Overview
Matthew Bereza, Chair of the Division of Behavior Sciences
The Anthropology/Sociology major offers students a broadly comparative and critical approach to understanding human behavior, cultural expression, and social organization—past and present. Combining the strengths of both disciplines, the program helps students make sense of a rapidly changing world by exploring complex questions about identity, inequality, community, and global systems.
Students gain foundational knowledge in cultural and biological anthropology, linguistic variation, and archaeology, while also investigating contemporary issues such as criminal justice, social media, public health, economic inequality, environmental change, and the dynamics of race, gender, and sexuality. Whether asking why our media is obsessed with crime, how drug use differs by social context, or how global labor markets transform local communities, students are encouraged to think critically and comparatively about human societies across time and space.
This major prepares students for diverse careers in law, human services, global health, education, journalism, and policy, while also developing the analytical and intercultural skills necessary for graduate study or engaged citizenship. Majors may also pursue focused tracks in human services or public and community health. A double major or minor in a complementary field is strongly encouraged.