Anthropology & Sociology Major/Minor

Anthropology and sociology are rapidly expanding fields that provide a unique lens with which to understand the world. Combining an understanding of cultural development (anthropology) with social factors, forces, and issues (sociology) results in a broad education that propels students toward action that promotes global responsibility, fosters healing, restores human dignity, and appreciates human diversity—and you can be a part of this in the Anthropology & Sociology major.

This combined Anthropology and Sociology degree is excellent preparation for future graduate work. You could use this program to become a researcher, an applied anthropologist or sociologist, or a professor. Additionally, the liberal arts curriculum in this program also opens doors to careers in business, law, medicine, social services, archaeology, community development, human rights advocacy, missions, etc.

By integrating an Anthropology major with a Sociology major, Taylor’s Anthropology & Sociology program can offer an engaging, research-based curriculum that will allow you to put theory to the test and build a holistic understanding of how social hierarchy and social location influence thoughts, motivations, behaviors, and opportunities.

Starting with introductory anthropology and sociology courses, the Anthropology & Sociology major will build a firm, theory-based foundation that is essential for applied social courses and future studies and careers.

You will take research, methods, and analysis classes with experts in the field, where you will learn valuable research principles and theories, the value of societal research, and the discoveries of prominent sociologists and anthropologists.

All Anthropology & Sociology majors will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of research projects, with topics ranging from how Scripture influences social and personal behavior to how refugees experience immigration. You will learn how to conduct national surveys, phone interviews, and face-to-face interviews; gather information from colleges and organizations; summarize results and reports; and construct research-grounded theories.

You will also have numerous opportunities for global engagement, with sponsored trips to Chile, South Korea, Japan, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Rwanda, and Uganda. Each trip teaches students how to think, function, and promote change in a diverse and complex global setting.

Through these study abroad opportunities, you will gain hands-on experience planning and co-leading workshops, exploring effective delivery models, crafting participant materials, and collecting and analyzing real-world data. You could have the opportunity to serve as a mentor, coach, facilitator, counselor, model, and friend.

Explore some of our recent global engagement opportunities:

• Trauma Counseling Workshops: Students focused on empowering caregivers to provide psychological support after genocide trauma. Honing in on the cultural value of storytelling and writing, students encouraged community members to heal by sharing experiences.
• Microfinance Workshops: Students worked with female entrepreneurs, who serve the local communities, to organize a workshop where they could share marketing and business ideas.
• Racial Reconciliation Workshops: Students hosted a workshop where community leaders—who wrestle with tribalism and ethnocentrism—focused on conflict resolution, forgiveness, meditation, leadership development, and trauma counseling.
• Documentary Filmmaking: Students interviewed high school students, teachers, ambassadors to the US, and pastors to create a documentary about the educational and political forces shaping their country. The short documentary “We are Rwandans” won several awards in regional and national film competitions.

Anthropology Minor

Apply your knowledge of the sciences and humanities to help solve current societal problems as you learn about the complexity of culture throughout history. Taylor’s Anthropology minor fits well with majors in Public Health, Exercise Science, and History.

Sociology Minor

Dig into contemporary social and complex cultural issues that affect society. Sociology minors will explore social thought, learn how sociologists can find solutions to societal issues through research and analysis, and have the opportunity to take the Sociology electives of their choice. This minor pairs well with Public Health, Exercise Science, and International Studies majors.

Anthropology & Sociology Curriculum & Degree Options

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology & Sociology
• Bachelor of Science in Anthropology & Sociology
• Anthropology Minor
• Sociology Minor

Students interested in course descriptions and academic policies can check out our Undergraduate Catalog here.

Contact the Sociology & Anthropology Department

Michael Jessup, Department Chair & Professor of Sociology
765-998-5542
mcjessup@taylor.edu

Greta Kiers, Sociology & Anthropology Program Assistant
765-998-5102
greta_kiers@taylor.edu