The mission of the Department of Social Sciences is to educate and inspire cadets through core courses and academic majors in economics and political science, interdisciplinary minors, and related cadet development activities, and to attract, develop, and employ a faculty that excels in teaching, cadet development, scholarship and outreach, in order to prepare cadets and faculty to serve as leaders of character who make distinguished contributions to the Army and the Nation.
There are three SOSH majors to choose from: American Politics, Economics, and International Affairs.
SOSH has minors available for cadets.
Explore research conducted by our cadets and faculty.
We administer a variety of international and domestic summer enrichment programs for cadets throughout the Academy. Our CHSS programs place cadets around the developing world to work with NGOs on community development projects.
Check out the recurring events hosted by our department!
The Department offers a variety of clubs and programs to enrich cadets.
Colonel Heidi Demarest is the Head of the Department of Social Sciences and an Associate Professor of American Politics. She is a 2001 graduate of the United States Military Academy and completed her Ph.D. in political science at Harvard University in 2011. Heidi served as the Director of the American Politics Program from 2015-2019 and as the U.S. Military Academy’s Liaison Officer to the Department of the Army in the Pentagon in 2018-2019. LTC Demarest was the Deputy Brigade Commander of the Army’s offensive cyber brigade at Ft. Meade, MD from 2013-2015. Heidi has served as the military assistant to the Combined Joint Task Force Political Advisor in Afghanistan and commanded a company of Soldiers responsible for emplacing and maintaining the National Security Agency’s classified communications networks. She pursues research interests in defense budgeting, defense acquisition practices, bureaucratic politics, and the interaction between the Army and Congress.
UPS/ FEDEX Mailing address:
United States Military Academy
Official Mail and Distribution Center
ATTN: MADN-SOC
607 Cullum Road
West Point, New York 10996-1905
Contact Us: 845.938.2800
We are looking for both officers and civilian faculty to teach American Politics, Economics, and International Affairs.