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  Sociology and Anthropology Department

Sociology and Anthropology Department

Division of Social Sciences

Associate Professor Melissa A. Johnson, PhD, Chair

Professor Dan C. Hilliard, PhD

Professor Edward L. Kain, PhD

Associate Professor Maria R. Lowe, PhD

Assistant Professor M. Cristina Alcalde, PhD

Assistant Professor Sandi Kawecka Nenga, PhD

Visiting Instructor Stephen Cherry, MA

Scholar-in-Residence Jennifer Esperanza, MA

Instructor Kim Baker, MA (part-time)

Instructor Ritu Khanduri, MA, ABD (part-time)

At the heart of Sociology and Anthropology lies an interest in understanding the ways in which group membership, cultural context and social hierarchies affect people’s lived experiences and world views. Combining sociology’s focus on contemporary and historical patterns of social interaction with anthropology’s interests in systems of shared and contested cultural meanings, the department’s offerings encourage awareness and understanding of human diversity and cultural variation locally and globally. We are especially interested in examining the ways in which race, class, gender and other social attributes operate within systems of domination and resistance. Coursework within our department will challenge students to examine some of their most basic assumptions about the world and will contribute to a critical understanding of how the social world operates—an essential characteristic of a liberally educated global citizen. As a progressive department, we encourage in our students a commitment to social justice based on an appreciation of social and cultural diversity and an awareness of social inequality. Faculty members’ teaching and research embrace this commitment in a variety of ways, and we encourage students to use the knowledge, skills and perspectives they have gained through courses and other work with us to promote positive social change.

Graduates of the Sociology and Anthropology Department are well prepared to enter leading graduate programs in Anthropology, Sociology, Law, Social Work, Public Health, International Development, Latin American Studies and Public Policy. Recent graduates have found work in community development, public health, marketing and a variety of non-profit organizations. Others have joined the Peace Corps, Americorps, Vista and similar kinds of programs. Our graduates live and work throughout the United States and world.

The department seeks to emphasize how the two disciplines of Sociology and Anthropology complement each other. The department offers majors in both Sociology and Anthropology and a paired major in Sociology and Anthropology, as well as minors in both fields. The paired major is attained by double counting Anthropology 35-103 and Sociology 34-113 or 123.

Sociology

Although it is a diverse field, sociology is united in (1) its acknowledgment that race, gender and class deeply affect our perceptions and lived experiences, (2) its focus on inter-group comparisons and (3) recognition of the sociological imagination as the foundation of the discipline. The sociology major is designed to help students critically examine the mutual link between our daily experiences and larger social structures. Though we specialize in social patterns and processes in the United States, we connect these issues to larger transnational phenomena. Our courses focus on topics germane to our current global society and issues of race/class/gender across the curriculum. Courses address: the increasing role of the mass media; the significance of sport in society; issues of personal and public health and health policy; global population change and policy; family structure and change in settings around the globe, and how the social and cultural construction of gender shapes these global patterns and changes; the causes and consequences of grassroots protest movements; the increase in the unequal distribution of resources within and across nations; the ways that gender is constructed by a range of interlocking inequalities; how race and ethnicity are constructed, maintained and challenged individually, institutionally, and culturally; the ways that social class is reproduced and maintained in the United States; the stigmatization and social construction of disability; and children’s peer cultures as a site where inequalities are both challenged and reaffirmed.

Students seeking a major in Sociology will complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The major in Sociology is built around a cumulative curriculum with courses at four different levels. 100-level courses are introductory, and serve as prerequisites for most of the courses at the 200-level or above. Courses at the 200-level include courses required of all sociology majors as well as courses which serve a broad audience of majors and non-majors. Courses at the 300 and 400-level are primarily for sociology majors and minors or other students with a particular interest in the discipline. In general, students should take at least two other courses in sociology and anthropology before taking 300 or 400-level courses. Courses at the 900-level are designed for senior sociology majors, but others may enroll in these courses with the permission of the instructor. Descriptions of the skills built at each level of the curriculum are found in the handbook on the departmental homepage at www.southwestern.edu/academic/depts/socanthro/handbook.htm. Majors are encouraged to take at least one course from each of the following categories: Institutions (34-243, 253, 333, 343, 614), Social Structure (34-233, 263, 274, 313), Social processes and change (34-352, 34-412). Majors are also encouraged to enroll for independent research or an academic internship during their senior year.

