THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY's main office is located in Stone Hall on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. You can reach us by phone at (765) 494-4668, by fax at (765) 496-1476, and by e-mail at socanth@sla.purdue.edu.

Mission of the Department:

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology has as its mission the education of students, both undergraduate and graduate, to present knowledge of the disciplines as a contribution to liberal arts education and to prepare graduate students to become practicing professionals.

Background and History of the Department

Sociology was first taught at Purdue in 1917, as a part of the general Education program. A graduate program began in 1947, and in 1953 the department was organized as a separate unit. Anthropology was included in the department name several years ago to reflect the actual course offerings.

At present, the department has nearly 450 undergraduate majors and about 65 graduate students in Sociology and Anthropology. There are 35 faculty members, several of whom have joint appointments with other programs.

Departmental Directory

Head of Department: Carolyn Cummings Perrucci

Chair of Graduate Studies: Harry R. Potter

Chair of Anthropology: Richard Blanton

Faculty in the Sociology and Anthropology Department

Anthropology

Students are prepared to develop an understanding of the present as well as the past through studying the ways in which a culture's components (i.e., technology, the economy, the arts, religion, politics) combine to form a unique whole. Coursework encompasses such varied areas as fossil man, human genetics, primate behavior, the structure and development of language, and the organization and nature of human culture. Anthropology courses provide the foundation for gradute work in archaeology, cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.

Law and Society

Law and Society is a sociology major emphasizing concepts, theories and research methods as applied to the study of law and law-related structures and processes. Coursework encompasses a variety of areas including deviant behavior, juvenile delinquency, the role of law in society, family law, and the sociology of police. Law and Society courses provide a foundation for graduate training in sociology, other social science disciplines, public administration, public policy, or law.

Sociology

Students examine a variety of forms of social organization and the composition and behavior of human groups and ways in which these groups affect individuals. Class sequences include study of the family, urbanism, criminology and social deviance, health services, population and demography, and social survey and other research methods. With the proper seletion of electives and related areas, students are prepared for careers in actuarial science, labor relations, urban planning, management analysis, market research, personnel work, and public relations. In addition, students are provided with preparatory training for graduate study in a variety of social science disciplines.

Social Research Institute

The Social Research Institute (SRI) is the organization designed to encourage and support research activities in the department. In fulfilling this mission, SRI services include:

  • maintenance of computer facilities in the Data Lab and faculty/staff offices
  • consultation with faculty and students regarding plans for data management
  • assistance to faculty and students in data entry and analysis
  • technical support of proposals for research grants and contracts
  • planning for the computer needs of the Data Lab, faculty, and staff
  • typing of manuscripts
  • many other tasks related to the development of research in the department

The Graduate Program in Sociology

Looking for an On-Line Graduate Application?

Undergraduate Program

Gerontology Program


This page is maintained by the Sociology and Anthropology web coordinator. See the Liberal Arts Home Page for information about this web site.

17 Dec 98