Sociology and Anthropology
Taylor 122
541-552-6321

Anne Chambers, Chair

SOU CATALOG HOME : SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS : SOCIOLOGY/ANTRHOPOLOGY : COURSES

Professors: Cecile Baril, Bryce Johnson, Victoria Sturtevant

Associate Professors: S. M. Shamsul Alam, Anne Chambers, Jean Maxwell

Assistant Professors: Mark Shibley, Echo Fields

Instructor: Mark Tveskov

Adjunct Faculty: Jack Bynum, Keith Chambers, Robert Horton, James Phillips, Kevin Preister, Kathryn Winthrop, Robert Winthrop, Bonnie Yates, Grace Zilverberg

Sociology offers theories and methods for analyzing and working in groups ranging through families, business firms, and voluntary and public agencies. Sociology is a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in social research, criminology, demography, social psychology, public administration, gerontology, education, rehabilitation, social work, and market research. It provides useful background for law, business, medicine, community planning, architecture, and politics. In many professional schools, courses in sociology are part of the required training.

Those with a bachelor's degree in sociology and allied specialties such as gender and ethnic studies are not typically hired as professional sociologists, but they do qualify for jobs as research assistants, group workers, teachers (with certification), administrative assistants, probation and parole workers, career counselors, community planners, editorial assistants, social workers (without certification), statistical assistants, interviewers, and recreation workers. Students planning careers as professional sociologists should obtain a graduate degree in sociology.

Anthropology's diverse subject matter, the study of human beings in all times and places, reflects the discipline's interest in human culture from the Paleolithic past to contemporary times; in exotic, distant societies and myriad subcultures of our own Western world; in the biological bases of human behavior and our most elaborate cultural creations; and in the interaction of diverse peoples in colonial and modern contexts. Anthropology's methods, grounded in the practical realities of daily life and direct ethnographic research, are cross-culturally applicable. Perhaps its greatest strength, however, is the perspective it seeks to promote: an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, human universals, and the dynamic potential of human culture.

The anthropology program has an applied emphasis in cultural anthropology and archaeology. Undergraduate preparation in cultural anthropology provides theories and methods for living and working in all human societies. Training in anthropology can make people more effective as advocates, mediators, and translators in contexts involving minority cultures or different cultural philosophies. It can provide a basis for careers in human services, education, medicine, development work, public administration, and business.

Archaeology examines material remains to understand and explain past and present human behavior. Archaeologists excavate and analyze tools, textiles, pottery, and other artifacts of prehistoric peoples to reconstruct ancient cultures. They also investigate the cultural interaction of Western and non Western societies. A major branch of contemporary archaeology deals with preserving knowledge of our country's past through cultural resource management and historic preservation.

Practical applications are emphasized in the anthropology program in coursework and discussions. Students are encouraged to expand on this by seeking internships and practicum placements that match their specific interests and fully develop their anthropological skills. The department's close and supportive relationships with local groups and organizations provide a basis for meaningful student involvement in problem solving. Practical experiences culminate in a senior capstone project designed and carried out under faculty supervision.

Degrees

Minors

Sociology, anthropology

Certificates

Becoming a Sociology Major

Potential sociology majors apply to the department by submitting a personal statement describing their goals, evidence of a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in Soc 204 and Anth 213, and evidence of having completed Goals 1 and 3 (math and writing). Transfer students must provide GPA evidence from their previous institutions. All candidates work with an advisor from the department at the time of the application. The application process is competitive; the department notifies students who have succeeded in becoming majors. Some upper division courses in the field are restricted to majors.

Requirements for Sociology Major

1. The general education requirements for all arts and sciences degrees as stated beginning on page 31.

2. A minimum of 56 credits in sociology or anthropology; 48 credits must be upper division, 8 credits must be lower division. Of the 48 upper division credits, 16 are upper division Soc/Anth electives; 8 of these electives must be in sociology (excluding practicum).

