Anthropology and Sociology

Faculty

Allison D. Harnish, chair and associate professor.
B.A., Western Kentucky University; Ph.D., University of Kentucky. Appointed 2013.

Bradley A. Chase, associate professor.
B.A., Northwestern University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison. Appointed 2008.

Blake Darling, visiting assistant professor.
B.A., Albion College; M.A,, Western Michigan University. Appointed 2023.

Allison Jendry James, visiting assistant professor.
B.A., University of Michigan-Flint; M.A., Eastern Michigan University. Appointed 2021.

Scott A. Melzer, professor.
B.A., University of Florida; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside. Appointed 2004.

Kaitlyn Sanders, vistiting assistant professor.
B.A., Yale University; M.S. Mercyhurst University; Ph.D. Purdue University. Appointed 2023.

Lynn M. Verduzco-Baker, associate professor.
B.A., California State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 2011.

Our Mission

Anthropology and sociology are distinct disciplines united by a common interest in understanding humans and their communities. To this end, both programs focus on teaching majors, minors, and non-majors with the empirical methods, interpretive theories, and substantive findings of their respective disciplines that will allow them to understand the human condition across the full range of human global diversity—past and present. We pay particular attention to increasing students’ knowledge of how race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and social class are socially constructed in particular environmental contexts through time. We teach students to think analytically, critically, and creatively and to express themselves effectively. We emphasize the importance of research skills that foster students’ intellectual abilities to master the applications of anthropology and sociology to prepare them for graduate school, for employment, and to bring about positive change in the world.

Career Opportunities

Knowledge and skills gained through the study of anthropology and sociology are valuable in everyday life and in a wide variety of careers. Training in anthropology and sociology may be especially valuable for students interested in pursuing careers in international business, public administration, market research, law enforcement, job counseling, human services, public health, international diplomacy, medical social work, foreign assistance, hospital administration, service agency planning, journalism and management.

A bachelor’s degree in anthropology/sociology prepares students for graduate study and employment in fields such as law, urban planning, labor relations, personnel management, hospital administration, corrections, school administration, public health and museum management, as well as research and teaching in the fields of anthropology and sociology. Recent graduates from the department have become biostatisticians, urban planners, lawyers, biological anthropologists, congressional staff workers, physicians, nurses, news reporters and church field staff workers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Anthropology

Major

Students will be able to evaluate empirical research methods and interpretations in anthropology.
Students will be able to assess anthropological theories.
Students will be able to analyze global cultural diversity, past and present.
Students will be able to interpret global inequities, past and present.
Students will be able to develop independent scholarly research.

Minor

Students will be able to describe empirical research methods and interpretations in anthropology.
Students will be able to apply anthropological theories.
Students will be able to identify global cultural diversity, past and present.
Students will be able to recognize global inequities, past and present.

Sociology

Major

Students will be able to evaluate qualitative and quantitative research methods and interpretations in sociology.
Students will be able to assess sociological theories.
Students will be able to analyze the social construction of intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.
Students will be able to interpret structural inequities in social and historical context.
Students will be able to develop independent scholarly research.

Minor

Students will be able to describe qualitative and quantitative research methods and interpretations in sociology.
Students will be able to apply sociological theories.
Students will be able to identify the social construction of intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.
Students will be able to recognize structural inequities in social and historical context.

Anthropology-Sociology

Major

Students will be able to evaluate empirical research methods and interpretations in anthropology and sociology.
Students will be able to assess anthropological and/or sociological theories.
Students will be able to analyze global cultural diversity, past and present.
Students will be able to analyze the social construction of intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.
Students will be able to interpret structural inequities, past and present, in social and historical context.
Students will be able to develop independent scholarly research.

Minor

Students will be able to describe empirical research methods and interpretations in anthropology and sociology.
Students will be able to apply anthropological or sociological theories.
Students will be able to identify global cultural diversity, past and present.
Students will be able to identify the social construction of intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.
Students will be able to recognize structural inequities, past and present in social and historical context.

Programs

Major

Minor