Program: Sociology/Anthropology Major (B.A.) - Ohio Wesleyan University

2024-2025 Catalog

Mar 14, 2025

Professor Dean

Associate Professor Hildebrand
Assistant Professor Kim

The disciplines of sociology and anthropology explore social inequalities, cultural diversity, and contemporary social issues in a changing world. These topics encompass frequently controversial issues such as poverty and homelessness, crime and deviance, racial relations, physical and mental health, gender and sexuality, family, religion, social justice, and globalization. The fields attract students from a variety of backgrounds interested in learning how society operates and how to influence social change.

Sociology and anthropology focus on differences across cultures and nations, as well as within the United States. Students learn how to understand people’s experiences and participate as citizens in a global community. Through engaging discussions and real world experiences, students acquire high-demand skills such as research, analysis, critical thinking, and communication for 21st century careers.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand macro-micro relations: Understand the reciprocal relationships between the individual and society, the particular and the general, and the local and the global.

2. Think theoretically: Understand the role of theory within sociology and anthropology and be able to apply theory to social issues.

3. Conduct research and use evidence effectively: Understand the role of evidence, and use qualitative and quantitative methods effectively in sociological and anthropological research.

4. Develop values of social responsibility: Develop empathy for others and a concern for social justice.

5. Demonstrate sociological and anthropological knowledge: Master basic concepts in sociology and anthropology

6. Critical thinking: Identify the underlying assumptions of various arguments (and one’s own thinking) and to apply opposing viewpoints to social issues.

7. Communication skills: Communicate sociological and anthropological knowledge effectively through written and oral communication.

Major Requirements

Ten courses consisting of:

SOAN 110 Introductory Sociology or SOAN 117 Introduction to Social Problems (Students cannot receive credit for both SOAN 110 and 117)
SOAN 111 Cultural Anthropology
SOAN 279 Methods of Social Research
SOAN 280 Social Theory
SOAN 499 Seminar in Applied Sociology and Anthropology and
five electives

SOAN 279 Methods of Social Research and SOAN 280 Social Theory should each be taken in the sophomore or junior year.

PSYC 210 Quantitative Methods , MATH 105 Basic Probability and Statistics or MATH 230 Applied Statistics will be accepted for credit in the major, although none may replace SOAN 279 Methods of Social Research . BWS 300 11 Race, Ethnicity, and Health is also accepted for credit in the major.

Note(s):

Knowledge of a foreign language and training in statistics are strongly recommended for all majors. Mastery of these skills is especially important for students who are planning on graduate study or government service.

Independent study and internships are vital parts of the major. Every effort is made to tailor programs to individual student needs and to maintain flexibility within a framework of rigorous scholarship. All internships are graded credit/no entry. No other course counting for credit in the major may be taken credit/no entry.