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Majors & Minors
Anthropology and Sociology
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The major in anthropology and sociology offers a multidimensional perspective on self and society. These fields, concerned as they are with meaning, difference and power, cultivate reflexive, interpretive and empathetic forms of cultural analysis. Drawing together biography, history and ethnography, the major encourages students to critically reflect on the cultural and social diversity of human experience and to seriously engage social problems.
The combined anthropology and sociology major includes courses in anthropology and sociology, encouraging a multidisciplinary perspective on self and society. Concerned with meaning, difference and power, the program cultivates reflexive, interpretive and empathetic forms of cultural analysis. Drawing together biography, history and ethnography, the major encourages students to reflect critically on human diversity from cultural and social perspectives. The anthropology curriculum at Drake focuses on cultural anthropology.
Students who choose the anthropology and sociology combined major benefit from the related yet distinct foci of the disciplines so as to better facilitate their understanding of and participation in a world that is internationally and multiculturally linked.
FACULTY The ANSO program includes seven full-time faculty; all have earned their doctoral degrees. All full-time faculty are engaged in teaching classes from the introductory to advanced levels. Faculty specialize in globalization, social inequality, criminology, devicance, race/ethnicity, gender and feminist studies, science studies.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION There are no prerequisite high school courses or requirements needed for enrollment in the anthropology and sociology program, but students should have a well-rounded high school curriculum.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR For a major, 37 credit hours are required in anthropology and sociology courses, with a minimum of 15 hours of coursework in anthropology and 15 hours of coursework in sociology.
DRAKE CURRICULUM The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
INTERNSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES Faculty in the Department for the Study of Culture and Society have a record of success in arranging internships in Des Moines and central Iowa for interested students. Numerous social agencies in Des Moines provide internships, including Children & Families of Iowa, Iowa Coalition for the Housing & Homeless, Urban Dreams, Refugee Cooperative Services, Young Women’s Resource Center, and others.
Anthropology and sociology majors are eligible for membership in state, regional and national academic associations.
A digital film editing lab is available in Howard Hall for student digital video projects. The lab makes digital video cameras available to students and includes several Macintosh editing stations.
CAREER OPTIONS The major prepares students for a variety of vocations in the global society of the 21st century. It also prepares students for graduate study in anthropology or sociology and for various interdisciplinary areas such as Latin American studies and women’s studies. In addition, the major, in combination with appropriate additional coursework, provides a good preparation for law school and other professional fields of study.
HONORS Qualified students are invited to receive departmental honors, and anthropology and sociology majors are eligible for membership in state, regional and national academic associations.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Lambda Alpha is a national collegiate honors society for undergraduates that recognizes excellence in both anthropology courses and general academic work. It requires completion of 12 hours of anthropology courses as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0.