Sociology and Anthropology
Professors R. Enroth, T. Jayawardene, L. Montgomery (chair)
Associate Professor J. Alexandre
Assistant Professor X. Zhang
Description of the Major. Every society establishes relational patterns that determine how its members should behave. There are prescribed ways for members to conduct group life, carry on economic activities, and sanction those who deviate from its expectations. These and other patterns of social behavior constitute the subject matter of sociology, a branch of science whose practitioners endeavor to explain the origins and functions of these social patterns.
The basic objective of the sociology major at Westmont College is to help students develop a sociological and anthropological perspective within the context of a Christian world view. It is our hope that students will gain insight into the nature of society and culture through a disciplined examination of the social components of human activity.
Distinctive Features. The sociology and anthropology curriculum at Westmont offers students the unique opportunity to study sociology and anthropology from an evangelical Christian standpoint. Professors are concerned about the intellectual and spiritual development of each student. Students receive academic credit for supervised field experience in various public and private agencies and organizations in Santa Barbara. Sociology-Anthropology majors are encouraged to participate in an off-campus program. Many students take advantage of the learning opportunities available at Westmont’s nationally recognized Urban Program in San Francisco. Westmont sponsors several other opportunities that students find enrich their study of sociology or anthropology, though we recommend that you plan to attend only one program and only a total of eight units from such programs will be accepted toward the major requirements.
Career Choices. The sociology major provides an excellent background for a career in any of the “human services” including social work, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, probation, corrections, law enforcement, youth services and human resources. It also provides pre-professional preparation for the ministry, law, public administration, and community development. In addition, it offers excellent background for all health professions.
The sociology major also makes it possible for students to pursue further training at the graduate level and become professional sociologists or anthropologists. The anthropology component of the curriculum prepares students for careers in foreign service, cross-cultural health programs, international relief and development work, international business, and missionary outreaches in third world countries.
Interest Tracks: Recognizing that students may desire to study a particular aspect of sociology in depth to better prepare for a career, the sociology and anthropology department has established three formal tracks within the sociology curriculum.
Requirements for a Major: 46 units
Required Major Core: 18 units
Required Lower-Division Course: 4 units
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (4)
OR
AN 1 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (4) (preferred for the Cross-Cultural Track
Required Upper-Division Courses: 14 units
SOC 106 Social Research Methods (4)
SOC 107 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (4)
AN 192/SOC 192 Extracurricular Departmental Activities (2)
AN 195/SOC 195 Senior Seminar (4)
MA 5 Introduction to Statistics (4) highly recommended
Regardless of the number of off-campus programs attended, only 8 units will be accepted toward the major requirements and only 4 for the minor.
In addition to the above core, all majors must complete
one of the following tracks:
A. General Sociology Track: 28 units
This track is intended to accommodate students who wish to pursue different orientations than those specified in the other tracks. It is particularly suited for students who wish to pursue further work in academic sociology beyond the B.A.
Required Courses: 28 units
SOC 171 Sociological Theory (4)
Select one course from four out of the following five categories: (16)
1. Sociology of Religion
SOC 120 Religion and Society (4)
SOC 121 New Religious Movements (4)
2. Deviance and Social Control
SOC 177 Intimate Violence (4)
SOC 182 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (4)
3. Social Stratification
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
SOC 180 Human Services and Social Policy (4)
SOC 189 Racial and Ethnic Relations (4)
4. Comparative Sociology/Globalization
AN 140 Food Systems (4)
SOC/AN 155 Third World Studies (4)
5. Social Interaction
SOC 130 The Family (4)
SOC 145 Social Psychology (4)
SOC/AN 150 Cross-Cultural Communication (4)
SOC 175 Child Welfare (4)
*Department-approved upper-divisional sociology or anthropology electives (8)
B. Human Services Track: 28 units
This track is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the helping professions or in community organizations. It is appropriate for students interested in pursuing careers in social welfare and other human service areas as well as those drawn toward careers in counseling and the criminal justice system.
Required Courses: 28 units
SOC 171 Sociological Theory (4)
SOC 175 Child Welfare (4) or SOC 177 Intimate Violence
SOC 180 Human Services and Social Policy (4)
SOC 190 Field Placement (4-8 hours). Eight units of practicum (4 per semester) are strongly encouraged to provide continuity for both the student and the sponsoring agency) (Strongly recommended: SOC 180)
*Two of the following Department-approved Electives (8)
Suggested Electives:
SOC 110 Social Problems (4)
SOC 130 The Family (4)
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
SOC 182 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (4)
SOC 189 Racial and Ethnic Relations (4)
C. Cross-Cultural Studies Track: 28 units
This track is designed for students who are interested in studying the diverse cultural groups of the United States and third world nations. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in missions and cross-cultural ministries as well as for those who desire to pursue inter-cultural affairs for other applications.
