Welcome to the Department of Sociology and Anthropology

 Dear Sociology Major:

I am writing to welcome you to the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. We are delighted that you chose to major in Sociology. Since all human behavior is social, your choice of sociology as a Major is a wise one first, because sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists, therefore, are concerned with the study of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Thus the subject matter of sociology ranges from the study of the nuclear and extended family to that of the hostile mob; from what social factors lead to various types of deviant behavior such as crime to the study of religious traditions; from the study of the divisions in societies based on race, gender and social class to that of the shared beliefs, customs and norms that make up a common culture.

Second, since sociologists typically use such methods as systematic observation, in-depth interviews, ethnography, content analysis of both written and visual documents, survey research, and statistical analysis, they are very much in demand in such fields as social services as counselors, criminal justice, administrative support, teaching and librarianship, law, demography (census), social science research, and management, to name some. In addition, the results of sociological research help in the development of new theories of human behavior and, consequently, can inform social policy, various programs, and laws.

In addition to the Major in Sociology and the Minor in Sociology, the Department offers a Concentration in the exciting field of Criminal Justice, and in Anthropology, which enables students to gain insights into cultures and societies that are not as developed as that of the United States of America. Also, internships are available in a number of organizations that provide Majors with a wide range of "hands on" experiences. Beyond that, Majors in sociology are prepared for graduate study and entry into a number of professional fields.

Finally, Majors are instructed by a dedicated Faculty with a wide range of intellectual and research interests both within and outside of the developed world. Thus, there is no doubt that the Major in Sociology not only will enable you to be successful in the world of work, but perhaps more important, in life itself.

Once again, I welcome you and look forward to being of service to you.

Sincerely,

Maurice St. Pierre, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair