2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Studies


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Virginia Beard, Chair
Cathy Carter, Administrative Assistant

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Studies offers undergraduate majors and minors in sociology, anthropology, and criminology/criminal justice. Students majoring in sociology or in anthropology may earn either the BA or BS degree. Students majoring in criminology/criminal justice will earn a BS degree.

The departmental curriculum is designed to provide knowledge, skills and abilities to students who plan to (1) seek employment in business, industry, criminal justice, human service, or related fields, (2) pursue advanced studies in law, public policy, urban planning, or related fields, or (3) engage in graduate work in sociology, anthropology, criminology, criminal justice, or related fields.

Sociology majors may specialize in Family Studies or Community Health. Anthropology majors will be exposed to the four fields of anthropology: archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. Criminology/Criminal Justice majors will explore both the theory of crime and learn practical skills to help prepare for careers in the criminal justice field.

Internships or field experiences are required for all three majors offered in the department. In the past, students have interned in a variety of settings including probation and parole offices, Virginia State Parks, local government branches, planning and research agencies, physical and mental health care facilities, and museums. A popular offering in the department is the Dr. James W. Jordan Archaeology Field School, which can be used by anthropology majors to fulfill their internship requirement. In the Field School students learn about historic and prehistoric civilizations through supervised excavations of actual settlements. The Field School is offered in Summer Sessions. For more information, contact Dr. Brian D. Bates.

Through a variety of activities, the department attempts to provide students with a program of breadth and depth characteristic of the Longwood educational experience. Students have the opportunity to join a variety of activities and organizations relating to their major including: the Sociology Club; Lambda Alpha Epsilon-a criminal justice fraternity; and Primtech-an archaeology club designed to teach primitive technology. Additionally, the department sponsors honor societies for all three majors: Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society; Lambda Alpha, National Collegiate Honors Society for Anthropology; and Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Each academic year the departmental faculty chooses outstanding students to receive the Kathleen Goodwin Cover Sociology Scholarship, the Diane M. Sheffield Memorial Scholarship, and the Sharon J Perutelli Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Studies.

General education requirements for the student majoring in sociology, anthropology, and criminology/criminal justice can be found under “General Education Requirements” in this catalog. It is the responsibility of all students to consult with their academic advisor prior to each registration to ensure the proper fulfillment of general education and departmental requirements for graduation. Students minoring in sociology, anthropology, or criminology/criminal justice must satisfy the course requirements of the department of their major subject. Majors and minors are required to participate in yearly curriculum assessment, which may consist of comprehensive examinations.

The department occupies offices and classrooms in Main and West Rotunda. The administrative office of the department is located in Main Rotunda Room 202 on the west side of the Rotunda.

Sociology Program

Faculty

Lee D. Millar Bidwell, PhD, Professor of Sociology and Program Coordinator
William C. Burger, PhD, Professor of Sociology 
Scott Grether, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Jason S. Milne, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology
JoEllen G. Pederson, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology
Carl M. Riden, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology

Anthropology and Archaeology Program

Faculty

Brian D. Bates, PhD, Professor of Anthropology
Douglas M. Dalton, PhD, Professor of Anthropology and Program Coordinator
Mark Kostro, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Criminology and Criminal Justice Program

Faculty

Virginia R. Beard, PhD, Associate Professor of  Criminal Justice and Program Coordinator
Corey Call, PhD, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
William C. Burger, PhD, Professor of Sociology 
Hollie MacDonald, MS, Lecturer of Criminal Justice
Brooke Mathna, PhD, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
 

Programs

    Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of ScienceMinor

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