Fact Sheet 07: Anthropology and Sociology

Revised June 2007

Anthropology and Sociology

?The Department of Anthropology and Sociology believes that you, as a student, benefit from being exposed to a wide range of subjects that are all concerned, in some way, with the study of human belief and behavior in society. To make knowledge gained in the classroom more meaningful, you can become involved in specialized projects, ranging from local archaeological excavations to community organization internships to structured overseas trips.

Career Opportunities

?Those enrolled in the anthropology and sociology programs at West Chester University study life as it is lived in the U.S. as well as the rest of the world. This has enabled graduates of the programs to find employment in a broad range of fields, including community development, law and law enforcement, market research, policy planning, human services, public health, and cultural resource management.

The department’s programs also prepare you for advanced degree programs. Some of the schools where West Chester graduates have been admitted for further study include the following:

Duke University
Indiana University, Bloomington
New Mexico State University
The New School for Social Research
University of California, Berkeley
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of South Florida
Yale University

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. ?This interdisciplinary program is designed to engage students in understanding human cultural and biological variation. The program focuses on human biological evolution; the origin, development, and integration of human cultures; and the interrelationship of biological and cultural factors in human behavior.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Carefully crafted to expose you to a study of the complexities of social life, this program focuses on understanding the processes involved in the creation, maintenance, and evolution of social structure and on the impact of diverse structural forms on social behavior. You will begin to grasp the dimensions of social processes and the role of the individual in shaping or being shaped by them.

Minors

Anthropology
Sociology

Special Study Opportunities

You may earn six credits by working with local agencies, including community hotlines, welfare agencies, and rape crisis centers. You also may participate in museum work and in archaeological research in historic Chester County.

Typical Courses

?Archaeological Field Techniques
Criminology
Cultures of Ethnic Groups in America
Culture of Cities
Human Paleontology
Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft
Medical Anthropology
Native Peoples of South America
Social Inequality
Social Organization
Sociology of Aging
Sociology of Culture
Sociology of the Family

Related Student Activities

Alpha Kappa Delta (sociology honor society)
Anthropology Club
Sociology Club

Faculty

You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program from the contact persons listed below.

For More Information

Dr. Susan Johnston, Chairperson
OR Mrs. Patti Hite, Department Secretary
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
G102 Old Library Building
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2556