Sociology/Anthropology Major

Professors Cohen, Howard, Peoples
Continuing Part-time Associate Professor Durst
Assistant Professors Dean, Yalçinkaya

Today’s globalization interrelates people of different nationalities and ethnicities in many complex ways. In addition to presenting little-known facts about these interactions, Sociology and Anthropology offer insights and alternative perspectives on the modern world and out place in it. The two fields study humans as social and cultural beings, as we live with one another in societies and are members of diverse cultural heritages. The department combines the two related disciplines to provide extensive knowledge about human cultures and societies, to demonstrate how that knowledge is acquired and applied, to learn about life in the United States and our interdependent world, and to prepare students for a broad range of careers and graduate programs.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand macro-micro relations: Understand the reciprocal relationships between the individual and society, the particular and the general, and the local and the global.

2. Think theoretically: Understand the role of theory within sociology and anthropology and be able to apply theory to social issues.

3. Conduct research and use evidence effectively: Understand the role of evidence, and use qualitative and quantitative methods effectively in sociological and anthropological research.

4. Develop values of social responsibility: Develop empathy for others and a concern for social justice.

5. Demonstrate sociological and anthropological knowledge: Master basic concepts in sociology and anthropology

6. Critical thinking: Identify the underlying assumptions of various arguments (and one’s own thinking) and to apply opposing viewpoints to social issues.

7. Communication skills: Communicate sociological and anthropological knowledge effectively through written and oral communication.

Major Requirements

Ten courses consisting of SOAN 110 or SOAN 117 , SOAN 111 , SOAN 279 , SOAN 379 , SOAN 499 , and five electives. SOAN 279 should be taken by the junior year. PSYC 210 , MATH 105 or MATH 230 will be accepted for credit in the major, although none may replace SOAN 279 .

Note(s):

To be eligible to declare a major in Sociology/Anthropology, a student must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or both a 2.0 cumulative GPA and have earned a “B” in one SOAN course.

Knowledge of a foreign language and training in statistics are strongly recommended for all majors. Mastery of these skills is especially important for students who are planning on graduate study or government service.

Independent study and apprenticeships are vital parts of the major. Every effort is made to tailor programs to individual student needs and to maintain flexibility within a framework of rigorous scholarship. All apprenticeships are graded credit/no entry. No other course counting for credit in the major may be taken credit/no entry.