Sociology and Anthropology Department

Liberty Hall Ruins

The faculty in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has a combined interest in culture and society. Because the world in which we live is so diverse and interconnected, our mission is to empower students to examine their own lives and values in the context of many different societies, including our own, to develop understandings of cultural variation.

In teaching about what it means to be human, we offer a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies through which students learn about social interaction and cultural practices. Our students acquire advanced skills of critical thinking, precise writing, and well-informed interaction with diverse communities. These abilities are extraordinarily helpful in a variety of career choices, including business, law, the health professions, and graduate school.

Student Outcomes

Danika Brockman '21

Danika Brockman '21

Danika Brockman '21

"My SOAN classes taught me about the process of statistical research, the theory surrounding it and the practice of such research."

Read Danika's Story

Feature Stories


The Lenfest Center Presents ‘Table Talks at Kamen Gallery: Art, Insight & Lunch’

The interactive experience will be in Kamen Gallery at noon on Oct. 14 and is a part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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Campus Kitchen Announces 2025-26 Just Food Series

W&L alumni return to campus as lecturers for the annual event series, which examines how food systems interact with issues of social justice.

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The Lenfest Center Presents ‘Native Art & Ancestral Inspiration: Drawing Endurance’

The pop-up exhibit will be on view in Kamen Gallery beginning Sept. 4 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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