Sociology & Anthropology Requirements

Required for the Major in Sociology/Anthropology: A minimum of ten courses will constitute the major; at least eight of these courses (and all the CORE courses) must be fall and spring courses taught at Middlebury. The core of the departmental major consists of five required fall and spring courses (SOAN 0103, SOAN 0105, SOAN 0305 or SOAN 0306, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, and SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710), which emphasize basic concepts, theory, and research methods. Each student will also be required to take at least one 0400-level seminar (preferably in the junior year). In addition, each student may choose at least four electives from the variety of substantive courses offered by the department, no more than two of which may be 0100-level courses. No more than two courses  may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., as Winter Term courses or transfer credits). Strongly recommended: at least one area studies course.
Students should take Research Process (SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302) in their junior year in order to prepare themselves for their senior research and writing project. If a major anticipates being away during all or part of the junior year, the Research Process course should be taken during the sophomore year.
Joint Major in Sociology and Psychology: The Departments of Sociology/Anthropology and Psychology no longer offers aJoint Major in Sociology and Psychology (as of 2011-2012)
Joint Majors in Sociology/Anthropology and Environmental Studies-Human Ecology: (This focus requires 8 or 9 courses depending on senior work). SOAN 0103; SOAN 0105; SOAN 0211; SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302; SOAN 0305 or SOAN 0306; two electives related to the topic of human ecology (to be selected in consultation with your advisor) from among Sociology-Anthropology offerings, or PSYC 0233, or PSYC 0401. In addition, students will take either SOAN 0700 (one-semester senior project) or SOAN 0710 (multi-semester senior project). (This focus qualifies students for joint major status.) No more than one course may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., as a Winter Term course or transfer credit).
Joint Majors with other departments: Students wishing to do a joint major with another department or program must complete the following sociology/anthropology courses: SOAN 0103, SOAN 0105, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, SOAN 0305 or SOAN 0306, SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710 and two electives. No more than one courses may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., as a Winter Term course or transfer credit). Any departures from this program must be approved by the department chair.
International Studies Major: To specialize in sociology/anthropology within the international studies major, students must take: SOAN 0103, SOAN 0105, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, SOAN 0305 or SOAN 0306, plus two other sociology/anthropology electives. SOAN concentrators doing a multi-semester senior project are also required to participate in the Senior Work Seminar that begins meeting the first week of fall semester.
Sociology Minor: SOAN 0105 and four elective courses in SOAN, no more than one of which can be at the 0100-level and no more than one of which can be an anthropology course. No courses may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., no Winter Term courses or transfer credits).
Anthropology Minor: SOAN 0103 and four elective courses in SOAN, no more than two of which can be at the 0100-level and no more than one of which can be a sociology course. No courses may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., no Winter Term courses or transfer credits).
Senior Project in Sociology/Anthropology: Each student must complete an independent research project of at least one semester. The student who meets the departmental requirements may elect to extend a one-semester project into a multi-semester project. During the first semester of their senior year, the major will enroll in SOAN 0700 under the supervision of the Senior Work Coordinator. The student who wishes to work on a project for more than one semester will present his/her progress to a panel of two professors who will decide whether the project qualifies for extended study. The student who wishes to, or who is advised to, complete the project within one semester will turn in a final report (25-40 pages) by the end of the semester. If the project advisor and another SOAN faculty member agree that the project deserves an A- or A, the student will receive Honors.
The student who wishes to continue working on the project, and who receives approval to do so, will normally enroll in SOAN 0710 for two subsequent terms. The student will produce a final paper of substantial length (60-100 pages) and meet a deadline set by the department, earning two regular credits and one Winter Term credit. Thesis requirements for joint majors and other special circumstances will be approved in consultation with both departments. If the students project advisor and another SOAN faculty member agree that the project qualifies for Honors, the student will defend it before the two faculty members, who will then decide whether the student receives Honors B+, High Honors A-,or Highest Honors A.
A special non-credit but required senior seminar for both SOAN 0700 and SOAN 0710 begins the first week of fall semester and meets as necessary during the rest of the year.
Departmental Honors: To win Honors, students must a) achieve a minimum of a B average in all sociology/anthropology courses and b) achieve an A or A- for their one-semester project, or an A, A- or B+ for their multi-semester project.