3. Literacy requirements:

4. An average GPA of 2.5 in all sociology and anthropology courses.

Interdisciplinary Requirement in Sociology

As with the sociology major, students who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree in interdisciplinary studies with sociology as a major field need to apply to the department by submitting a personal statement describing their goals for the major, evidence of a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in Soc 204 and evidence of having completed Goals 1 and 3 (math and writing). Transfer students must provide GPA evidence from their previous institutions. All candidates need to work with an advisor from the department at the time of application. The application process is competitive. The department will notify applicants if they qualify as interdisciplinary degree students with a primary field in sociology. Some courses in the field are restricted to majors and interdisciplinary degree candidates with sociology as the primary field.

Capstone

Sociology majors have a choice of two capstone experiences. Either choice requires students to bring their expertise in the discipline to bear on new problems. In one case, this is done in a seminar where students review textbooks and prepare groupbased instructional presentations on key concepts. Following this review, groups research current controversies in the field and again instruct their peers in the implications of different positions taken with regard to these controversies. The other capstone experience provides students with an opportunity to apply their expertise in individual research and analysis of a selected issue or problem.

Sociology Core Courses

(56 credits)

*Must be taken from Department of Sociology.

**Courses limited to majors or to interdisciplinary majors with sociology as the primary field.

Sociology Minor

(24 credits)

Students are required to register with a minor advisor through the department office.

Required Courses

Becoming an Anthropology Major

Students who want to major in anthropology must apply to the department by submitting a personal statement describing their goals in the major, evidence of a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in Anth 211, Anth 213, and Anth 301 and evidence of having completed general education Goal 1 (writing). Transfer students must provide GPA evidence from their previous institutions. All candidates need to be working with an advisor from the department at the time of the application. The application is a selective process; the department will notify students of its decision. Certain upper division courses in the field are restricted to majors.

Requirements for Anthropology Major

1. The general education requirements for all arts and sciences degrees as stated on page 31.

2. A minimum of 52 credits in the major, 44 of which must be upper division.

3. Literacy requirements:

4. A GPA of 2.5 in courses taken for the major.

Capstone

The anthropology capstone is the final senior project developed by a student to demonstrate competence in anthropological research. The capstone integrates relevant theory and methodology and reflects student learning in an area of applied anthropology. The student draws on ethnographic or archaeological expertise acquired through previous practicum field experiences and coursework.

Anthropology Core Courses

(52 credits)

2. Application. One course (4 credits) from:

3. Methods. One course (4 credits) from:

4. Theory. Two courses (8 credits), one of which must be Anth 410 or Anth 420.

6. Senior Capstone (Anth 414) 4

7. Specialized interests. Two or more courses

(8 credits) in anthropology or a related discipline. Selection must fit with individual orientation and must be approved by advisor.

Anthropology Minor

(28 credits)

Students who are working towards a minor in anthropology are required to register with an advisor through the department office.

Required Courses

Information on Applied Certificates and Interdisciplinary Studies in Anthropology

Requirements for Certificate in Applied Cultural Anthropology

(34 credits)

The Applied Cultural Anthropology Certificate program prepares students for careers in human services, multicultural education, and other fields where cross-cultural or international perspectives are essential. Emphasis is placed on culturally related problems, preparing research designs, collecting and analyzing data, and recommending policy. To qualify for the certificate, students must also meet the requirements of a bachelor's degree program (not necessarily anthropology) at SOU. The following courses or their approved transfer equivalents are required of all candidates for this certificate.

1. Core courses. 20 credits required:

 

2. Specialized focus. 14 credits required:

Requirements for the 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 placed 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 program (not necessarily anthropology). The following courses or their approved transfer equivalents are required of all candidates for this certificate.

1. Core courses. 20 credits required:

2. Specialized focus. 16 credits required:

The remaining 8 credits are to be selected from upper division offerings in sociology and anthropology and/or from other departments in consultation with the student's advisor. These courses and the content of the required practicum and capstone should be consistent with each student's focus and professional or career goal.