Anthropology

The Anthropology major is designed to develop a critical awareness and understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the relevance and application of anthropological perspectives and methods to contemporary issues. The major provides a well-balanced intellectual and practical background for a broad range of careers and fields of graduate study, particularly those that require culturally-sensitive approaches or multicultural perspectives. Geographically, the department specializes in the Caribbean, Latin America and Latinos in the United States. Topically, courses cover issues central to our contemporary global society: questions of race, class and gender; power and violence; cross-cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity; environmental injustice; global inequality; migration and identity; and advocacy and activism. Anthropology majors acquire solid grounding in both the social and cultural theory employed and generated by anthropologists and the ethnographic methods that define our discipline. A critical component of the Anthropology major is the field experience as described below.

Students seeking a major in Anthropology complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad programs and are required to complete a field experience in which they collect ethnographic data for their capstone. This requirement can be fulfilled in a variety of ways, including the following: field component of approved study abroad programs (such as School for International Training or Minnesota Studies in International Development); independent research (credited as an Independent Study); summer field program offered by another institution; approved academic internship; or field research with Southwestern Anthropology faculty. As early as possible in their academic career, majors should meet with one of the Anthropology professors to determine how best to fulfill this requirement, and to ensure that the ethnographic data they gather will be sufficient for their capstone project.

Major in Sociology: 32 semester hours, including Anthropology 35-103; Sociology 34-113 or 123; 34-201/ 203 (to be taken in the sophomore or junior year), 213, 964 (Capstone, to be taken in the senior year); 15 additional hours of Sociology, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level (eight of these hours may be in Anthropology).

Required supporting course in the Sociology major: Mathematics 52-113.

Additional requirements for the Sociology major: Successful completion of a senior oral examination during the last semester of study; completion of the Major Field Examination in Sociology sometime during the senior year.

Minor in Sociology: 18 semester hours, including Sociology 34-113 or 123; 15 additional semester hours of Sociology, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level (four of these hours may be in Anthropology).

Major in Anthropology: 32 semester hours, including Anthropology 35-103, 203 (to be taken in the sophomore or junior year), 214 (to be taken in the sophomore or junior year), 964 (Capstone, to be taken in the senior year); Sociology 34-113 or 123; 15 additional hours of Anthropology above the introductory level (eight of these hours may be in Sociology).

Additional requirements for the Anthropology major: Field Experience as described above; successful completion of a senior oral examination during the last semester of study.

Minor in Anthropology: 18 semester hours, including Anthropology 35-103; 15 additional semester hours of Anthropology, at least 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level (four of these hours may be in Sociology).

Sociology (SOC)

