Herbert Haines, chair
Moffett Center, Room 2120
607-753-2726
Fax: 607-753-5973
cortland.edu/sociology/

School of Arts and Sciences

Faculty

Samantha Applin, Elizabeth Bittel, Anna Curtis, Stephanie Decker, Herbert Haines, Stephen Halebsky, Kent M. Johnson, Kassim Kone, John-Michael Simpson, William Skipper, John R. Sosa, Sharon Steadman, Anne Vittoria, Tiantian Zheng

Adjunct Faculty

For a listing of adjunct faculty see the Faculty and Administration  section.

Degrees and Minors

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology
Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education: Social Studies and Anthropology (7-12)
Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education: Social Studies and Sociology (7-12)
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Minor in Anthropology
Minor in Archaeology
Minor in Sociology

Concentrations

Americas Archaeology
Applied Anthropology
Criminology
Ethnic Studies
Social Gerontology
World Archaeology

Descriptions

ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology is the worldwide study of humanity, especially in terms of human culture. The discipline is divided into five sub-disciplines or approaches, namely cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological physical anthropology, linguistics, and applied anthropology. Each seeks to find a balance between scientific understanding and appreciation of human similarities and differences, with the applied sub-field representing an on-going attempt to use anthropological knowledge to address human problems.

Anthropology majors will be introduced to the various anthropological fields, including archaeology, physical biological anthropology and linguistic and cultural anthropology. Students have the option of concentrating in applied anthropology, Americas or world archaeology or ethnic studies. Whether or not a concentration is chosen, students will complete a program that provides them with a solid basis for understanding the field of anthropology in general, as well as the human cultural systems of the past and present world.

There is also an anthropology minor which is particularly suitable for those interested in the teaching professions who must be prepared for the multicultural classrooms of today's schools. Students who are interested in teaching may combine study in the anthropology major with professional courses leading to a qualification for initial certification in adolescence education: social studies (grades 7-12).

Special Opportunities

• Hands-on work with objects in the in-house Brooks Museum and Lee Beam Collection and with material from archaeological excavations
• Archaeological fieldwork opportunities and possible paid work after ANT 400 participation
• Archaeological/ethnographic fieldwork opportunities outside the U.S.
• Anthropology Honors Program
• Student Referral Program
• Internships
• Teaching certification for adolescence social studies

ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeology is the discipline within anthropology that studies prehistoric and historic societies in worldwide contexts. The archaeological discipline offers a balance between the scientific investigation and culture-based understanding of past societies through their material remains and their environmental settings.

Archaeology majors may choose between the Americas or world archaeology concentrations, both of which are seated solidly in an anthropological archaeology paradigm, in which students gain a firm cultural anthropological basis for exploring ancestral and prehistoric cultures of these geographical regions. Students also acquire basic knowledge of the scientific and laboratory-based methods employed in the discipline.

There is also a minor in archaeology which is particularly suitable for those interested in the teaching professions who must be prepared to teach about global cultures both past and present.

Career Opportunities

• Teaching (all levels at elementary and secondary schools)
• State and Federal advisory positions (e.g. Environmental Protection Agency)
• Cultural Resource/Land Management/Environmental Agencies
• National and State Park Service
• Public Archaeology Facilities
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre
• College Professor
• Museum Curator
• Laboratory (archaeobotanical/archaeozoological/archaeometric) consultant/technician

CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology focuses on the nature and causes of crime, as well as the analysis of crime control policy. The B.A. allows students to pursue focused study in criminology within the context of a broad liberal arts education. It offers the dual options of preparation for immediate entry into employment in the criminal justice area or pursuit of advanced studies in criminology and related fields at the graduate level.

With appropriate guidance from advisors, students can combine the criminology major with course work in other areas that will prepare them for graduate-level studies in forensics, computer crime investigation, law, counseling and social work.

Special Opportunities

• Internships
• Study Abroad
• Exchange Program with Griffith University, Australia
• National Honor Society in Criminology — Alpha Phi Sigma
• Criminology Club

SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is a way of understanding human behavior. The discipline's central premise is that the behavior of individuals is a function of social context: We live our lives as we do because we live among particular others in a particular place at a particular time. Proceeding scientifically and holistically, sociology attempts to understand how, broadly speaking, culture and social structure (the economy, politics, family, religion, etc.) shape the lives of those who participate in them; the ultimate goal of that understanding being to improve the quality of those lives.

The sociology program offers a curriculum designed to help students develop their analytical skills and ability to understand conceptual and theoretical material. Courses encourage students to think creatively and flexibly and to broaden their perspectives on the world around them. Sociology majors acquire an educational background that is useful in careers relating to counseling, gerontology, human services, law, law enforcement, probation work, public administration, management and international relations, among others.

The major also prepares students for a variety of careers in the private and public sectors that require an understanding of race and ethnic relations, cross-cultural settings, contemporary social problems, and demographic and social transformations in contemporary society.

Students are encouraged to take pre-career internships and research experiences for academic credit. Students who are interested in teaching may combine study in the sociology major with professional courses leading to a qualification for initial certification in adolescence social studies (grades 7-12).

Special Opportunities

• Internships
• Study Abroad
• International honor society in sociology (Alpha Kappa Delta)
• Sociology/Anthropology Club
• Teaching certification for adolescence social studies

Requirements

1. Degree requirements  listed in this catalog apply to all sociology majors.
2. Liberal Arts Requirements – 90 credit hours

Programs

• Anthropology [ANT]
• Anthropology: Concentration in Applied Anthropology [ANT_APPL]
• Anthropology: Concentration in Ethnic Studies [ANT_ETHS]
• Archaeology: Concentration in Americas Archaeology [ARC_AARC] or World Archaeology [ARC_WARC]
• Criminology [CRIM]
• Sociology [SOC]
• Sociology: Concentration in Criminology [SOC_CRIM]
• Sociology: Concentration in Social Gerontology [SOC_SGRT]

• Dual Major in Adolescence Education: Social Studies and Anthropology (7-12) [SST_ANT]
• Dual Major in Adolescence Education: Social Studies and Sociology (7-12) [SST_SOC]

• Anthropology Minor [ANT]
• Archaeology Minor [ARC]
• Sociology Minor [SOC]

Courses

• SOC 378 - Cross-Cultural Study of Sex Crimes
• SOC 380 - White-Collar Crime
• SOC 383 - Crime and Inequality
• SOC 385 - Sociology of Work
• SOC 392 - Incarceration and the Family
• SOC 395 - The Politics of Crime Control
• SOC 399 - Sterilization, Reproductive Technologies and Abortion
• SOC 401 - Sociology of Sex and Gender
• SOC 420 - Issues in Gerontology
• SOC 425 - Sociology of Aging and the Life Course
• SOC 429 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 430 - Social Welfare Institutions
• SOC 451 - Social Stratification
• SOC 461 - Urban Sociology
• SOC 462 - Juvenile Delinquency
• SOC 463 - Criminological Theory
• SOC 464 - Corrections
• SOC 465 - Political Sociology
• SOC 470 - Sociology of the Family
• SOC 475 - Sociology of Religion
• SOC 477 - Social Control
• SOC 480 - Social Movements
• SOC 485 - Capital Punishment
• SOC 492 - Sociological Theory
• SOC 505 - Sociology of Education
• SOC 529 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 596 - Independent Study in Sociology