The behavioral sciences of sociology and anthropology help students develop an appreciation and understanding of the myriad structures and processes that characterize life in social groups. While sociology tends to concentrate on complex modern societies, exploring societal change and institutions, anthropology tends to cover a wider span, focusing on both Western and non-Western societies. (cultural anthropology is stressed at Baruch.) The methods and insights of sociology and cultural anthropology offer the tools you need to succeed in our globalizing world and to grapple with the great challenges and questions of our time. Does "the American Dream" still work, as Baruch College's motto claims, or has income inequality in America reached the point of no return? Are there universal human rights? If so, who gets to decide what they are? What is globalization exactly, and how does it shape your life and the lives of others? How can we meet the challenges posed by urbanization and climate change? What is sexuality and why are there so many strong opinions about it? Is there really any such thing as religious violence? What is religion, anyway? What do changing attitudes toward gender roles tell us about what it means to be an American? What is race? Why does racism persist?
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Baruch College offers courses that can help you understand your place in the world, your part in it, and what it takes to create change and progress in your own life, your career, and in the world. Pursuing a major in sociology or a minor in sociology or cultural anthropology, is both intellectually compelling and practical. Students who concentrate in these disciplines pursue careers in criminal justice, human services, education, government, non-profits, and business. Students at Baruch who opt to major in a business discipline can enhance their appeal to prospective employers by minoring in sociology or cultural anthropology. Both of these disciplines foster creative, critical, and innovative thinking skills that are honed through engagement with real-life situations and problems.
Sociology majors must satisfy the degree requirements of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences as well as departmental requirements. In addition to completing an introductory or prerequisite course in either sociology or anthropology. a total of 24 credits of coursework in the department are requirements. These include two foundation courses, and six elective courses at the 3000-level or above. One of those electives must be a sociology course at the 4000-level or above and one must be an anthropology elective at the 3000 or 4000-level. Elective courses cover a broad range of topics, including the following: globalization; migration; race; gender and sexuality; social inequality; religion; urban life and institutions; environment and climate change; human geography; area studies; religion health; social movements; and peace and war. Students who are interested in any of the specific areas of focus are encouraged to seek advisement from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Program Learning Goals
Upon completion of a major in Sociology, students will be able to:
Major Course Requirements
| Introductory Course: | |||
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits | |
| or | |||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
Foundation Courses: 6 credits | |||
| Sociological Theory ( | 3 credits | |
| Research Methods in Sociology and Anthropology ( | 3 credits | ||
| Electives: 18 credits | |||
| Any courses in Sociology or Anthropology at the intermediate or advanced level (3000 or 4000-level). Sociology majors must take at least one elective course in Sociology at the 4000-level or above and one elective course in Anthropology at the 3000 or 4000-level. | |||
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers minors in both sociology and anthropology. These programs give students an in-depth understanding of key concepts of fields within sociology and anthropology. Students are required to take three courses in the department at the 3000 or 4000-level, including at least one at the 4000-level. Although the department recommends either ANT 4800 or SOC 4900, any 4000-level course offered by the department may serve as the capstone for either the sociology or the anthropology minor.
The New York City Studies Minor provides students the opportunity to learn about the impact of global trends on New York City, specifically, in addition to urban environments more generally. Students will analyze the intersections and contests between global institutions, elites, and local communities. Courses in this program will allow students to understand the rapidly changing economic, political, social, environmental, and religious landscapes of the world today.
This minor is not open to students in the Macaulay Honors Program, and it satisfies the College Option requirement.
Required Capstone Course:
| New York: The Global City ( | 3 credits |
Elective courses (choose two):
| The Remaking of New York: The Immigrant Experience ( | 3 credits | |
| Special Topics in Sociology and Anthropology * ( | 3 credits | |
Race and Ethnic Relations ( | 3 credits | |
| Urban Anthropology | 3 credits | |
| Urban Sociology | 3 credits | |
| Chinese Immigration in Global Perspective ( | 3 credits | |
| Religious Worlds of New York ( | 3 credits |
* Students may use this course if the topic is relevant to the minor. Please consult the Director of the New York Studies Program for permission.
| Introductory Sociology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cuban Culture and Society ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The U.S. and Mexican Border ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| The Changing Demographics of the City ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociology of Bioethics | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Remaking of New York: the Immigrant Experience ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Migration in the Americas ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Sociology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Selected Topics in Sociology and Anthropology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Women, Culture, and Society ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Native Americans ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Peoples and Cultures of Mediterranean Europe ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cultures and Peoples of India ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cultures and Peoples of the South Pacific Islands (ANT 3114) | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| People and Culture of Haiti ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Passing, Covering, and Social Stigma in Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality ( ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
The City That Care Forgot: The Roots, Ruin, and Rebirth of New Orleans ( ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Sociology of the Family | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Welfare Institutions | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociology of Health and Illness ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociology of Complex Organizations | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociology of Religion | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Issues And Social Policy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Communication ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Crime and Justice in Sociological Perspective | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Urban Sociology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Inequality | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Civil Society And Community Organizations | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Demography | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Movements | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Lives of Hinduism ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Religion of Everyday Life ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Internship in Human Service and Community Organization I | hours to be arranged; 3 credits | |
| Internship in Human Service and Community Organizations II | hours to be arranged; 3 credits | |
| The Tradition of Islam ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Chinese Immigration in Global Perspective ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Globalization of English ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Writers and Their Spiritual Searches: Religious Themes in Contemporary Literature ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Methods of Sociological Research | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Religious Worlds of New York ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociological Theory ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Research Methods in Sociology and Anthropology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Statistics | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| New York: The Global City | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Sociological Analysis | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Independent Study I | hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study II | hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study III | hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study IV | hours and credits to be arranged |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Human Geography ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cuban Culture and Society ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Anthropology of Business | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The U.S. and Mexican Border ( | |||
| The Remaking of New York: the Immigrant Experience ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| World Regional Geography ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Selected Topics in Anthropology and Sociology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Anthropology and Contemporary World Issues (formerly ANT 4015) | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Women, Culture, and Society ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Native Americans ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Peoples and Cultures of Mediterranean Europe ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cultures and Peoples of India ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cultures and Peoples of the South Pacific Islands ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| People and Culture of Haiti ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Passing, Covering, and Social Stigma in Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality ( ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
The City That Care Forgot: The Roots, Ruin, and Rebirth of New Orleans ( ( | |||
| Sociology of Health and Illness ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Social Communication ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Urban Anthropology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Power and Conflict | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Lives of Hinduism ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Religion of Everyday Life ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| The Tradition of Islam ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Anthropology of Violence and Memory | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| South Asian Religion ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Seminar on the Anthropology of Peace and War | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Translating Between Worlds: Literature and Anthropology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Writers and Their Spiritual Searches: Religious Themes in Contemporary Literature ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Religious Worlds of New York ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sociological Theory ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Research Methods in Sociology and Anthropology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| New York: The Global City | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Anthropological Analysis | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Independent Study I | hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study II | hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Honors Anthropology I | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Honors Anthropology II | 3 hours; 3 credits |
| Introduction to Human Geography ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| World Regional Geography ( | 3 hours; 3 credits |