Sociology and Anthropology Major

Maria Luisa Amado, Assistant Professor, Chair

Edwins Gwako, Associate Professor
Thomas Guthrie, Assistant Professor

Naadiya Hasan, Assistant Professor
Martha Lang, Visiting Assistant Professor

Julie Winterich, Assistant Professor

Sociologists and anthropologists study society and culture. Since people live every aspect of life within a complex, socio-cultural environment, it is possible to develop the self fully only with extensive knowledge of that environment. Sociology and anthropology help provide specific knowledge and theoretical frameworks as bases for understanding our relationships with society, culture and each other and for comprehending and guiding socio-cultural change.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology uses the methods, theories and content of both fields in a scientific and humanistic context that emphasizes an objective appraisal of social life, concern for its quality and techniques for its improvement. Career preparation is important in the department and is based on the conceptualization of sociology and anthropology as both humanistic and scientific. By engaging students in the critical analysis of the institutions and human practices that produce and reproduce social structures, cultures and individual identities, students should be equipped with a perspective that enables them to analyze, comprehend and offer creative solutions for personal and organizational dilemmas, as well as larger social problems.

During the college years, there are many opportunities for internships with various kinds of private and public agencies, independent study projects, off‑campus seminars, special topics seminars and honors work. There are ample opportunities to study with instructors who are seriously concerned with the best development of each student and who have made major commitments to high-quality teaching. A semester or a summer of study abroad or in a markedly different part of the student’s own culture also is encouraged to help strengthen the cross‑cultural perspective.

In addition to the specific content listed, each course focuses to some extent on social processes, especially those that help to create and resolve social problems.

SOAN 337 Social Research Methods, SOAN 342 Social Theory, and the 400-level capstone course will not be accepted as transfer credit and may not be taken at a consortium school.

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in sociology and anthropology.

Major Requirements

The sociology and anthropology major requires a minimum of 32 credit hours (eight courses).

1.  SOAN 101 Principles of Sociology or
SOAN 102 Social Problems	4 credits
2.  SOAN 103 Cultural Anthropology	4 credits
3.  One elective at the 200 level	4 credits
4.   One elective at the 300 level	4 credits
5.   One elective at any level (excluding SOAN 101 and 102)	4 credits
6.  SOAN 337 Social Research Methods	4 credits
7.  SOAN 342 Social Theory	4 credits
8.  One course from SOAN 413, 415, 425, 429, or 450 taken either in the senior year, or after all other	4 credits
requirements have been fulfilled
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in sociology and anthropology	32 credits

Beyond the four courses specifically required, the variety of offerings makes it possible for each student to tailor a program to individual interests and long‑range plans.  Students may train for a wide range of careers, prepare for graduate school or may seek certification for elementary school teaching. Students considering graduate school in sociology or social work are strongly encouraged to take an elementary statistics course at Guilford or elsewhere.  A minor, arranged with the help of an adviser, can support and broaden the emphasis in the major.

Notes:

• A student may substitute one internship or independent study at the 200 or 300 level for one elective at the same level.  Students may not receive credit at the 400 level for an independent study (except in the case of seniors who begin an honors thesis that ultimately does not meet the standards for an honors thesis).
• Under special circumstances, with the approval of the department chair, a student may substitute a second 300-level elective for the required 200-level elective.

Credit for courses taken at other institutions or while studying abroad:  Before attending other institutions, students should obtain a “Request to Take Coursework at Another Institution” form from the Registrar’s Office and have their courses approved in writing by the SOAN department chair.  Departmental approval to take a course off campus is contingent upon the content and evaluation requirements of the course (which should meet SOAN departmental standards), whether the course is regularly offered by the SOAN Department, the student’s academic standing and level, and the extent to which the course is consistent with the student’s educational goals.