Lecture Series
The Butler A. Jones Lectureship on Race and Society brings renowned scholars to Ohio Wesleyan to speak and meet with students. Recent speakers have included filmmaker Sarah Burns and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Sociology & Anthropology
Examine social and cultural diversity, social inequalities, and contemporary, often controversial, social issues such as poverty and homelessness, crime and social deviance, globalization and international conflict, race and ethnic relations, physical and mental health, and the changing roles of women and men. Explore the differences across cultures and within the United States in peoples’ experiences of such areas as family life, education, work, and religion.
About the Major
The SOAN Department focuses on the shared intellectual tradition and methods of sociology and cultural anthropology. As a major, you will follow a carefully designed curriculum that begins at the foundations of social science and branches into topics that are critical to understanding human behavior in society and across cultures in the contemporary era. Beyond foundational coursework in social thought and classes that reflect student interest, you will have many opportunities to apply sociological and anthropological knowledge and skill to prepare you for a vast array of career options. These experiences come in the form of service-based learning, research experiences, and the many opportunities for off-campus learning (domestic and international). Our graduates are well-prepared to use the explanatory power of the disciplines to enter a great diversity of careers upon graduation or continue to graduate school in either field.
Related Minors
Think Big
Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.
We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis. OWU provides opportunities, including traveling abroad, for you to explore an existing problem or develop a totally new avenue of exploration. You can work with a faculty mentor and apply for grant funding—and present your research at the Student Symposium in the spring.
Go Global
From your first year on campus, you can get off campus—with travel-learning courses. Journey to a distant land and immerse yourself in another culture. Learn how classroom theory truly connects with real-world experience.
Sociology & Anthropology majors have taken Travel-Learning courses and received OWU Connection grants for projects in Europe and South America.
Get Real
The department gives credit in the major to juniors and seniors who take internship positions in local organizations and agencies. Some ongoing internships are with the Delaware Juvenile Court, Turning Point (a domestic abuse shelter), and HelpLine (crisis intervention and referral).
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Highlights
Spring Break Service
Every spring break, teams of OWU students spread out across the nation and in Central America doing volunteer work. Interfaith Service Week projects have provided community support in New Orleans, Chicago, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and many more locations. It's spring break with a greater purpose.
Documentary Filmmaking
In the Ethnographic and Documentary Film and Filmmaking class, students create short documentaries about sociological topics of their choice. The films are shown at the annual OWU Documentary Film Festival.
Undergraduate Conference
In the spring, OWU students and faculty attend – and present at – an undergraduate sociology conference.
Graduate Outcomes
Josh Epkins ’19
After graduating, Josh was accepted to Boston College and is pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Social Work. While at OWU, Josh participated in volunteer service opportunities with the Delaware County Juvenile Court and with the Columbus Initiative.
A Look at SOAN
I³ Lecture by Dr. Paul Dean— What a 10-year-old taught me about my own privilege
I³ Lecture by Dr. Paul Dean
What a 10-year-old taught me about my own privilege
Classes at Queens— Students attended classes with sociology professors at Queens University Belfast while on a Theory-to-Practice Grant to Northern Ireland.
Classes at Queens
Students attended classes with sociology professors at Queens University Belfast while on a Theory-to-Practice Grant to Northern Ireland.
Elliott Hall— The Sociology and Anthropology department resides in the building where OWU opened in 1842.
Elliott Hall
The Sociology and Anthropology department resides in the building where OWU opened in 1842.
Exploring Colonialism in France— Caroline Shaffer '20, Raissa Kanku '19, Allie Eynon '19 and Farida Rezk '20 (L-R) used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to study the lasting social impact of French colonialism.
Exploring Colonialism in France
Caroline Shaffer '20, Raissa Kanku '19, Allie Eynon '19 and Farida Rezk '20 (L-R) used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to study the lasting social impact of French colonialism.
Consequences of Colonialism— Farida Rezk '20 examines museum narratives while on a Theory-to-Practice Grant studying French colonialism.
Consequences of Colonialism
Farida Rezk '20 examines museum narratives while on a Theory-to-Practice Grant studying French colonialism.
Theory-to-Practice— Eli Reed '19, Anna L. Davies '19 and Cara Harris '18 studied the similarities and differences of Northern Irish sectarianism and American racism. Their trip included attending lectures at Ulster University and Queens University Belfast, taking walking tours of the city and listening to personal narratives of locals involved in The Troubles.
Theory-to-Practice
Eli Reed '19, Anna L. Davies '19 and Cara Harris '18 studied the similarities and differences of Northern Irish sectarianism and American racism. Their trip included attending lectures at Ulster University and Queens University Belfast, taking walking tours of the city and listening to personal narratives of locals involved in The Troubles.
Studying Museum Narratives— Caroline Shaffer '20 (left) and Raissa Kanku '19 (right) studied colonialism in the French-speaking world and examined the narratives of museums.
Studying Museum Narratives
Caroline Shaffer '20 (left) and Raissa Kanku '19 (right) studied colonialism in the French-speaking world and examined the narratives of museums.
Department Contact Info
Location
Elliott Hall
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3835
F 740-368-3644
F 740-368-3644
Department Contact
Chair: Paul S. Dean
Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Justice
Elliott Hall 211
740-368-3837
psdean@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Dawn Wright
Elliott Hall 110
740-368-3631
dmwright@owu.edu
Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Justice
Elliott Hall 211
740-368-3837
psdean@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Dawn Wright
Elliott Hall 110
740-368-3631
dmwright@owu.edu