Majors & Minors
Course CatalogSociology and Anthropology
Sociology & Anthropology foster a critical consciousness of how different cultures and social groups organize and make sense of their world. Majors explore the ways in which social interaction, social practices, culture and social structures promote solidarity, mark differences, legitimate power, create inequality, police deviance, maintain social order, promote resistance, and lead to movements for change. Majors discover the patterns, rules and logic that undergird criminal justice systems, gender and race relations, sexuality, family, work, law, medicine, religion, and the arts, as well as the cultural variability in these. Majors examine struggles for power and privilege and the ways in which humans have transformed their own societies and those of others. Sociology and Anthropology majors also learn how to question received knowledge; think critically and imaginatively; interpret, situate, and evaluate an argument; design and carry out research on human behavior, social groups, and societies; formulate, articulate, and support a position; write cogently, persuasively, and with sensitivity to ethical issues; develop an historical and comparative gaze in tackling contemporary problems; and act in a world that is complex, global, and multi-faceted. Sociology & Anthropology courses are interactive, combining lecture and discussion. Many majors enhance their understanding of other cultures and societies by studying abroad, e.g., in Australia, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and South Africa. Many also take courses in interdisciplinary campus programs such as Asian Studies, Black Studies, European Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Conflict Studies, and Women's Studies. Still others participate in off-campus internship programs, including in New York, Philadelphia, and London.
Requirements for a major
Anthropology
| Total courses required |
Nine |
| Core courses |
ANTH 151, ANTH 153, ANTH 380, ANTH 383, ANTH 452. The required courses in the major, including the required 300-level course, must be taken on campus. |
| Other required courses |
Of the remaining four courses, one must be at the 300-level. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
Four |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience |
The senior requirement consists of the completion of a thesis with a grade of C- or higher in ANTH 452. The capstone experience for majors includes the completion of ANTH 452 (Senior Seminar in Anthropology) and a 25-35 page thesis based on original research. The first half of the seminar involves common readings on a broad theme of anthropological relevance; the second half of the seminar is devoted to students' individual projects and presentations of their work in class. Students also present their final work during the annual Sociology and Anthropology Senior Symposium. |
| Recent changes in major |
For majors declared prior to July 1, 2011: "Two courses in sociology may apply toward the anthropology major, but not toward the 300-level course." |
Sociology
| Total courses required |
Nine |
| Core courses |
SOC 100, SOC 303, SOC 401, SOC 410. The required courses in the major, including the required 300-level course, must be taken on campus. |
| Other required courses |
Of the remaining five courses, one must be at the 300-level. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
Four |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience |
The senior requirement consists of the completion of a thesis with a grade of C- or higher in SOC 410. The capstone experience for majors includes the completion of SOC 410 (Senior Seminar in Sociology) and a 25-35 page thesis based on original research. The first half of the seminar involves common readings on a broad theme of sociological relevance; the second half of the seminar is devoted to students' individual projects and presentations of their work in class. Students also present their final work during the annual Sociology and Anthropology Senior Symposium. |
| Recent changes in major |
For majors declared prior to July 1, 2011: "Two courses in anthropology may apply toward the sociology major, but not toward the 300-level course." |
Sociology and Anthropology (Discontinued effective July 1, 2011)
| Total courses required |
Ten |
| Core courses |
SOC 100, SOC 303, ANTH 151, ANTH 383; either SOC 401 or ANTH 380; either SOC 410 or ANTH 452. The required courses in the major, including the required 300-level course, must be taken on campus. |
| Other required courses |
Five courses in each discipline must be completed. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
Four |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience |
The senior requirement consists of the completion of a thesis with a grade of C- or higher in SOC 410 or ANTH 452. The capstone experience for majors includes the completion of either SOC 410 (Senior Seminar in Sociology) or ANTH 452 (Senior Seminar in Anthropology) and a 25-35 page thesis based on original research. The first half of the seminar involves common readings on a broad theme of sociological/anthropological relevance; the second half of the seminar is devoted to students' individual projects and presentations of their work in class. Students also present their work during the annual Sociology and Anthropology Senior Symposium. |
| Recent changes in major |
This combined major has been discontinued, effective Fall 2011. Current students who have declared the major before July 1, 2011 will be allowed to complete it. |
Requirements for a minor
Anthropology
| Total courses required |
Five |
| Core courses |
ANTH 151 or ANTH 153 |
| Other required courses |
|
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
One |
Sociology
| Total courses required |
Five |
| Core courses |
SOC 100 |
| Other required courses |
|
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
One |
