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Sociology and anthropology are the two
social sciences that seek to understand and explain the shared behavior
of people in organized groups or societies. Sociology is largely
concerned with the study of western civilization as a system,
particularly as regards a description of American society and how it
operates today. Anthropology is concerned with the study of humanity as
a part of the natural world, and of culture that developed to cope with
that world. Anthropologists have dealt largely with prehistoric and
small-scale societies and cultures in an effort to arrive at an
understanding of universal cultural laws. Anthropologists are
increasingly studying large-scale societies and the interaction
between small- and large-scale cultures in the global system..
Majors in this department take courses in
both fields and are encouraged to take courses in the other social
sciences (economics, cultural geography, political science, and
psychology) and in the humanities (history, philosophy, and the arts) as
well.
The department offers the B.A. and B.S.
degrees in anthropology, crime and justice studies, and sociology.
Artifact collections, laboratories, and other facilities are
conveniently available to anthropology majors. Graduates of the
department can consider a wide range of employment possibilities, about
which information can be obtained from the faculty.
The department also offers a Certificate of Completion
in Diversity and Stratification. This interdisciplinary certificate
involves the completion of 12 credits of study focusing on issues of
diversity and stratification and recognizes competency in understanding
a broad range of diversity issues and in applying that understanding in
the workplace and social life.
While intending to embrace the fields of
sociology and anthropology in their entirety, the department has major
strengths in particular areas. Students are encouraged to seek these out
in consultation with the faculty. This is especially important for
graduate students wishing to pursue the M.A. degree, about which more
information will be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions concerning
courses and degree programs should be addressed to the
department
chair , Donald Tyler. |