Sociocultural anthropology draws from approaches in the humanities and social sciences to examine the nature of society and culture across all human social groups and historical periods. Coursework in the Sociocultural Anthropology specialization allows students to explore an array of topics, including gender, language, health, law, politics, religion, migration, youth culture, psychology, and film. It also introduces students to a variety of world areas, including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East. A specialization in Sociocultural Anthropology prepares students for the strongest graduate programs in the field. It is an excellent foundation for careers that value sensitivity to sociocultural variation, including medicine, law, education, international development, environmental studies, and others.
Learning Outcomes
Students with a specialization in Sociocultural Anthropology will:
Develop an appreciation for the diversity of human cultures and the principles and methods that anthropologists employ for studying them.
Master the fundamental cultural themes in at least one society other than their own, and the relationship of those themes to the dynamics of social organization.
Recognize and be able to describe human linguistic diversity as well as the shared properties of all languages that are associated with the unique capacities of our species.
Understand the biological principles and historical contingencies that explain and govern the deep history of humanity as revealed by the findings of paleontology and archaeology.
Grasp the fundamental laws and processes of heredity and evolution, and their implications for individuals and populations.
Be able to articulate and act on a more focused understanding of one or more topical areas, which may include the cross-cultural study of law, politics, migration, psychology, or medicine.