Anthropology, Sociology merger creates more robust academic department - The University of Tulsa
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Anthropology, Sociology merger creates more robust academic department

The Departments of Anthropology and Sociology have merged to create a stronger unit that will preserve separate undergraduate majors within The University of Tulsa’s Kendall College of Arts & Sciences.

“We had two relatively small academic departments associated by subject matter and methodology,” Provost George Justice said. “Combining the two allows for a broader set of courses and research partnerships within this unified department.”

The current degree offerings, including the master’s in anthropology, will be maintained as the two complementary departments, build upon their common interests and identify new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations.

Karen Petersen, dean of the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences, recommended the merger after the proposal was initiated by faculty. “Ultimately, the new department provides a more robust research and teaching environment, which will benefit faculty and students alike,” she said.

The new department will be composed of nine full-time faculty and is home to 45 students majoring in at least one of the two programs.

“Faculty in both sociology and anthropology unanimously supported the merger,” said Peter Stromberg, chair of the new department. “The new structure enables us to build on the considerable overlap between the two disciplines to offer a much broader range of classes for sociology and anthropology majors.”