Undergraduate Programs

Anthropology

Anthropology is the worldwide comparative study of humankind, present and past. The Anthropology major at UMBC focuses on cultural anthropology, providing students with an understanding of the diversity of cultural worlds, human social organization and social structure, and social research methods. Anthropology courses help students gain an understanding of the complexity of current events within the U.S. and internationally as well as the importance of recognizing and weighing equally cultural values and ideas from across the globe. Course offerings examine topics ranging from anthropological theory and the positioning of knowledge and power, to the application of anthropology to urban social issues, health care, and public policy.

Sociology

Broadly speaking, sociology is the study of society, social behavior, groups and social institutions. The field of sociology offers a range of distinctive theoretical perspectives and research techniques to investigate all aspects of the social world. Sociologists examine the patterns and structures of, and processes involved in human interaction from small groups to larger organizations, and societies. Topics of sociological research include social problems, social norms and deviance, social diversity, social change and inequality. Examples include the effects of divisions along ethnic, gender, age, and social class lines on access to health care, educational achievement, work and other social opportunities. Others focus on the analysis of the care of elders and children, human sexuality, medical care, poverty, crime, and social movements.

Undergraduate majors in sociology take courses in substantive areas of sociology, methods of sociological research, and sociological theory. This training equips them to understand the content and process of sociological research and to work in public, non-profit, and private organizations where those skills are useful. The knowledge of sociology is most useful for employment in health, social service, and educational organizations, and in personnel, human resources, and marketing departments of private businesses and public agencies. Sociology also provides appropriate training for graduate study in social sciences and many professional fields, including business, public and health administration, law, social work, medicine and education. At UMBC students can pursue graduate training in sociology, such as in the M.A. in Applied Sociology or in combined B.A./M.A. degree program.

You can also refer to the UMBC Undergraduate Catalog 2011 and/or the Sociology Student's Guide for further information about the Academic Program and Course descriptions for the Sociology Major, Minor, BA/MA or MA program.