Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Department of Sociology and Anthropology


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Department Chair: Marjukka Ollilainen
Location: Social Science Building, Room 114
Telephone Contact: Carol Jensen 801-626-6241
Professors: Brooke Arkush, Rosemary Conover, Linda Eaton, Kay Gillespie, Ron Holt, Brenda Marsteller Kowalewski, Marjukka Ollilainen, Huiying Wei-Arthus; Associate Professor: Robert Reynolds; Assistant Professors: Pepper Glass, Carla Trentelman

Sociology

Sociology Coordinator: Robert Reynolds

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology includes, but is not limited to, street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, how people express emotions, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, divisions of ethnicity, gender and social class, religious cults, medicine, media, and other social phenomena. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who craft policies and create programs. Few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge. Sociology is a popular major for students planning futures in such professions as law, business, education, architecture, politics, public administration, urban planning and development, human services, and a myriad of other professions. It also provides a solid foundation for pursuing graduate degrees in related fields. Although a career as a sociologist requires a Master’s Degree or PhD, an undergraduate education in sociology can be applied to almost any profession a student pursues.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The Sociology Department participates in the Asian Studies, Ethnic Studies, European Studies, Legal Studies and Women’s Studies Minor Programs and the Urban and Regional Planning Emphasis Program. Students who wish to enroll in one of these programs should indicate their desire to do so with the program coordinator who will help them work out a proper combination of courses to fit their particular needs. (See the Engaged Learning and Interdisciplinary Programs  section of this catalog.)

Anthropology

Anthropology Coordinator: Dr. Brooke Arkush, 801-626-7202

Anthropology takes a holistic approach to describing and explaining human differences and similarities around the world and throughout time. It looks at humans both culturally and biologically within an ecological context. It examines contemporary humans as well as those of the historic and prehistoric past and searches for patterns of human existence. Specialized fields include archaeology, linguistics, ethnology, and biological anthropology. Students are taught to question and examine the significance of beliefs, attitudes and prejudices, and to understand the anthropological position of relativism and valuing cultural and biological variation. The program prepares students for a broad range of public and private sector employment in anthropology-related fields or to enter professional or graduate schools appropriate to their interests. Anthropology is an essential discipline in the 21st Century, contributing knowledge for successful living and working in our diverse human world.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The Anthropology Program participates in the Asian Studies, Ethnic Studies, Environmental Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, and Women’s Studies Minor Programs. Students who wish to enroll in one of these programs should indicate their desire to do so with the program coordinator who will help them work out a proper combination of courses to fit their particular needs. (See the Engaged Learning and Interdisciplinary Programs  section of this catalog.)

Programs

    Associate of Applied ScienceInstitutional CertificateBachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceEmphasis Option for Bachelor of Integrated Studies

       BIS emphases are also offered for most programs with a minor.

    MinorTeaching MinorHonors, Departmental

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