Sociology and Anthropology (SOA)
Professor Thorsen; Associate Professors Bonhage-Freund and Fobes.
Sociology and Anthropology investigate basic processes, structures, culture and change in social reality and what it means to be human in that complex reality. This investigation encompasses: (1) method and theory — the logic of inquiry; (2) vocation — the ethically self-conscious examination of actions; and (3) the intended and unintended consequences of social action. While this investigation entails challenge and intellectual risk, it also promotes intellectual and ethical development in the best traditions of liberal education.
Alma's Sociology and Anthropology graduates successfully pursue graduate education in many fields as well as careers in sociology and social work, business and personnel administration, law, ministry, museum curatorship, corrections, government and many other areas. It is our hope that one can have a life as well as a living; liberal education can lead to both.
Major Requirements
- Thirty-six credits which must include SOA 101, 111, 251, 301 and 302. Only four credits beyond SOA 111 of the Anthropology sequence (Anthropology/Archaeology in course title and/or a "1" in the 10's digit of the course number) may count in a Sociology Major. All courses other than SOA 101 and SOA 111 must be at the 200 level or beyond to count toward the Major and SOA 111 is the only course that can be used for a Sociology Major/Minor and Anthropology Minor. The Teaching Major must include 220 and 243.
- The Comprehensive Evaluation for the Sociology/Anthropology Department is either the Graduate Record Examination or the Major Field Aptitude Test in Sociology.
Sociology Minor Requirements
Sociology 101, 111 and 251 plus 12 additional credits with the restriction that only four credits beyond SOA 111 of the Anthropology/Archaeology sequence may count. The Teaching Minor must include 220 and 243.
Anthropology Minor Requirements
SOA 111, four credits of SOA 499, at least one of SOA 212, 213, and 214, and additional elective credits from Anthropology/Archaeology to total 24 credits. To satisfy the Anthropology elective credit, students may take up to four credits of Sociology courses that have not been used to satisfy a Sociology major or minor, with permission. Students may substitute up to four credits from other departments with prior SOA permission as elective credit.
Four credits from SOA, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Social Sciences.
| SOA 101. | Principles of Sociology | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| Introduction to concepts and methods of sociology: society and its institutions, social and cultural change, and their implications. Prerequisite for all other Sociology courses except those in the Anthropology sequence. Computer laboratory; no prior computer experience required. | ||
| SOA 111. | Introduction to Anthropology | |
| 4 credits | Fee TBA | |
| Introduction to the holistic study of human kind. Development, organization, and functioning of cultures, as well as the relationship between biology and culture. Field trip to The Field Museum (Chicago). Fall Term. | ||
| SOA 115. | Introduction to North American Archaeology | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Focus on major prehistoric and historic North American cultures as revealed through archaeology and representative archaeological sites. Special emphasis on Michigan and the Midwest. Opportunities for hands-on, post-excavation laboratory research. | ||
| SOA 141. | Social Problems | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Examination, evaluation and discussion of contemporary social problems providing theoretical orientations and analytical skills to understand their complexities and ramifications. For example: poverty, health issues, crime and ways of dealing with crime. | ||
| SOA 180. | Topics in Sociology | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| Investigation of a selected topic. May be taken only once for credit toward the major. | ||
| SOA *212. | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | |
 |
4 credits | |
| SOA 111 recommended | ||
| Study of the development and variety of human cultures, or non-genetic adaptations to natural and social environments. Using a variety of theoretical perspectives, explore a range of contemporary and recent historic cultures to gain an appreciation of diversity of human world views and life ways. Investigate the process and effects of globalization. | ||
| SOA *213. | Introduction to Archaeology | |
 |
4 credits | |
| SOA 111 recommended | ||
| A basic introduction to the history, theories and methods of anthropological archaeology. Issues of stewardship, accountability, social relevance, communication, preservation, repatriation and real world problem solving are integrated into the nuts and bolts of archaeological research. Opportunities for hands-on, post-excavation archaeological laboratory research. | ||
| SOA *214. | Biological Anthropology | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 111 or BIO 121 recommended | ||
| Focus on the physical nature of humankind and the relationship between mind-body-culture. Historic and current theoretical and methodological approaches to the investigation of the human body, its functions, and evolution. Methods and techniques used by paleontologists to investigate ancient hominids and their behavior. Examine current issues such as human demography, "race," forensics, epidemiology, stem cell research, genetics. | ||
| SOA 215. | Michigan Archaeological Fieldwork | |
| 4 credits | Fee TBA | |
| SOA 111, 115 or 213 recommended; application and interview required | ||
| Survey and excavation of a local archaeological site. Field methods and record-keeping, preservation of finds, laboratory experience, record-keeping, and public education. Includes classroom, field, and laboratory work including a service-learning component. | ||
| SOA *216. | Ethnobotany: Plants and People | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 111 recommended | ||
