply to their particular track of study.

Zahler says without the constraints of a specific department, students are allowed a greater capacity for vocational training that will allow them to learn the practical, hands-on skills that will apply to individual career goals. In addition, the increased variety in classes means more abundant course offerings in subject matter and scheduling.

For an athlete whose typical day spans from 8 a.m. practice to evening meetings and tutoring sessions with only a five-hour window to fit in academics, this increased variety can be key to a balanced schedule.

Stanton first heard about the social sciences major when his academic counselor recommended it as an option that would reduce a scheduling pressure. Since he was considering a future in law school, the major seemed like a good fit.

“My adviser told me that (the major) would be manageable with football going year round,” he said. “This (major) would give me time for school and sport, so that’s why I chose it.”

Coming into the UO, Bair already had a game plan to continue expanding his business knowledge. Instead of pursuing a traditional business degree, however, he chose to pursue the business track of the social sciences major to increase the variety of knowledge he would amass. For him, the increased flexibility in class schedule to accompany his full-time football lifestyle was simply an added boon.

“I was looking for a field of study, and this one had an emphasis on business and economics,” he said. “It was something that made sense for what I wanted to do.”

In the face of wins and losses, injuries and draft picks, the future of a student-athlete can be even less set in stone than that of the average, indecisive student. By studying social sciences, however, students and athletes alike hope to solidify one thing for certain: a degree with applicable job prospects.
“Nobody really knows what they want to do,” Bair said. “After people graduate, how many people actually use their degrees? At least this makes it so that you’re more well-rounded, so that you actually do get a job.”