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Sociology and Anthropology - COAS

Welcome to the IU Northwest Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology is the scientific study of society, social institutions, and social relationships, paying specific attention to the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings. 

Anthropology is the study of humans both past and present, including the study of human cultural behavior, biology, and languages.  The program delves into a variety of subject areas, including Native Americans (historic and prehistoric), medical anthropology, primatology, ethnography, world cultures, linguistics, bio anthropology (including an introduction to forensics), prehistoric archaeology, human paleontology, and food and culture.

Program Highlights

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree program that explores the systematic study of society from the micro-level (the individual in society) to the macro-level (the study of institutions). Sociology majors are also encouraged to draw upon the resources of other departments in the social and behavioral sciences, the physical/natural sciences, and the humanities.

Students in the Anthropology program can focus on one of the four main areas of discipline:

  • Physical Anthropology
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Linguistic Anthropology

The IU Northwest Anthropology Lab and Resource Center serves as a research and teaching room that contains dozens of real and replica modern skeletal remains, fossils, and other anatomical specimens used in various courses.  A major use of the room is in training students in Forensic Anthropology.

Career Opportunities

Sociology graduates are well prepared for working in social agencies and programs related to social servic­es such as child welfare, family counseling, community development, mental hospitals, drug treatment, and education.

Students with a background in anthropology possess developed critical thinking and communication skills, preparing them for work in a wide range of fields.  Common fields include archaeology, social services, museum work, community involvement, government park services, marketing and market research, as well as graduate school.

For More Information

Browse the links above and visit the individual program pages to learn about degree and course requirements, student clubs and activities, and more.

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at IU Northwest!