Sociology and Anthropology

Taylor 218

541-552-6761

Mark Shibley, Chair

Professor	Adjunct Faculty	Emeritus
Mark Shibley	Barry Baker	Cecile Baril
Mark Tveskov	Jeff LaLande	Anne Chambers
	Karen Miller-Loessi	Richard Colvard
Associate Professor	Kevin Preister	Iain Couchman
Kylan de Vries	Chelsea Rose	Echo Fields
Jessica Piekielek	Eva Skuratowicz	Bryce Johnson
Vincent Smith	Dee Southard	Jean Maxwell
	Bonnie Yates	Victoria Sturtevant
Assistant Professor
Larry Gibbs		Associated Faculty
Amber Reed		Rich May
Kelly Szott		Carey Sojka

The sociology and anthropology degree offers students a major based on the shared intellectual foundations and methods of inquiry of two distinct social science disciplines.

Sociology is the study of the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of human groups and how people act within social contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious movements; from the divisions of race, class and gender to the shared beliefs of a common culture; from work lives to digital selves.

Anthropology’s diverse subject matter of “human beings in all times and places” reflects the discipline’s interest in human culture dating from the Paleolithic past to contemporary times; from exotic, distant societies to the myriad subcultures of the Western world; from the biological bases of human behavior to our most elaborate cultural creations; and in the interaction of diverse peoples from colonial to modern contexts.

Our curriculum emphasizes an appreciation of cultural diversity and a critical, historical, and comparative perspective on social worlds. Students develop the conceptual and analytic skills for understanding identity, behavior, culture, power, and social change. All majors complete a rigorous 16-credit research methods sequence and a year-long capstone experience that requires students to put their anthropological and sociological skills to work through individual projects of their own design. Students engage in learning in and out of the classroom to prepare for a wide range of careers and graduate education.

Coursework and curriculum in the sociology and anthropology program emphasize practical application of skills to a variety of issues. Students are encouraged to seek internships and practica placements that match their specific interests to fully develop their skills and to gain experience that will further their career goals. The program’s close and supportive relationship with local groups and organizations provides a basis for meaningful student involvement in problem solving. Practical experiences culminate in a senior capstone designed and carried out under faculty supervision.

Major, Minors, and Certificates in the Sociology and Anthropology program

Students are encouraged to indicate their interest in a sociology and anthropology major, minor, or certificate at the first possible opportunity. Advisors are assigned to best support students’ individual interests and career goals. Regular meetings with the advisor will ensure that degree requirements are met efficiently and full use is made of program opportunities.

Major and Minor in Sociology and Anthropology

The program offers a Sociology and Anthropology major (BA/BS) and minor.

Certificate in Cultural Resource Management

The Cultural Resource Management Certificate program prepares students for careers in the management and preservation of prehistoric and historic cultural sites located on public and private lands. Emphasis is on methods and the development and implementation of research designs. To qualify for the certificate, students must also meet the requirements of a bachelor’s degree at SOU.

Regional Studies and Applied Research Certificate

The overall goal of the Regional Studies and Applied Research Certificate program is to provide students with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand interrelationships among the social, cultural, economic, geographic, and environmental aspects of a region.

Social Justice Minor

The Social Justice minor helps students understand relationships of vulnerability, power inequity, and institutions of change, and provides tools needed for informed and effective participation at all levels of community.

Interdisciplinary Major Emphasizing Sociology and Anthropology

Students who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree in interdisciplinary studies with sociology and anthropology as a major field must apply to the program by submitting a personal statement describing their goals for the major, show evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in SOAN Foundation courses and completion of University Seminar (or equivalent) and MTH 243 or EC 232. All candidates work with an advisor from the program at the time of application.

Human Service Degree Completion Program

The sociology and anthropology program collaborates with the psychology program to offer an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree focusing on the needs of human service professionals. Curriculum and requirements are listed in the Psychology section of the SOU Catalog.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Sociology and Anthropology, BA or BS

Minor

Certificate

Courses

Sociology and Anthropology