Sociology
Sociology Department Chair: Jeffrey Kamakahi
Sociology Faculty: Ellen Block, Jeffrey Kamakahi, M. Sheila Nelson, Michael Rosenbaum, Megan Sheehan
The Sociology Department offers courses in both Sociology and Anthropology. Sociology is the study of groups, the ways people behave in groups and how an individual's attitudes and actions are influenced by them. These groups include families, schools, religious associations, peer groups, political parties, and work organizations. Thus, sociologists are called on to interpret group conflicts, the assimilation (or non-assimilation) of new persons into a social system and the patterned behavior of people in organizations, to give just a few examples.
Anthropology is the study of humankind, and our department focuses on cultural anthropology, the study of humanity as cultural beings. Traditionally, anthropologists study indigenous cultural groups around the world, though contemporary anthropology focuses on cultural processes inherent in globalization, transnationalism, and migration. Anthropologists know that people globally are in movement and in contact with each other, so the study of human culture is always intercultural. Therefore, anthropologists study culture to help translate cultural difference and the multitude of human experiences with a particular attention to underrepresented and marginal groups.
Sociology and Anthropology's goals are to chart the interconnections between the various realms of thought and conduct, to find the balance between social and individual components in personal identity and to locate the social and cultural origins of harmony and strife in every area of experience. Our methods are varied, from large scale, statistical analyses, to longitudinal ethnographic case studies of a small community.
Sociologists and Anthropologists work professionally as researchers, policy consultants, professors, technicians, advisors, and counselors in private organizations and governmental agencies. Sociology and Anthropology help prepare students to work in a variety of fields such as public policy, social service, nonprofit organizations, law, community organizing, education, healthcare, counseling, human resources, criminal justice and corrections.
Assessment
The Sociology Department utilizes a process of course-embedded assessment. Various departmental objectives are assessed through assignments given in the courses which have primary responsibility for those specific objectives.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: SOCI 111 or 121 with grade of C or better and 36 college credits completed
Minimum Grade and/or GPA for required courses: 2.00 GPA
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
Major
The sociology department offers a major in sociology and a major in Sociology with a concentration in Anthropology.
Major in Sociology (40 credits)
Required Courses:
111, 205, 304, 396 and 24 additional credits in sociology.
Major in Sociology with concentration in Anthropology (48 credits)
Required Courses:
SOCI 111, 121, 304, 205, 322, 326, two anthropology electives/topics courses from 337 - one regional anthropology course and one topical anthropology course, 396, and 12 elective credits offered by SOCI.
Minor in Sociology (20 credits)
Required Courses:
111, 205 and twelve additional upper-division credits in sociology.
Minor in Anthropology (24 credits)
Required Courses:
121, 322, 326, and twelve additional upper-division credits in sociology/anthropology including at least one regional anthropology course and on topical anthropology course.
Required Senior Year:
Ethnographic Portfolio