Required Courses: 28 units
AN 145 Culture Theory (4)
SOC 189 Racial and Ethnic Relations (4) or AN 115 Peoples and Cultures (4)
Four of the following: (16)
AN 130 Applied Anthropology (4)
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
AN 140 Food Systems (4)
AN 150/SOC 150 Cross-Cultural Communication (4)
AN 155/SOC 155 Third World Studies (4)
Department-approved Upper-Division SOC/AN Elective (4)
*Not more than eight units of field experience, SOC 190 Field Placement or IS 190 Urban Program Practicum (8), may be included in the upper-division units. Students who intend to be sociology majors are strongly encouraged to complete the required theory and methods courses as soon as possible after completion of the introductory course. Prospective majors are also encouraged to discuss the different career tracks within the sociology curriculum with a sociology adviser. An anthropology minor is available for those students desiring a cross-cultural emphasis.
Requirements for an Anthropology Minor: 24 units
AN 1 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (4)
AN 145 Culture Theory (4)
Three of the following: (12)
AN 130 Applied Anthropology (4)
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
AN 140 Food Systems (4)
AN 150/SOC 150 Cross-Cultural Communication (4)
AN 155/SOC 155 Third World Studies (4)
Upper-Division SOC/AN Elective (4)
Requirements for a Sociology Minor: 24 units
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (4)
SOC 171 Sociological Theory (4)
Upper-Division SOC Electives: (16)
Lower-Division Course Descriptions
AN 1 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (4) The nature and dynamics of culture; a survey of the range of cultural phenomena, including material culture, social organization, religion and language, with emphasis on contemporary, non-literate societies. Emphasis is also given to theprocess of anthropological research, cross-cultural adaptation, and the applicability of anthropology to a range of social issues including healthcare, education, business, economic development, and missions.
Sociology
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (4) The analysis of patterned social relationships in modern societies and a survey of the major concepts and methods of sociology. Prerequisite to most upper-division courses in
sociology.
SOC 20 Contemporary Marriage (4) The nature of dating, courtship and marriage; topics include romantic love, mate selection, engagement, the psychology and theology of sexual relation, marital adjustment, family planning, parenthood, divorce, and remarriage.
Upper-Division Course Descriptions
Anthropology
AN 115 Peoples and Cultures (4) A survey of the culture types in a particular geographical area and the anthropological frameworks and methods that have been used to describe them. Course may be repeated as geographical area changes. Areas offered: Latin America and Asia.
AN 130 Applied Anthropology (4) Emphasizes the application of anthropological concepts, methods, and theories to solution of human problems. Topics covered include education, public health, natural resource management, health care, and rural development among others.
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4) A survey of the diversity of male and female roles in a variety of cultures. A review of the anthropological theories that explain the similarities and differences in the ways in which cultures construct gender and determine sex roles.
AN 140 Food Systems (4) Surveys food production and consumption systems practiced in cultures around the world. Addresses issues of hunger, ethics of consumption and social and environmental justice.
AN 145 Culture Theory (4) Examination of the theories anthropologists, from the Evolutionists to post-Modernists, have used to understand human cultures and to explain similarities and differences among them.
AN 150 Cross-Cultural Communication (4) The influence of culture on the communication process, including both verbal and non-verbal expression. Emphasizes problems of cross-cultural communication both overseas and within U.S. society with attention to acquiring skills to improve such communication.
AN 155 Third World Studies (4) Anthropological and sociological approaches to economic development and sociocultural change in the context of the new nation-states created since colonialism ended in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
AN 192 Extracurricular Departmental Activities (2) See SOC 192.
AN 195 Senior Seminar (4) Prerequisites: Senior status and completion of SOC 171 or AN 145, SOC 106, and MA 5 or SOC 107. See SOC 195.
AN 196 Topical Seminar (2-4) Prerequisite: Junior standing. Seminar topics to be announced by department. Enrollment limited.
Sociology
SOC 101 Principles of Sociology (4) Prerequisite: Junior standing. An advanced, preliminary course on the methods, theories and orientation of sociology. Emphasis on understanding and developing theoretical interpretations of culture and society through an examination of some of the core literature in the discipline.
SOC 106 Social Research Methods (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1 or MA 5. Introduces the major elements of scientific, social research such as developing a hypothesis or research question; literature reviews; and research design, measurement and sampling. Several research methods such as structured and unstructured interviews, surveys, participant observation, and cultural domain analysis are reviewed. Extended attention given to the ethical principals that guide the research process.
