Anthropology/Sociology Major and Minor

Explore the social worlds humans have created–past and present. As an anthropology and sociology student, you’ll focus on empirical methods, interpretive theories and substantive findings of both anthropology and sociology that will allow you to understand the human experience in cultures from around the world and throughout history.

Student listening in a classroom setting.

Why Study Anthropology and Sociology at Albion?

As an anthropology and sociology major, you’ll explore topics ranging from ancient civilizations, the environment and social change to childhood, criminology and race and ethnicity. You’ll learn to critically evaluate perspectives on contemporary social issues. You’ll develop a substantive understanding of patterns of social and cultural diversity across the globe, examining how social categories are constructed and often transformed into patterns of inequity.

You’ll take these experiences with you and apply them to hands-on research alongside faculty on campus or through study away programs around the country and the world.

What Will You Learn as an Anthropology/Sociology Major?

You'll develop skills in empirical research, gain insight into cultures and societies, study patterns of social and cultural diversity and learn to think critically. These skills can be put to work in many fields–some that may not yet even exist.

You’ll study cultures from around the world and throughout history, examining the construction of concepts like race and ethnicity, sexuality, gender and class.

You’ll study the theory and practice of anthropology and sociology and learn to translate critical thought into action with the goal of anticipating, solving and preventing social problems to improve the human and global condition.

You’ll tailor the curriculum to fit your passions and goals, diving deeper into topics or cultures that interest you.

Major Courses Minor Courses

Highlights

Internships

Two Albion College students working around a table.

Gain real experience and explore potential careers by spending a semester or summer in an off-campus internship. Anthropology and sociology students frequently intern in museums with state, local, national, and tribal entities, and with medical and social service providers.

Study Away

Two students abroad posing on a horse-drawn carriage.

Gain real life experience in another culture by spending a semester studying off campus, whether abroad through Albion’s Center for International Education or through programs at the Chicago Center or the Philadelphia Center. As an anthropology and sociology major, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your study in a location like New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, India or Peru.

Scholarships and Awards

Group of Albion College students on graduation day.

At Albion, we celebrate achievement and potential through the Len and Ramona Berkey Award for outstanding rising students and the Robert Notestein Award for graduating students as well as sponsoring student memberships in Albion College’s chapter of the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society.

Honors or Departmental Thesis

Student holding a piece of paper in a classroom

Consider taking on a challenge and exploring a topic you’re passionate about by writing an Honors or departmental thesis during your senior year. Writing a thesis can be an especially valuable experience for students interested in graduate study. Completing a thesis allows students to work closely with a committee of scholars and learn about the process of undertaking and publishing scholarly research and writing.

Careers & Outcomes

You can study almost anything anthropologically or sociologically, making this field a strong foundation for many different careers. Training in anthropology and sociology is especially valuable for students interested in pursuing work in international business, public administration, market research, law enforcement, job counseling, human services, public health, international diplomacy, medical and social work, journalism and management. Below are examples of some of the professions our students choose, as well as graduate programs our students have recently attended.