Anthropology and Sociology are social sciences oriented toward the systematic study of diverse peoples and groups, both sharing the desire to better understand society and culture.
The Mission of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology is to provide broad access to the skills and special knowledge inherent in our disciplines, to nurture an awareness of and appreciation for diversity, to promote a sense of civic responsibility, global awareness, and cultural competency in our students, and to support original and collaborative scholarship by faculty and students. It will meet this mission by offering courses leading to bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and sociology and minor programs in anthropology, sociology, and museum studies; a broad range of courses permitting students to satisfy the university’s general education requirements; and internships, field experiences, service learning, and international study opportunities.
Department faculty study a wide range of topics, including globalization; inequalities experienced due to gender, race, ethnicity, and social class; the social determinants of health; biocultural perspectives on food and nutrition; social movements (protests, uprisings and the like); religion in cultural and social contexts; the digital social realm; environmental sustainability and sustainable food systems; ancient societies and cultures; and heritage and preservation.
The Department of Anthropology and Sociology offers the following degrees and programs of study:
- Anthropology, B.A.
- Sociology, B.A.
- Anthropology minor
- Sociology minor
- Museum Studies minor
- Ethnic Studies minor
The WCU Institute for Race and Ethnic Studies has joined the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.
Upcoming Courses: Fall 2025
Anthropology Courses
- ANT 101 – Introduction to Biological Anthropology
- ANT 102 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- ANT 103 – Introduction to Archeology
- ANT 210 – Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
- ANT 224 – Native People of South America
- ANT 230 – Introduction to Primatology
- ANT 277 – Sustainable Food Systems
- ANT 347 – Culture of Cities
- ANT 349 – Ethnographic Research Methods
- ANT 364 – Archaeology of Native North America
- ANT 459 – History of Ethnology Theory
- ANT 495 – Senior Seminar in Anthropology
Sociology Courses
- SOC 100 – Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 240 – Sociology of the Family
- SOC 250 – The Social Contexts of Substance Use
- SOC 300 – Sociological Theory
- SOC 322 – Methods of Sociological Research
- SOC 342 – Urban Sociology
- SOC 346 – Sociology of Gender
- SOC 525 – Digital Analytics
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