Department of Sociology and Anthropology

ContactsDr. Kristi McLeod, Chair

Sociology

Sociology is the study of human societies. We ask basic questions like “why do humans do what we do” and “how does society work.” Along the way we pick up essential human questions like: What does it mean when we say that we live in a socially constructed reality? What is the place of the individual in society? Do we have “free will,” or are our personal actions determined by social forces? Is social life really what Thomas Hobbes called the “war of all against all”? Why do we have social order?

If you have ever thought about questions like these, you might want to consider a degree in Sociology. Humans are social beings and we interact in a social environment. Sociology is the scientific discipline that studies human behavior and social interactions of individuals, groups, organizations and whole societies. Sociology is a science, and was identified in the 1830s as one of the five “mother sciences” along with astronomy, chemistry, physics, and biology, and as such overlaps with other social sciences (Political Science, Economics, Psychology, and Anthropology) though we maintain our unique perspective. Sociology focuses primarily on contemporary societies, though we incorporate a historical and developmental perspective.

The Sociology program at Marshall University offers students the opportunity to study the intricacies of social life: how to negotiate the collaboratively constructed institutions through which our social world works, how social stratification affects opportunities for individuals and groups, how to critically analyze the problems inherent in the way we construct society, how to empirically determine the facts we construct into truths. The social and analytical skills developed through the program are essential for any job dealing with people and organizations – especially those dealing in multiethnic and global environments and that require breadth and adaptability.

You don’t often see jobs with “sociologist” in the title, but a Sociology B.A. is recognized as an excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations, especially for careers in social policy, education, union organizing or other social movements, health care, criminology, aging network, industrial or public relations, marketing, human resource management, organizational research, or community and social services. Of course, Marshall’s Sociology program also offers an excellent preparation for professional degrees and/or advanced degrees in Sociology. A recent study by CareerCast.com ranked Sociology as the eighth most appealing job in its analysis of 200 occupations based on job characteristics such as perceived work environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands, security, and stress.

The Sociology program at Marshall seeks to ensure that each student develops a solid foundation in the principles, theories and techniques of analysis in the discipline. While allowing for flexibility to accommodate students’ diverse interests, the curriculum ensures that students are introduced to social theory, learn to employ the basic methods of the discipline, and take courses that provide a good orientation in the discipline both in breadth and depth.

Students majoring or minoring in Sociology are strongly encouraged to discuss with an advisor (in the department and/or in the office of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts) ways in which the requirements in the major/minor simultaneously cover parts of the general education requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and/or the Core Curriculum.

Honors in Sociology

The very best Sociology students are encouraged to consider graduating with program honors. To graduate with Honors in Sociology a student must enroll in two subsequent 3 credit courses for a total of 6 credits over one year. A 3 credit SOC 485 Independent Study followed by SOC 493 Senior Seminar II will be the ordinary sequence, but if necessary the courses can be taken in the reversed order.

The prerequisites for obtaining permission to pursue the Honors in Sociology option are: the student must be a declared Sociology major in Junior or Senior standing, have a GPA in all concluded Sociology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and have a written agreement with a faculty member, who will act as the advisor. In the first term, the student will prepare a study plan and literature review for an independent research project; at the end of the term, this work must be presented to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together determine the grade.

The prerequisites for pursuing the second term of the honors option include: an “A” in the first term, a GPA in all concluded Sociology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and written permission by the advisor. In the second semester, the student will conduct the proposed research project and report her/his findings (the report will ordinarily be a written paper, but can be supplemented by presentations in other media – an exhibition, a film, etc.). At the end of the term, this work must be presented to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together determine the grade. The grade “A” for the work in the second term will be recognized on the student’s transcript as “Graduating with Honors in Sociology.”

Anthropology

Anthropology is the systematic study of humans, their practices, and the myriad ways they experience these practices. Anthropologists study humanity in its diverse cultural, social, physical and linguistic forms. As an academic discipline, Anthropology bridges the humanities and social sciences in addressing fundamental questions having to do not only with how the human world works and how people negotiate their social and cultural realities but also with what it means to be human. Anthropology draws from prehistorical, historical, and contemporary cases and is distinct in addressing all levels of sociopolitical organization and subsistence strategies ranging from foraging bands and horticultural tribes to modern industrialized states and the globalized realities of the world today. Anthropology is, by its nature, interdisciplinary and international in both theory and practice.

Our program offers students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to thoroughly and creatively explore the world and peoples around them. Anthropology classes stress the exchange of ideas and build strength in critical thinking, communication, and intellectual exploration. An anthropological perspective will become increasingly important in the 21st century. There is today a growing demand for sensitivity to the values, beliefs, and cultural structures of other groups that might be different from one’s own. In all parts of society, people progressively need the ability to live, work, and appreciate diversity while simultaneously becoming more aware of the relations that connect various groups and the commonalities they share.

As reported by the American Anthropological Association and the Society for American Archaeology, demand for graduates with degrees in Anthropology is high. Anthropology graduates work in many fields in which research on humans and their behavior is needed, including private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Anthropology majors commonly find employment in state and federal governments, non-governmental and other international aid organizations, education, business, human resources, social work, historical resource management/field-technicians in archaeology, and, increasingly, health care. Many Anthropology majors continue to graduate school in such fields as: Anthropology, History, Law, Geography or Medicine.

The Anthropology program at Marshall University seeks to ensure that each student develops a solid foundation in the basic principles, theories and techniques of analysis within the discipline. The curriculum ensures that students are introduced to all four disciplinary subfields: social-cultural anthropology, physical-biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics. Since students majoring in anthropology vary in their interests and career goals, the curriculum allows for flexibility in developing individual courses of study, including opportunities for involvement in faculty research through course offerings and independent study.

Honors in Anthropology

The very best Anthropology students are encouraged to consider graduating with program honors. To graduate with Honors in Anthropology a student must enroll in two subsequent 3 credit courses for a total of 6 credits over one year. A 3 credit ANT 485 Independent Study followed by ANT 493 Senior Seminar II will be the ordinary sequence, but if necessary the courses can be taken in the reversed order.

The prerequisites for obtaining permission to pursue the Honors in Anthropology option are: the student must be a declared Anthropology major in Junior or Senior standing, have a GPA in all concluded Anthropology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and have a written agreement with a faculty member, who will act as the advisor. In the first term, the student will prepare a study plan and literature review for an independent research project; at the end of the term, this work must be presented to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together determine the grade.

The prerequisites for pursuing the second term of the honors option include: an “A” in the first term, a GPA in all concluded Anthropology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and written permission by the advisor. In the second semester, the student will conduct the proposed research project and report her/his findings (the report will ordinarily be a written paper, but can be supplemented by presentations in other media – an exhibition, a film, etc.). At the end of the term, this work must be presented to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together determine the grade. The grade “A” for the work in the second term will be recognized on the student’s transcript as “Graduating with Honors in Anthropology.”

Programs

Courses

Bison image - General Education Course

Course Listing

Anthropology
Sociology

Anthropology

ANT 201 Cultural Anthropology (CT)3 Credit hours

Introduction to the scientific study of culture with emphasis on the cultures of small-scale societies. This class emphasizes critical thinking skills.

Attributes: Critical Thinking, International, Core II Social Sciences