Academic Programs
This information is taken from the Sociology and Anthropology section of the Oakland University Undergraduate Catalog. For a downloadable version of the most recent version of this catalog, please visit the OU Course Catalog site.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers two separate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Sociology is the scientific study of society and is of particular interest for students who wish to examine important social problems. Anthropology is the study of humankind in all its aspects, through archaeological, biological, cultural and linguistic research, and fosters the use of this knowledge in addressing human problems. In sociology and anthropology, students are required to study research techniques and acquire skills in theoretical analysis. Both majors allow maximum flexibility enabling students to pursue their own intellectual interests.
Students may also select a combined major in both disciplines. The department actively participates in the following concentrations:
Requirements for the liberal arts major in sociology, B.A. program
To earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology,* students must complete a minimum of 40 credits, 20 of which must be taken at the 300-400 level including:
- SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 202 Research Methods
- SOC 203 Social Statustics with Computer Applications
- SOC 400 Sociological Theory
One class from each of the following categories:
- Interaction processes: SOC 206, 207, 337, 402
- Social issues: SOC 205, 222, 300, 315, 316, 323, 465
- Social institutions: SOC 240, 326, 305, 320, 327, 328, 335, 425, 437
- Social inequality and change: SOC 301, 331, 336, 344, 345
8 elective credits at the 300-400 level, 4 of which may include anthropology.
*No more than 8 credits counted toward the major may be taken in SOC 190, 392, 399 or 480.
Requirements for the liberal arts major in anthropology, B.A. program
Students have a choice of three 24 credit major tracks: cultural anthropology (strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school in this field); archaeology (strongly recommended for students planning graduate work in archaeology) and general anthropology (recommended for students whose interest in anthropology is broadly educational).
To earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in anthropology, students must complete a minimum of 40 credits including the following:
CORE:
- AN 101 Human and Cultural Evolution
- AN 102 Culture and Human Nature
- AN 302 Anthropological Research Methods
- AN 470 Anthropological Theory
Complete one of the following 24 credit tracks:
1. Cultural anthropology (24 credits):
2. Archaeology (24 credits):
- AN 222
- AN 383 (8 credits)
- 12 elective credits from AN 282, 370, 380, 384, 385
3. General anthropology (24 credits):
- Students may choose from elective credits fron any anthropology courses.
Note: LIN 201 is strongly recommended for all AN majors, as is the study of at least two years of foreign language. Students planning graduate school should also consider takingSOC 202 (Research Methods). No more than 8 credits counted toward the major may be taken in AN/SOC 190, 392, 399 or 480.
Requirements for the combined liberal arts major in sociology/anthropology, B.A. program
To earn a Bachelor of Arts with a combined major in sociology/anthropology,* students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in sociology and 20 credits in anthropology including the following:
- SOC 100, 202, 204
- AN 101, 102
- SOC or AN 400
*No more than 8 credits counted toward the major may be taken in SOC/AN 190, 392, 399 or 480.
Requirements for modified majors in sociology and/or anthropology with a linguistics concentration, B.A. program
To earn a modified major in sociology with a concentration in linguistics, students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in sociology, including SOC 100, 202, 204, 400 and a minimum of 20 credits in linguistics including LIN 201, 303, 304, and either 403 or 404, and LIN/SOC 376.
To earn a modified major in anthropology with a concentration in linguistics, students must complete AN 101 and 102, plus a minimum of 12 additional credits in anthropology and 20 credits in linguistics, including: LIN 201, 303, 304, and either 403 or 404, and either LIN/AN
374 or 375.
Requirements for a liberal arts minor in sociology or anthropology
To earn a minor in sociology, students must complete SOC 100 plus a minimum of 16 additional credits in sociology, 12 of which must be at the 300-400 level. To earn a minor in anthropology, students must complete AN 101 and 102 plus a minimum of 12 credits in
anthropology courses at the 300-400 level.
Requirements for the secondary teaching minor in sociology
Generally a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required in courses included in the minor, with no single course grade below 2.0. Second undergraduate degree candidates
completing the minor may be required to take additional courses at Oakland University beyond the stated minimums. Students must consult with the secondary education minor adviser in the department.
The secondary teaching minor in sociology requires a minimum of 24 credits including:
- Core: SOC 100, 205, 331
- One course from each of the following areas:
- Social Problems: SOC 240, 300, or 315
- Social Inequality: SOC 301, 336, or 352
- Interpersonal Relations: SOC 335, 337, or 402
In addition SED 427, Methods of Teaching Secondary Students, is required.
Two-plus-two transfer agreement program in sociology with a specialization in criminal justice
The Department of Sociology/Anthropology offers the B.A. in sociology with a specialization in criminal justice as part of a two-plus-two agreement with Oakland Community College. This agreement allows students who earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree
in criminal justice or in law enforcement and corrections at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills under the terms of the agreement to transfer to Oakland University and earn a B.A. in Sociology with a criminal justice specialization. Students must meet the requirements
at both institutions; at OU that means completing university general education, ethnic diversity, college distribution and major requirements. A brochure detailing the guidelines and required courses is available in the department and in the College of Arts and
Sciences Advising Office.
Departmental honors
To be a candidate for departmental honors in sociology, students must have taken at least 20 of their major credits at the 300-400 level, have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their sociology
major course work at Oakland University, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.60 in major course work at Oakland, have successfully completed SOC 303 Social Statistics, and receive recommendations from two departmental faculty members.
To be a candidate for departmental honors in anthropology, students must have taken at least 16 credits in the major at the 300 level or above, have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their
anthropology major course work at Oakland University, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.60 in major course work, and receive recommendations from two departmental faculty members.
Page last updated on August 14, 2007, 2:52 PM.
