The Sociology-Anthropology Department offers students the richness of a multi-disciplinary study of human behavior. Students have the opportunity to take courses in sociology, anthropology, and social work. While providing our majors with a common foundation in the concepts, theories, and methods of the three disciplines, our majors may tailor their course of study around the three major tracks that we offer: the general sociology track, the human services track, and the cross-cultural track. Our majors give presentations at the Western Sociology-Anthropology Undergraduate Research Conference held at Santa Clara University as well as the Westmont Student Research Symposium. All graduating majors are eligible to receive the Outstanding Student and/or the Praxis Awards.

What’s the difference between anthropology, sociology, and social work?

Students often ask about the difference between anthropology, sociology, and social work. Traditionally, anthropologists have focused on the study of tribal peoples and gathered information predominantly through field research, participant observation, and other qualitative methods. Likewise, sociologists emphasized the study of industrial societies and tended to use more quantitative methods like surveys and questionnaires. However, these distinctions between the two disciplines have become blurred over the last few decades. More and more anthropologists study urban life in Western societies and increasing numbers of sociologists focus on peasant or tribal societies. Contemporary scholars from either discipline often use the theories and the methods of the other. Social work seeks to address the social and economic conditions that affect individuals, families, and groups and to intervene and seek positive change in social policy and human existence at individual and societal levels. The department provides students a unique advantage of access to the strengths of all three disciplines. Any of the sociology or anthropology courses can been taken as elective units for any of the major tracks.

Distinctive Emphasis:

One of the department's emphasis is our cross-cultural orientation. Some of our faculty have extensive research and living experience outside of the United States, particularly in Asia and Latin America. In addition to the cross-cultural track within sociology, we offer a minor in anthropology. Some students also choose to study anthropology as an alternative major. We strongly encourage our majors to participate in off-campus, cross-cultural learning experiences. Our department periodically offers a study program in Sri Lanka. Many of our students have also studied in Africa and Latin America through other off-campus programs. So whether you plan on working in the U.S. with culturally diverse populations or in another country, we provide the possibilities to develop your cross-cultural knowledge and skills.

We also have a strong focus on social justice and human services. Our department has a well-organized practicum program where students may pursue supervised internships in human service agencies of various types, including the justice system, adoption agencies, at-risk youth programs, and homeless shelters among many other opportunities. Our majors may also take advantage of the many internship possibilities in San Francisco through Westmont’s Urban Program, which was started by two of our department’s faculty. Many of our students have been hired by their internship placement upon graduation.

The study of religion is another of our department’s specialities. Some of our faculty have strong academic and research interests in this area. We offer courses in non-Western religions, new religious movements, cults, and the sociology of religion. Students find that these courses provide them valuable preparation for seminary training, mission work, or other areas of ministry.

As a faculty, we are concerned that our majors not only gain knowledge about sociology, social work, or anthropology but also be able to use the tools of these disciplines to serve others and to further the building of Christ’s Kingdom. We encourage research, and students who take our courses find that they have many opportunities to engage people and issues directly rather than just through lectures, books and articles. The communication, research, and analytical skills we hope to develop in our students provide an excellent background for many diverse careers and professions. Along with a strong academic background in sociology and anthropology, we want our students’ interests in these disciplines to be grounded within the Christian faith. One of the highlights of each academic year is our departmental student-faculty retreat. We cancel classes for a day and spend time in worship, prayer, and reflection together. The focus of the retreat is the relationship of what we learn and do in the context of sociology, anthropology, or social work to our Christian faith commitments and our relationships with one another. We have found it to be a special time for faculty and students to learn from one another as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.