34-113SOCIAL PATTERNS AND PROCESSES. A basic course in the analysis of social institutions and communities calling on various perspectives, including models from functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Principles of modern sociology are taught by application to specific topics ranging from community to family and gender relations to sport and leisure. (Each semester) (ScS)
34-123SOCIAL PROBLEMS. This course focuses on the “sociological imagination” understanding how individuals’ lives are shaped by larger social and historical forces – through an examination of specific social problems that may include welfare policy, crime and delinquency, racial inequality and poverty. (ScS)
34-203, 201RESEARCH METHODS. Acquaints majors and minors in sociology with the procedures for gathering and analyzing sociological data. Students in Research Methods will meet for weekly lab sessions in addition to the lecture and discussion times. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123, and Mathematics 52-113. (Annually) (ScS)
34-213 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY. Contributions made to sociological theory beginning in the mid-19th century to the present. Prerequisite: An introductory sociology course. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. (Annually) (ScS)
34-223 CONFORMITY, DEVIANCE AND IDENTITY. A study of the societal definition of deviant behavior, causes of deviant behavior and social control. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. (ScS)
34-233 GENDER AND SEXUALITY. The course examines the historical, social and cultural construction of gender, focusing on the ways that femininities and masculinities are constructed from infancy through adulthood in the United States. Also included is an exploration of the construction of sexualities, and the effects of constructing some sexualities as “deviant” and others as “normal.” The class will analyze the patterns and fluctuations in sexual and gender constructs across racial, ethnic and social class categories. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Feminist Studies 04-233. (Annually) (ScS)
34-243 FAMILIES IN SOCIETY. The study of families in historical, social and cultural perspective, including analysis of variation in family experience by race and ethnicity, class and gender. Processes of mate selection, marriage patterns, and the formation of families, households, and kin groups are covered. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Feminist Studies 04-243. (Offered each year) (ScS)
34-253 SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT. The study of sport as an institution of modern societies, and considering its relationship to other major social patterns of those societies, such as gender, race relations, political and economic structures, higher education and the mass media. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Kinesiology 48-353. (ScS)
34-263Race and ethnicity. This course examines the ways that race and ethnicity have historically been and currently are constructed, maintained, and challenged individually, institutionally and culturally. In addition, the class explores how our American experiences as well as our life chances are shaped and modified by our ethnic and racial group histories and memberships. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. (ScS)
34-274CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE. The course examines how the historical and social construction of childhood and adolescence intersect with major social institutions. It introduces the social organization underlying children’s and adolescents’ social interactions, agency and peer cultures, and considers the ways these vary according to gender, race and class. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Feminist Studies 04-294. (ScS)
34-313 SOCIAL CLASS IN THE U.S. The study of the construction, maintenance, and consequences of social inequalities in the United States, based on the review of classical and contemporary theories, empirical research and biographical accounts. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Feminist Studies 04-583. (ScS)
34-333 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY. Applies sociological methods and concepts to the field of illness and health care in modern societies, dealing with such topics as social epidemiology, social psychological aspects of illness, and systems of health care financing and delivery. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. (ScS)
34-343 ORGANIZATION THEORY AND DESIGN. Prerequisites: for Business majors-Business 30-323; for Sociology majors-Sociology 34-113. See Business 30-553. (ScS)
34-352 DEMOGRAPHY: WORLD POPULATION GEOGRAPHY. The study of the major demographic processes of fertility, mortality and migration. Students will examine global demographic patterns and trends in all world regions, with specific case studies in a number of countries. This is a half-semester course, offered the first half of the semester. Also Environmental Studies 49-352. (ScS)
34-412 URBAN SOCIOLOGY. An analysis of urban patterns, employing the two theoretical traditions of urban ecology and political economy. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of global cities. An understanding of demographic patterns and processes is assumed. This is a half-semester course, offered the second half of the semester in conjunction with SOC34-352. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-352 or another demography course. (ScS)
34-614LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS. See Political Science 32-614. (ScS)
34-764ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS. See Political Science 32-764. (ScS)

34-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
34-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
34-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
34-943 or 946 SOCIOLOGICAL PRACTICUM. Field experience in community
agencies or institutions under direct supervision of trained personnel.
Provision for the experience is made within the framework of
Southwestern University’s Academic Internship Program. Prerequisite:
Sociology major of senior standing or permission of instructor.
34-951, 952, 953, 954 INDEPENDENT STUDY. Prerequisites: Senior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. May be repeated with change in content.
34-964 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: SELECTED TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY. The sociology capstone requires students to develop a major empirical paper that incorporates knowledge they have learned from their sociology courses to date, particularly sociological theory and research methods. Students will construct a coherent research question, collect and analyze data to explore the question, and apply sociological theories and literature to their findings. They will present their findings at the end of the semester to the professor, their classmates, and possibly others. In seminar format, students will discuss common readings and constructively critique one another’s research. Peer-review, with class periods devoted entirely to students’ research work, will be a core component of this course. Prerequisite: senior sociology major and permission of instructor. (ScS)
34-983 HONORS. By invitation only.

