Adam Buchwalter ’04 (right) traveled to Peru and visited the Inca’s ancient city of Machu Picchu with his independent study adviser Susan Niles, professor of anthropology.

Society and Culture

Anthropology and sociology students probe beneath the surface of human relations to explore questions such as:

	Is human society an orderly, integrated cohesive system or is it really a battleground of conflict between classes, races, ethnic groups, even men and women?
	What common elements are found in all human societies and what makes each distinct?
	How can the direction of social change be determined? Is it possible to control change?
	When did the first humans appear? What does it mean to be human?

Through this exploration, you may begin to see yourself and your place in society in a whole new way. You also acquire skills of observation, analysis, and understanding that will serve you throughout your life.

Studying anthropology and sociology at Lafayette gives you:

	an overall appreciation of the structure of society and the nature of social interaction;
	broad understanding of people;
	awareness and sensitivity to different cultural perspectives that is invaluable in today's global society;
	observation skills that enable you to analyze groups in action and draw conclusions about how organizations function;
	the skills for collecting and analyzing data.

Course of Study

Recent seminars have explored anthropology through literature, the organization of nuclear weapons, the sociology of revolution, and the sociology of sports. Your course work is completed in three phases:

	Introduction to the general perspectives of anthropology and sociology usually during the first two years,
	Middle-level courses such as medical anthropology, political sociology, and European communities;
	Courses on qualitative and quantitative social science research methods that provide advanced students with the skills to complete independent study projects and honors theses;
	Independent study projects in which knowledge and skills are organized and fused.

A specialized computer laboratory in the department includes software for analyzing data and preparing reports. You can also videotape scenes for ethnographic studies and edit them in the department's video laboratory.

Lafayette offers both a major and a minor in anthropology and sociology. Since the two subject areas are combined in one department at Lafayette, you can tailor a course sequence to emphasize one or the other or draw from both perspectives. This flexibility is especially desirable for majors planning to go on to graduate study in anthropology or sociology or in professional fields including law, business, social work, and the health professions.

After Graduation

Among majors in the classes of 2002 and 2003, 45 percent accepted jobs, 5 percent went to law school, 14 percent enrolled in other graduate programs, and 23 percent were traveling, volunteering, applying to graduate school, or doing something else they wished.

Recent graduates have pursued advanced studies in a range of areas including:

LAW—Harvard University, Boston College, Columbia University, Rutgers University, Brooklyn University, Widener University; MEDICINE—Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; BUSINESS—University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, Thunderbird School of International Business; SOCIOLOGY—University of Pennsylvania, New York University, St. John’s University; SOCIAL WORK—Emory University; ANTHROPOLOGY—Wesleyan University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Virginia, George Washington University, Temple University; URBAN STUDIES—University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh University, Cornell University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; ARCHITECTURE—University of Pennsylvania.

Recent majors have found jobs in education (both secondary and college level) and in advertising. They have also taken positions as crew member with an archaeological team, member of both Peace Corps and VISTA, lawyer, business consultant, paralegal, market analyst, sales representative, insurance claims representative, historical association research director, and assistant in a city planning office.

Faculty

Dan F. Bauer, Professor. Ph.D., University of Rochester. Special interests: African anthropology, Mexican ethnography, political anthropology, and systems of thought. Has published a book on his African research and is writing a book based on a year of fieldwork in rural Mexico. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award.

Susan Niles, (Home Page), Professor. Ph.D., University of California. Special interests: South American archaeology, South American ethnology, folklore method and theory, and architecture. Has published books on South American Indian narrative and Inca architecture. Directs the study-abroad semester in Guatemala. Recipient of Jones Award for superior teaching and scholarship, Student Government Superior Teaching Awards, and Jones Faculty Lecture Award.

Howard G. Schneiderman, Professor and Head. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania. Special interests: political sociology, sociological theory, American politics. Most recently edited The Protestant Establishment Revisited and The Hindrances to Good Citizenship and has authored numerous articles. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award, Student Government Superior Teaching Awards, and Crawford Award for classroom instruction.

David Shulman, Associate Professor. Ph.D., Northwestern University. Special interests: deception, dramaturgy and impression management, organizations, consumer research, and methodology. He has published articles on these topics and has a book forthcoming on everyday deception in the workplace, From Hire to Liar (Cornell University Press, 2006). Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award.

William C. Bissell, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of Chicago. Special interests: African and Afro-American studies, colonial cities, Kiswahili language. Has published articles on the colonial past in Zanzibar and African iconography.

Rebecca J. Kissane, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania. Special Interests: poverty, urban sociology, the family, and the welfare state. She has published articles on welfare reform, community-based organizations, and work-family tradeoffs for low income women. She is currently examining how neighborhood change affects the well-being of low-income public housing families.

Andrea L. Smith, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of Arizona. Special interests: European ethnography, collective memory, colonialism. She has published articles on social memory and colonialism.

Caroline Lee, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of California, San Diego. Special Interests: urban/rural sociology, American political development, law and society, place and environment. She has published on model employers and regional identity.

Howard Schneidermann
Head, Anthropology and Sociology
(610) 330-5185
schneide@lafayette.edu

For general information:
Office of admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 330-5100
FAX (610) 250-5355
admissions@lafayette.edu