Sociology and Anthropology
When you choose a major in sociology and anthropology, you become a member of an enthusiastic intellectual community dedicated to the study of the social and cultural processes that shape our contemporary world. You will develop the thinking tools, research skills, and social ethics that prepare you to understand the world and act in it.
Why Choose a Degree in Sociology and Anthropology?
Our program builds on the overlapping concerns and distinctive strengths of our two disciplines: sociology and anthropology. Rather than establishing separate tracks, we follow an integrated curriculum dedicated to providing solid preparation in the theories and methodologies of these intersecting fields. You will join in critical investigation of pressing issues of the day: capitalism, environmental sustainability, food systems, health care, migration, nationalism, religious commitment, social injustice, technological innovation, tourism, violence and suffering, and more. Our courses are attuned to how these matters impact the everyday lives of people globally.
We also believe in collaborating with students on research projects—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, or both—and helping them find and secure internships or practica in Portland and beyond. Our students graduate with research, writing, and analytical skills that equip them well for a wide range of professional endeavors and graduate programs.
What You’ll Study
Our curriculum stresses the relationship between cultural formations and social structures set in historical context. Courses draw heavily on cross-cultural examples, focusing on areas of faculty expertise in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. The study of inequality across race, gender, class, and other forms of social difference provides a critical point of conjuncture for our joint curriculum. Our faculty are strongly committed to teaching a variety of methodologies and perspectives, including ethnographic fieldwork and interviewing, statistics and survey research techniques, textual and discourse analysis, historical methods, and computer-mediated modes of inquiry. This approach, which is in keeping with recent trends in both sociology and anthropology, provides a strong foundation for engaged student research that culminates in a senior thesis project.
We believe in collaborating with students on research projects around the world—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, both, or other channels—and helping them find and secure internships in Portland and beyond. Recent internships included placements with an Oregon senator’s office, immigration and refugee community-organizing groups, a local newspaper, and National Geographic. Many of our students also earn course credit while on an overseas program, and draw on their experience abroad in their senior thesis project.
Outside the classroom, our faculty and students come together for barbecues, hikes, pizza dinners, brunches, research presentations, and other departmental events throughout the year.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our sociology and anthropology majors are entrepreneurial leadership and innovation, ethnic studies, and gender studies.
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
Helen Guyton BA ’23More about HelenIn the fall of my sophomore year, I took my first sociology class and immediately knew that sociology and anthropology was for me. Since then, I have taken an incredible breadth of classes within the major, and have loved each one partially due to the incredible faculty in the department.
Zayla Asquith-Heinz BA ’19More about ZaylaThat moment of passionate teaching and engaged, curious conversation set the tone of the entire trip.
Rocío Yao BA ’24More about RocíoWhat I love most about my international affairs and sociology and anthropology double major is that the professors are incredibly passionate about what they teach. They are approachable, friendly, and extremely good resources.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Sociology and Anthropology?
Our alumni use their BA in sociology and anthropology to pursue graduate studies and professional work in a wildly diverse set of fields that range from medicine to urban planning, law to secondary education, public policy to cultural studies.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Invest in Yourself
A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their sociology and anthropology major, like Students for Transformative Action, Abolition, Resilience (STAAR). Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list? Start something new and build your own community of peers!
Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You
Andrea Blobel Pérez BA ’19More about AndreaTake classes that inspire and interest you. Make connections with people and make the most out of this time to explore who you are and what you’d like to become.
Alexander Castanes BA ’18More about AlexanderWhile the classes I took helped me write and exposed me to new forms of knowledge and experiences different from my own, my professors taught me how to interact with people.
Shalini Hanstad More about ShaliniThe most important thing I learned at Lewis & Clark was the transformative power of community.
Sociology and Anthropology Events
SOAN Senior Thesis Presentations FA23 (DAY 2)
Come hear from SOAN Seniors as the present their thesis research - learn something new, hear about some amazing research, and enjoy free food! We’ll have two nights of presentations, so don’t miss out.
