Our Anthropology/Sociology program prepares its graduates for graduate school or entry-level employment in social science related positions. We are committed to high standards in our teaching, to the effective integration of critical thinking and analytical research skills as part of the learning process, and to humanistic values, a cross-cultural perspective and socio-cultural awareness. Students are expected to learn both quantitative and qualitative research skills, a unique characteristic of the multi-disciplinary program.

In addition, the Anthropology/Sociology faculty teach service courses which meet the needs and requirements of the General Education, Social Work, Education, Nursing, and Business programs as well as academic minors in anthropology and sociology.

In our increasingly global, multi-cultural society, the student with knowledge and skills related to human social behavior and diversity issues is especially marketable. A graduate with a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Anthropology is well-positioned to assume entry-level jobs in applied human relation positions in both the public and private sector, in political survey analysis, in organizations that deal with diverse cultures, and in research-focused positions. The major's emphasis on social science research methods and critical thinking and evaluation makes the graduate especially marketable in employment settings that value these skills.

The degree also prepares students for graduate work in either Sociology or Anthropology, and offers solid preparation for advanced degrees in many other disciplines.

Sociology/ Anthropology Mission

The Sociology/Anthropology program at MU provides all students with high quality academic, applied and general foundations of learning and real world experience in and through the disciplines of sociology and anthropology. Sociology/Anthropology majors will become students of our disciplines focused on human behavior and social change and professionals in social science occupations. It introduces general education students to academic skills utilized in the social sciences at the same time as it broadens their conceptual views.

We are committed to assisting students in learning to define, analyze, and understand human behavior. Therefore, we are dedicated to equipping all of our undergraduate students with a broad view of the social world that is consistent with the goals of a liberal arts education. We prepare them to understand the structures and patterns upon which everyday social life rests.

The mission of the Sociology/ Anthropology program reflects the creed of Mansfield University by recognizing the importance of character, scholarship, culture and service. Our program embraces the richness of multicultural diversity by emphasizing a broad, yet in-depth understanding of culture and society. In addition, by promoting cultural relativism, it fosters comprehension of interdependencies of the global community. Our curriculum includes opportunities for students to both learn about and serve society through research and action.

Student learning expectations for Sociology/Anthropology

The Sociology/ Anthropology Program is committed to the following student skills expectations for students graduating with a sociology/anthropology major.

Skill #1

Students graduating with a sociology/anthropology major are able to articulate perspectives on human behavior that are sociological. (Scholarship, Character)

Objectives:

1. An ability to express the contribution of sociology/ anthropology to understanding social reality.
2. An ability to describe how sociology/anthropology is similar to and different from other social sciences.
3. An ability to explain to explain how the self develops sociologically
4. An ability to distinguish social and cultural approaches to analyzing the self from psychological, economic, religious, political, and other approaches

Skill #2

Students graduating with a sociology/anthropology major are able to articulate the role of theory in sociology/ anthropology. (Scholarship, Character, Culture)

Objectives:

1. An ability to describe the role of theory in building sociological/ anthropological knowledge.
2. An ability to compare and contrast theoretical orientations
3. An ability to apply theories to areas of social reality
4. An ability to compare and contrast the macro/micro distinctions

Skill #3

Students graduating with a sociology/anthropology major are able to articulate the role of social research methods in sociology. (Scholarship)

Objectives:

1. An ability to describe the role of research methods in building sociological/ anthropological knowledge.
2. An ability to compare and contrast methods of social research
3. An ability to design and carry out a social research project.
4. An ability to critical asses a published research report
5. An ability to distinguish between reliability and validity
6. An ability to understand and employ ethical issues of research

Skill #4

Students graduating with a sociology/anthropology major are able to articulate the role of data analysis in sociology/anthropology. (Scholarship, Character, Culture)

Objectives:

1. An ability to describe the role of data analysis in building sociological knowledge
2. An ability to compare and contrast techniques for analyzing data
3. An ability to use data analysis techniques to answer social questions
4. An ability to use the computer in the acquisition and analysis of information and data.
5. An ability to describe the value of qualitative and ethnographic research in the creation of best practice models and the understanding of societies’ issues.

Skill #5

Students graduating with a major in sociology/anthropology are able to define and illustrate key sociological/ anthropology concepts. (Scholarship, Culture, Character, Service)

Objectives:

1. An ability to define and illustrate the following sociological/anthropological concepts: culture, social structure, social inequality, and cultural diversity
2. An ability to describe cultural diversity in the United States and in the world and an appreciation for it
3. An ability to demonstrate how culture and social structure vary across time and place
4. An ability to explain the societal and structural factors influence individual behaviors and self’s development
5. An ability to show the connection macro/micro forces in human society
6. An ability to demonstrate familiarity with key social institutions such as the family, and legal, education, medical institutions and others
7. An ability to demonstrate familiarity with key concepts of communities and organizations
8. An ability to recognize and understand the effects of prejudice, discrimination, and ethnocentric behaviors.

Skill #6

Students graduating with a major in sociology/anthropology are able to summarize basic knowledge, questions, and issues in substantive areas of sociology/anthropology. (Scholarship, Culture)

Objectives:

1. An ability to summarize existing knowledge, current questions, and important issues in at least three substantive areas of sociology/anthropology
2. An ability to describe and explain continuing sources of social inequality
3. An ability to understand the basic of community organizations, actions, and leadership
4. An ability to explain the history and nature of globalization and impact locally, regionally and internationally

Skill #7

Students graduating with a major in sociology/anthropology are able to communicate effectively about sociology. (Scholarship)

Objectives:

1. An ability to express ideas in a clear and coherent manner in writing
2. An ability to express ideas in a clear and coherent matter in oral presentation
3. An ability to demonstrate effective critical thinking skills

Skill #8

Students graduating with a major in sociology/ anthropology are well prepared for subsequent education and employment. (Character, Scholarship, Service, Culture)

Objectives:

1. Admission to an appropriate graduate or professional school for those interested in continuing their education
2. Successful completion of graduate or professional education for matriculants in those programs
3. Judgment by graduates in the labor force that the sociology program prepared them well for their life and work responsibilities