Sociology and Anthropology

Amy Herr, Assistant Professor

Sally A. Steindorf, Professor

Faculty from other disciplines also support this program.

The purpose of the Sociology and Anthropology Department is to produce students who are able to understand the complexities of stratification in terms of race, class, gender, and culture for the purpose of working towards social justice. Developing an awareness of and wrestling with social issues is paramount to becoming an effective change agent.

We focus on global and cultural awareness, community service, social responsibility, and sustainable community development in order to inspire students to become advocates for change. Qualitative reasoning, along with theoretical analysis, are integral parts of developing critical thinking proficiencies. Service learning projects and field experiences enhance classroom learning by linking community engagement to specific course content. These experiences give students a greater appreciation, empathy, and understanding of the complexities of the human experience.

Cultural sensitivity, compassion, integrity, communication, community-based problem solving, and critical observation are all values we strive to have our students express as agents for social change.