Sociology and Anthropology

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Sociology Home Page (M.A.)- http://www.gmu.edu/departments/soci
• Anthropology Home Page - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/anthro
• Undergraduate Programs
  • Anthropology, B.A.
    • Minor in Anthropology
  • Sociology, B.A.
    • Minor in Sociology
• Graduate Program
  • Sociology, M.A.

Faculty

Robinson Professors: Bateson (Anthropology), Dumont (Anthropology), Weitzman (Sociology)

Professors: Avruch (Anthropology), Black (Anthropology), Borkman (Sociology), Dennis (Sociology), Dietz (Sociology), Horton (Sociology), Kolker (Sociology), Scimecca (Sociology, chair), Stone (Sociology), Williams (Anthropology)

Associate professors: Colvin (Sociology), Golomb (Anthropology), Guagnano (Sociology), Haines (Anthropology), Jacobs (Sociology), Kalof (Sociology), Lancaster (Anthropology), Palkovich (Anthropology), Potter, (Anthropology, provost), Rader (Sociology), Rosenblum (Sociology, vice president, University Life), Seligmann (Anthropology), Tavani (Sociology)

Assistant professors: Hanrahan (Sociology), Trencher (Anthropology)

Affiliate professor: Goode (Sociology)

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated ANTH and SOCI in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Anthropology, B.A.

Anthropology is the study of human beings and their cultures. It draws broadly from the social sciences, the humanities, and the natural sciences. Anthropology is thus an ideal undergraduate major, providing sound interdisciplinary preparation for a variety of careers. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the B.A., students majoring in anthropology must complete the 36-credit program of study indicated below. No more than three credits with a grade of D in the required courses in the anthropology major may be applied toward the degree.

1. A nine-credit core in anthropology:

   ANTH 114 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
   ANTH 390 Theories, Methods, and Issues I
   ANTH 490 Theories, Methods, and Issues II
   

2. A nine-credit four-field requirement:

   Archaeology: ANTH 120 or ANTH 420
   Biological Anthropology: ANTH 135 or ANTH 365
   Linguistic Anthropology: ANTH 380
   

3. Eighteen credits of 300- and 400-level electives

SOCI 311 and 313 may apply toward the 18-credit elective requirement. LING 326 General Linguistics may substitute for ANTH 380. SOCI 311 may substitute for ANTH 390.

Students wishing to pursue careers in anthropology should consider including ANTH 492 (or subfield specialty equivalents, such as ANTH 420, 450, 495, or 496) as an elective in their program of study.

Minor in Anthropology

A minor in anthropology requires 21 credits. All emphases require ANTH 114, 332, 120 or 135, and 430 or 450. See an advisor in the department for more information.

Sociology, B.A.

In addition to the general requirements for the B.A., students must take 35 credits of sociology, including 15 credits of core courses, SOCI 101, 303, 311, 313, and 412, and 18 additional credits at the 300 and 400 levels. ANTH 332 may apply toward the 35-credit sociology requirement. No more than six credits with a grade of D in sociology, none of which can be in the core courses (SOCI 303, 311, 313, and 412), can be applied toward the degree.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in anthropology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ANTH 490. Students majoring in sociology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing SOCI 412.

Minor in Sociology

Students can select one of five emphases in sociology offered by the department. A minor in sociology requires 21credits in one emphasis. All emphases require SOCI 101 and 311. See an advisor in the department for more information.

Secondary Teacher Licensure (Certification)
Students who want to become secondary school teachers should consult the sections on licensure (certification) found in the catalog under the "Graduate School of Education" chapter. Those planning to become secondary school teachers should consult with the secondary education advisors in their departments.

Graduate Program

Sociology, M.A.

A student may choose an emphasis in general sociology; applied sociology; sex and gender; crime, delinquency, and corrections; race and ethnicity; cultural studies; or conflict analysis and management. The general sociology emphasis allows maximum flexibility in the application of sociological knowledge to the analysis of social processes and systems. The applied emphasis serves as a professional degree for the practitioner. All emphases are appropriate for those anticipating further graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Sociology.

The department provides opportunities for students to develop expertise in a variety of areas, including applied methods, community, conflict analysis and management, development and social change, deviance, environmental sociology, gerontology, medical sociology, occupations and professions, policy analysis, race and ethnicity, sociology of science and technology, cultural studies, and survey research.

Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admissions requirements for graduate study, applicants must present the following:

1. A minimum of three credits each in undergraduate sociological theory, statistics, and research methods. Equivalent courses in other disciplines may be substituted for some of these requirements with permission.
2. Three letters of recommendation from people who have supervised the student's work. If possible, at least one should be from an academic setting.
3. A written statement (approximately 200 words) explaining the student's interest in sociology.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
5. An undergraduate GPA of 3.000.

Acceptance of applicants to the program depends upon assessment by the departmental graduate committee.

Nondegree Status
Students who do not wish to pursue a degree or who have not supplied all required documents may enroll in nondegree status through Extended Studies. Nondegree students may apply later for degree status. With approval, a maximum of 12 graduate credits earned in nondegree status may be applied to a master's degree.

Emphasis Requirements
All students are required to complete 33 credits including a master's thesis (SOCI 799).

Emphasis in General Sociology
A degree with this emphasis requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612) and 9 credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600-level sociology methods course).

Emphasis in Sex and Gender
A degree with this emphasis requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612), 9credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600-level sociology methods course), and 9 credits in the sex and gender emphasis (SOCI 505, 525, and 696).

Emphasis in Conflict Analysis and Management
A degree with this emphasis requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612), 9credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600-level sociology methods course), and 9 credits in the sociology of conflict and conflict management.

Emphasis in Race and Ethnicity
A degree with this emphasis requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612), 9credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600-level sociology methods course), and 9 credits in the race and ethnicity emphasis.

Emphasis in Crime, Delinquency, and corrections
A degree with this emphasis requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612), 9credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600-level sociology methods course), and 9 credits in the crime, delinquency, and corrections emphasis (SOCI 607, 608, and 609).

Emphasis in Sociology of Culture
A degree with this emphasis prepares students for the doctoral program in cultural studies. It requires 33 credits, including a core of 6 credits of social theory (SOCI 611 and 612); 9 credits of research methods (SOCI 530, 531, and a 600level sociology methods course); SOCI 614 Sociology of Culture; a 3-credit, master's-level course that also serves as an introduction to a cultural studies "feeder" program in a department other than Sociology and Anthropology; and CULT 802 Histories of Cultural Studies 1.

Master's Thesis
A master's thesis is required for the M.A. in Sociology to demonstrate a candidate's capacity to carry out independent research. The thesis consists of a substantial sociological research or theoretical project that will contribute to sociological knowledge.

Financial Aid
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a limited number of graduate assistantships. For information, please contact the department at (703) 993-1440.

Graduate Courses in Anthropology
Although a graduate program in anthropology is not yet available, there are graduate courses in anthropology offered in support of other graduate programs. See the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.