Department of Sociology and Anthropology 

Lee Bidwell, Chair
Janet Miller, Secretary 

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers an undergraduate major in sociology and anthropology, and minors in both disciplines. Students majoring in sociology or in anthropology may earn either the B.A. or B.S. degree.
     Students with a GPA below 2.25 will not be accepted as majors. Students may reapply after their GPA has increased to 2.25.
     The departmental curriculum is designed to provide opportunity for knowledge, skills and abilities to students who plan to (1) seek employment in business, industry, corrections, human service, or related fields, (2) pursue advanced studies in law, public policy, urban planning, or related fields, (3) engage in graduate work in sociology or anthropology, or (4) pursue graduate studies of the organization and functioning of human societies.
      The sociology major can specialize in concentrations in Criminal Justice, Pre-Law, or Social Gerontology.  Internships are available for qualified students. In the past, students have interned in probation and parole offices, community colleges, local government branches, planning and research agencies, physical and mental health care facilities, etc.  Unique to any school in Virginia, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Longwood College has an agreement with the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy whereby students can spend one semester of their senior year at the Academy earning academic credit and becoming certified to work as law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia upon graduation.
     A popular offering in the department is the Archaeology 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 Mr. 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. The department sponsors a Sociology and Anthropology Club, an American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon Club, and a chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society. In addition, 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 Outstanding Senior in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology Award.
     General education requirements for the student majoring in sociology or anthropology 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 or anthropology 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 Wynne. The administrative office of the department is located in Room 106.