| Ethnobotanical and paleoethnobotanical approach to relationships between plants and human culture. Philosophical, ethical and technological perspectives of traditional and Western attitudes toward human-plant interactions. Issues of land-use rights, biodiversity, global stewardship and intellectual property rights. Combined lecture and seminar format. | ||
| SOA *220. | Sociology of Family | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examines how family life is structured by broader social, political and economic changes. Analysis organized historically around clan, lineage, nuclear and post-nuclear family structures. Contemporary family problems also studied. Fall Term. | ||
| SOA *221. | Bible and Society | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 or Permission | ||
| Explores how the social context (ethnic, economic, class, etc.) of faith communities shapes the study, understanding, and use of scripture in worship and impacts values and daily lives. Emphasis on lectionary readings shared by Protestants and Roman Catholics, and the Hebrew scriptures. (Cross listed as REL 220). | ||
| SOA *234. | Aging and Health Institutions | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examine key concepts, main theories and important substantive issues related to aging and health institutions from a sociological perspective. Among the central issues explored are gender and racial differences in aging, ethnic minorities and institutions connected to aging and public policy. | ||
| SOA *241. | Race and Ethnic Relations | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examines racism in American society; dominant-subordinate group relations with particular emphasis on African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and White Ethnics; political, economic, social and cultural consequences. | ||
| SOA *243. | Deviance | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examination, evaluation and discussion of major theories and approaches to deviance, forms of deviance, their institutional relationships, implications for individuals and applications of concepts to "real world" events. | ||
| SOA *251. | Social Psychology | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 and PSY 121 | ||
| Consideration of current theory and research on self, perception, social influence, attitude formation, intergroup relations, altruism and aggression. Emphasis on ethical and social issues in conduct and application of social psychological research. | ||
| SOA *301. | Methods of Social Research | |
| 4 credits | ||
| 12 credits of SOA or Permission | ||
| Fundamentals of logic and procedures of social research. Emphasis on research design, measurements of attitudes and behavior, techniques of scaling, coding and analysis of data | ||
| SOA *302. | Sociological Theory | |
| 4 credits | ||
| 12 credits of SOA or Permission | ||
| Examination, evaluation and discussion of major concepts and theories developed since mid-19th century with concentration on those thinkers whose work is relevant to contemporary society. | ||
| SOA *311. | Topics in Anthropology | |
|
2-4 credits | |
| SOA 211 | ||
| Analysis of selected anthropological problems and/or culture areas, acculturation, applied anthropology and ethnography. | ||
| SOA *315. | Michigan Archaeological Field Work | |
| 4 credits | Fee TBA | |
| SOA 215 or Permission | ||
| Research in peer-reviewed and/or primary sources, application of research to data from local sites resulting in written report, exhibition, or public presentation. Supervision of field crews in Spring Term excavation and survey program. Intended for students with experience in and serious commitment to archaeological research. | ||
| SOA *325. | Conflict and Class | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examination of class inequality and its consequences. Topics may include ideology, social movements, and issues in war and peace. Attention is paid to how race and gender issues intersect with class in both national and international settings. | ||
| SOA *326. | Complex Organizations | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| In-depth examination of organizational theory with special focus on organizational metaphors and the social construction of structure, behavior and quality. | ||
| SOA *328. | Media: Impact and Consequences | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| Examination of changes in media (from oral to print to electronic) with emphasis on the implications of electronic media from essentially a social structural (institutional) perspective. Traces the implications of this for other institution areas, culture and self. | ||
| SOA *353. | Sociology of Gender | |
| 4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 | ||
| How gender practices are socially constructed and enacted. Examine through ethnographic and observation methods how family, religion, race/ethnicity and social class have shaped gender relations. Explore movements to change and resist change in gender arrangements. | ||
| SOA *380. | Topics in Sociology | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| SOA 101 and 4 additional credits in SOA | ||
| Selected topics such as population and ecology, social and cultural change, sociology of education, or alternative life styles. May be taken more than once for credit. Only eight credits count toward the major in Sociology. | ||
| SOA *385-*386. | Practicum | |
| 4 credits each | ||
| Permission | ||
| Participation in community institutions, agencies, schools and business with individual faculty supervision. Applications of concepts through experience. About 11-14 hours of field work per week for each four credits. Includes paper or report. | ||
| SOA *499. | Independent Study | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Supervised reading or project in special area of sociology, general sociology, social psychology or anthropology. | ||
| SOA *500. | Senior Thesis | |
|
4 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Designed for senior Sociology majors with the consent of the Department. Program of empirical or theoretical research. Projects are generally begun during the first term of the senior year. | ||