Sociology and Anthropology

Department Head: Jonathan Eastwood; eastwoodj@wlu.edu; 540-458-8798

Academic Division: The College

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.

HONORS: An Honors Program in sociology and anthropology is offered for qualified students; see department head for details.

Offerings

Sociology and Anthropology, B.A.  

Archaeology minor  

Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began regular-faculty service at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

Alison K. Bell, Ph.D.—(1996)-2021
Professor of Anthropology
Ph.D., University of Virginia

Christopher Brown, Ph.D.—(2022)-2022.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Ph.D., Ohio State University

Lynn G. Chin, Ph.D.—(2012)-2018
Associate Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Stanford University

Jonathan Eastwood, Ph.D.—(2006)-2015
William P. Ames, Jr. Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Boston University

Donald A. Gaylord. M.A.—(2013)-2013
Instructor in Anthropology and Research Archaeologist
M.A., University of Virginia

Sascha L. Goluboff, Ph.D.—(1999)-2024
Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Director of Community-Based Learning
Ph.D., University of Illinois

Marcos Emilio Pérez, Ph.D.—(2018)-2024
Associate Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Candice Robinson, Ph.D.,—(2024)-2024
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Alexander  C. Sutton, Ph.D.—(2024)-2024
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Virginia