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Sociology and Anthropology (B.A.)

Sociology and Anthropology students improve life for others, promote social justice, and bridge cultural divides in service of humanity. They are adaptive, lifelong learners who thrive in a fast-changing and diverse world. During their studies at Messiah University, students gain a greater understanding of society through study abroad programs, internships, and service-learning opportunities. The Sociology and Anthropology major is efficient and flexible, allowing students to pursue a minor and/or study abroad options.


Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Sociology and Anthropology program can:

  1. Apply major concepts and ideas within classical and contemporary sociological theories to real-world contexts.
  2. Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods while conducting social scientific research.
  3. Apply information and technology relevant to the social sciences
  4. Articulate a broad knowledge of human variations across cultures, class, race and ethnicity, gender, religion, and value orientations to understand the dynamics and complexity of human social interaction.
  5. Apply critical thinking skills in their examination of social institutions and issues of conflict, inequality, prejudice, discrimination, and deviance.
  6. Articulate options for employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in sociology and related fields.
  7. Articulate how faith connects to sociological theory, research, and ethics within the discipline and reflect upon issues of faith in their potential career options.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

SOAN 101Introduction to Sociology

3
SOAN 212Cultural Anthropology

3
SOAN 285Research Methods

3
SOAN 331Sociocultural Theory

3
SOAN 335Social Conflict and Reconciliation

3
SOAN 341Religion and Society

3
SOAN 342Race and Gender in the United States

3
SOAN 356Social Inequality

3
SOAN 371Global Justice

3
SOAN 442Senior Thesis

3
INTE 391Internship

1-3
OR
SOAN 391Sociology Practicum

1-3
INTE 391: Three credits must be taken for a letter grade to meet major requirement.

Six credits from the following:

ARCG 396Historical Archaeology

3
PSYC 226Social Psychology

3
SOAN 221Native American Cultures

3
SOAN 310Food, Power and Society

3
SOAN 315Urban Sociology

3
SOAN 385Topics in Sociology and Anthropology

3
SOAN 491Independent Study

1-3

NOTE: At least eighteen (18) credits of the major requirements must be 300 or 400 level courses.

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics 3 or 4
Science with Lab 3 or 4
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
 Social Science (SOAN 101) met/major
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
 Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
 Philosophy or Religion 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global (SOAN 212, SOAN 371) or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language met/major
Bible
 24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
 24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
 WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
 24GE Ethics and the Common Good (SOAN 335) met/major
Intercultural Perspectives
 Intercultural U.S. (SOAN 342, SOAN 356) or Domestic Cross-cultural met/major
Common Learning
 Experiential Learning (met if INTE 391)  
General Education requirements   37-39
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   39
Free Electives    45-47
Total credits   123