Anthropology (ANT)

35-103 INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY. This course provides a critical understanding of the similarities and differences in cultures and peoples through time and space and of the application of anthropological knowledge to contemporary global issues. Topics covered may include the history of anthropology; human evolution; the idea of race; gender across cultures; kinship; political organization; economies; consumption; religion; language; ethics; and fieldwork. (Each semester) (ScS) (IP)
35-203 ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY. This course introduces students to the major theories of human society and culture that anthropologists have developed. The course will begin with early travel writing, and then move through the late 19th to the mid-20th Century. At least half of the course will cover contemporary, or post-1970s, anthropological theory (such as feminist and post-modernist theories, cultural studies, theories of culture and power). Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103. Offered fall of even-numbered years. (ScS)
35-214ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS. This course introduces students to the variety of field methods employed by cultural anthropologists (e.g. participant observation, interviewing techniques and other qualitative and quantitative methods). Students will be expected to use these methods themselves in projects throughout the course. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103. Offered spring of odd-numbered years. (ScS)
35-223LATIN AMERICAN CULTURES. This course explores contemporary Latin America through an in-depth analysis of the following five themes: ethnicity and face; gender and sexuality; poverty, urbanization, and violence; the United States in Latin America; immigration and transnationalism. Cases from different parts of Latin America will be examined, with special emphasis on Andean South America. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103 or permission of instructor. (ScS)
35-233LATINO CULTURES IN THE U.S. This course explores immigration patterns from Latin America and the experiences of Latinos and Latinas in the United States, including: What it means to be Latino/a; the roles of language, gender, class, national origin, and race in Latino and Latina identities; the cultural traits that Latinos and Latinas have in common with each other and with other Americans; and the differences that exist among Latinos, Latinas and other Americans. Issues of history, culture, gender, class, language, human rights and representations will be explored. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103. (ScS)
35-324GENDER, POWER AND VIOLENCE. This course examines state, institutional, and interpersonal violence in different cultural settings (especially in Latin America) to analyze how gender and power are articulated through each of these forms of violence. Writings by scholars and activists from diverse backgrounds and case studies from around the world challenge participants to think across disciplinary and national boundaries. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103. Also Feminist Studies 04-384. (ScS)
35-343RACE, CLASS AND GENDER IN THE CARIBBEAN. This course critically examines how the constructs of race, class and gender shape everyday life in the Caribbean. The course will cover history and politics, language, music, “sports” (public fun! From cricket to Christmas to Carnival), families and social organization, religions and health, development migration and tourism. Throughout the course, the global nature of Caribbean cultures will be considered. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103 or Feminist Studies 04-103. Also Feminist Studies 04-323. (ScS)
35-434GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. An exploration of global environmental issues from a perspective that foregrounds questions of social inequality (differences in wealth, race, gender, indigeneity, national identity, etc.). Following an overview of the U.S. environmental justice movement, and a consideration of global inequality, global issues such as global climate change, consumerism, pollution and toxic substances, economic development, agriculture, resource extraction and bio-diversity conservation are examined. Student research projects are a critical component of this course. Prerequisite: Anthropology 35-103, Environmental Studies 49-101 or Feminist Studies 04-103. Also Environmental Studies 49-444, Feminist Studies 04-494. (ScS)
35-463WOMEN GODDESSES AND RELIGION. See Religion 19-323. (H) (R)
35-473GENDER AND GENERATION IN AFRICA. See History 16-473. (H)
35-764ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS. See Political Science 32-764. (ScS)

35-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
35-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. These are courses that fall out of our typical range of anthropology courses. Offered infrequently. May be repeated with content change.
35-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
35-941, 942, 943, 944ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP.
35-951, 952, 953, 954INDEPENDENT STUDY. Prerequisites: Junior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. (May be repeated with change in content.)
35-964 SENIOR SEMINAR. The anthropology capstone requires students to develop a major paper, ideally from the data generated by their field research project (requirement IV). In this endeavor, students will apply current anthropological theory to their findings and construct a coherent argument that weaves together the relevant theory and their data. Students will work with each other and their professor throughout the capstone. Peer-review, with class periods being entirely devoted to each student’s work in turn, will be a fundamental part of this course. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (ScS)
35-983HONORS. By invitation only.