Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology: Major聽
Anthropology: Major, Minor

The sociology and anthropology department will challenge you to critically examine continuing and urgent issues of inequality and social marginalization, focusing on complex human interactions in diverse cultures within a globalized world.聽

You will learn to analyze structures of power and hierarchy, draw connections between your personal experiences and larger social and historical processes, as well as question preconceived ideas about the nature of society and representation of cultures around the world. Our graduates enter a wide variety of occupations well prepared with sharp analytical skills and as knowledgeable and engaged citizens.

The department combines a humanistic concern for the quality and diversity of human life with a commitment to the empirical analysis of culture and society. The sociology curriculum will give you qualitative and quantitative research skills to tackle pressing 21st century issues. Courses draw attention to history, culture, and social structure and their effects on people’s lives. The anthropology curriculum focuses on human cultural experiences around the world, with an emphasis on the contemporary challenges wrought by globalization. Courses often highlight the geographical areas in which faculty work (Latin America, Asia, and Africa) and focus on a diverse range of topics.

Sociology and Anthropology Department Statement on Black Lives Matter: Racial Justice and Action

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Program Highlights

Classes in sociology and anthropology give students the analytical tools to apply to complex issues that face us in the 21st century, including:

  • Global structures of inequality
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Power and class
  • Religion
  • Environment
  • Media and popular culture
  • Health, medicine, and the body
  • Social movements
  • Family and kinship
  • Work and employment
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Opportunities

From internships to study abroad to independent research, opportunities abound for sociology and anthropology students.

Students in a garden
In the Community

Many department courses engage students in community-based learning, where academic learning and civic engagement meet.

Alumni in Rehm Library
Careers

Graduates apply their skills in many careers, including business, health, education, marketing, and non-profits.

Sociology and Anthropology News

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Blog: Olson 鈥17 Embraces Spanish Language and Culture During Study Abroad
NAME Ali Olson 鈥17 HOMETOWN Sioux Falls, S.D. AREAS OF STUDY Spanish major, anthropology minor, Latin American and Latino studies concentration WHERE SHE鈥橲 STUDYING University of Leon in Leon, Spain WHY SHE CHOSE SPAIN 鈥淚 chose to study in Spain 鈥
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The 海角社区 Community to Raise Awareness for Refugee Crisis With a Weeklong Series of Events
海角社区 students, faculty and staff, will host 鈥淩efugee Awareness Week鈥 now through Oct. 29. The week will help raise awareness for the complex social justice issues surrounding the ongoing refugee crisis around the world. 鈥淩efugee Awareness 鈥
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Video: 海角社区 Faculty Offer Multidisciplinary Analysis of Pope鈥檚 Encyclical on Environment
In advance of Pope Francis鈥 historic visit to the United States, a multidisciplinary panel of 海角社区 faculty shared their perspectives on his encyclical letter, 鈥淟audato si鈥: On Care for Our Common Home,鈥 released in May. The panel, speaking before 鈥