SOC 107 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (4) Prerequisite: SOC 106. Builds on material covered in SOC 106 with emphasis on data analysis and interpretation, particularly non-parametric and associational statistics, using SPSS. Students will also be introduced to qualitative data analysis.
SOC 110 Social Problems (4) Analysis of selected current social problems including poverty, crime, aging, race, gender, health care, and the
family.
SOC 120 Religion and Society (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. Religion as a social phenomenon; patterns of religious behavior in American society; the church as a social institution.
SOC 121 New Religious Movements (4) An examination of cults and new religions, psychic/occult phenomena, the New Age, and aberrational Christian groups. Sociological, psychological, and theological dimensions will be discussed.
SOC 130 The Family (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. A historical and cross-cultural study of the family as a social institution; including gender roles, social class, and family violence.
SOC 138 Complex Organizations (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. An analysis of the formal and informal structure of modern, complex organizations and the role of bureaucracy in contemporary society.
SOC 143 Urban Sociology (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. Dynamics and structure of the urban community; the growth of cities; problems and future prospects of modern city living.SOC 145 Social Psychology (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. A survey of the field of social psychology from a sociological orientation. Emphasis will be on basic theoretical concepts, with some consideration given to application.
SOC 150 Cross-Cultural Communication (4) See AN 150.
SOC 155 Third World Studies (4) See AN 155.
SOC 171 Sociological Theory (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. A survey of social theory from Comte to Garfinkel. Attention given to both substantive and metatheoretical ideas.
SOC 175 Child Welfare (4) The functions and purposes of child welfare programs including supportive, supplementary, and substitute services. Concepts underlying the special-needs child, foster care, institutional care, day care, and adoptions.
SOC 177 Intimate Violence (4) An overview of the policies, practices, interventions, laws and cultural issues related to the topics of family violence, partner abuse, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse and rape. Social work and sociological concepts, Christian values and ethics and beliefs affecting intimate violence will be explored. Special populations will be discussed.
SOC 180 Human Services and Social Policy (4) An examination of the historical basis of the social service delivery system. Additionally, the different fields of social work will be explored.
SOC 182 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (4) Prerequisite: SOC 1. An examination of sociological approaches to deviance and a survey of the major types of deviant behavior including alcoholism, homosexuality, mental illness, drug abuse, and prostitution.
SOC 189 Racial and Ethnic Relations (4) Provides an historical overview of racial and ethnic relations in the United States, with an emphasis on systemic racism in the cultural, economic, and political dimensions of social life. The course includes an analysis of contemporary race relations and of race-related issues and evaluates anti-racist strategies and solutions.
SOC 190 Field Placement (2-8) Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Practical field experience chosen from a variety of possible social service agencies and organizations. Supervision provided by qualified agency personnel and the instructor. Students must arrange their own transportation. In addition to the practical experience, students will be in class monthly (three hours) and meet for conferences. Students are encouraged to take the practicum on a 4-4 plan. Students may elect to apply eight units of IS 190 (San Francisco Urban Program) toward the major in lieu of field placement.
SOC 192 Extracurricular Departmental Activities (2) In order to enhance students abilities to link Christian faith and practice and major study as well as facilitate the creation of topics for more common department-wide conversations between students and faculty, students are required to participate in 26 hours of approved and/or required events during the course of their enrollment at Westmont. These events include departmentally sponsored colloquia or worship, departmental-wide field trips, the annual departmental retreat, and other selected events. Students will be provided lists of approved events at the beginning of each academic semester. Students should register for these units during one of their last two semesters on campus, though some hours of the 26 hours of required activity may be completed in prior semesters. Students may start acquiring the hours after they have declared sociology as their major. Only five department-approved hours will be accepted from off-campus events.
SOC 195 Senior Seminar (4) Prerequisites: Senior status and completion of SOC 171 or AN 145, SOC 106, and MA 5 or SOC 107. This course is designed for the synthesis of knowledge gained in the department’s offerings, the integration of sociological or anthropological thinking with a Christ-centered world view, and the application of such knowledge to areas of praxis, research, or contemporary social issues. Students are expected to do critical thinking in class and through the completion of a written senior project. Because of the different major tracks available to our students, students may choose one of these foci for their senior project: a major research project and paper; a paper examining a contemporary issue in the discipline incorporating a Christian perspective; or a praxis project involving the design of a program to address a current social need.
SOC 196 Topical Seminar (2-4) Prerequisite: Junior standing. Seminar topics to be announced by department. Enrollment limited.
SOC 198 Social Research Project (2) Prerequisite: Open only to senior sociology majors. Preparation of appropriate topical research paper under supervision of departmental adviser.