Academic Program

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

Faculty

Professors Benson (Chair), Bigenho, Henke, Hsu, Loe, Lopes
Associate Professors Abdul-Malak, De Lucia, Juarez, Russo, Shever, Simmons, Spadola, Villarrubia
Assistant Professors Avera, Helepololei
Visiting Professor Newman
Visiting Assistant Professors Bell, Helepololei, Kolarevic
Visiting Instructor Kolloju
Post-Doctoral Fellow Ly

Sociology and anthropology study human cultures and societies, past and present, on a comparative basis. These disciplines are concerned with analyzing and understanding the social structures and values that shape our lives, as well as the institutions and social forces of our own and other societies. The major in sociology or anthropology provides an excellent preparation for graduate study and a variety of careers, including law, education, business, public policy, communication, journalism, health, counseling, and social work. Sociology and anthropology graduates also pursue careers in local, national, and international non-profit organizations. The department offers two majors, an  and a .

In keeping with the University's policy, no declarations of major or minor will be accepted after the fall full-term withdrawal period of a student's senior year.

Honors and High Honors

See the  and the  pages for honors and high honors information.

Awards

The Award for Excellence in Sociology and Anthropology — awarded by the department to a student on the basis of outstanding academic performance in coursework within the department.

The Ramshaw Service Award — established by Warren C. and Molly Ramshaw. Warren Ramshaw taught in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology from 1961 to 1992. The award is presented to an undergraduate student in recognition of outstanding community service and academic achievement.

Off-Campus Study

Students are strongly encouraged to expand the scope of their academic experiences by studying off campus. SOAN faculty help guide each student toward the off-campus study experiences that complement and build on his or her overall course plan; we encourage students not to think of off-campus study as a semester-long break from Colgate but rather as a way to enhance on-campus course work. Students often use off-campus study as a way to collect data for use in senior seminars and honors projects. Since Anthropology majors are encouraged to complete fieldwork, off-campus study can often be rewarding and useful in this way. More information on off-campus study can be found on the Sociology and Anthropology web page.

Transfer Credit

Sociology will accept major/minor transfer credit only from Approved Programs or Colgate Study Groups. Sociology majors may use two transfer credits to satisfy their elective requirements; sociology minors may use one. The following courses cannot be transferred for major credit: SOCI 101, SOCI 201, SOCI 250, SOCI 453, SOCI 494, and SOCI 495. Exceptions for students transferring to Colgate from another college or university or taking courses at another institution over the summer or while on leave from Colgate are made on a case-by-case basis. AP credit may not count toward major or minor requirements.

Anthropology will accept major/minor transfer credit only from Approved Programs or Colgae Study Groups. Anthropology majors may use for major credit no more than two courses taken at another institution and no more than one independent study course in the department, except in special circumstances as approved by the department. Exceptions for students transferring to Colgate from another college or university or taking courses at another institution over the summer or while on leave from Colgate are made on a case-by-case basis. AP credit may not count toward major or minor requirements.

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses