Sociology and Anthropology - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Maryann Bylander, associate professor of sociology, hosts students during her office hours.
Home / Academics / Sociology and Anthropology Sociology and Anthropology When you choose a major in sociology and anthropology, you become a member of an enthusiastic intellectual community dedicated to the study of the social and cultural processes that shape our contemporary world. You will develop the thinking tools, research skills, and social ethics that prepare you to understand the world and act in it. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Sociology and Anthropology? Our program builds on the overlapping concerns and distinctive strengths of our two disciplines: sociology and anthropology. Rather than establishing separate tracks, we follow an integrated curriculum dedicated to providing solid preparation in the theories and methodologies of these intersecting fields. You will join in critical investigation of pressing issues of the day: capitalism, environmental sustainability, food systems, health care, migration, nationalism, religious commitment, social injustice, technological innovation, tourism, violence and suffering, and more. Our courses are attuned to how these matters impact the everyday lives of people globally. We also believe in collaborating with students on research projects—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, or both—and helping them find and secure internships or practica in Portland and beyond. Our students graduate with research, writing, and analytical skills that equip them well for a wide range of professional endeavors and graduate programs. Apply Visit What You’ll Study Our curriculum stresses the relationship between cultural formations and social structures set in historical context. Courses draw heavily on cross-cultural examples, focusing on areas of faculty expertise in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. The study of inequality across race, gender, class, and other forms of social difference provides a critical point of conjuncture for our joint curriculum. Our faculty are strongly committed to teaching a variety of methodologies and perspectives, including ethnographic fieldwork and interviewing, statistics and survey research techniques, textual and discourse analysis, historical methods, and computer-mediated modes of inquiry. This approach, which is in keeping with recent trends in both sociology and anthropology, provides a strong foundation for engaged student research that culminates in a senior thesis project. We believe in collaborating with students on research projects around the world—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, both, or other channels—and helping them find and secure internships in Portland and beyond. Recent internships included placements with an Oregon senator’s office, immigration and refugee community-organizing groups, a local newspaper, and National Geographic. Many of our students also earn course credit while on an overseas program , and draw on their experience abroad in their senior thesis project. Outside the classroom, our faculty and students come together for barbecues, hikes, pizza dinners, brunches, research presentations, and other departmental events throughout the year. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Space Place and Landscape with Assistant Professor Kabir Heimsath
It’s part of my major, and I have found the readings to be very inspiring and helpful for the essays that we wrote in the class, all of which have been very thought-provoking explorations of space for me.
The course was about viticulture and oenology, and it covered a lot of fascinating topics in viticulture and oenology. Because wine making culture is very common throughout the globe, I realized how wine is not merely a beverage but functions as a versatile analytical tool to explore the countries and regions I visit through the cultural, historical, and geographical perspectives.
Devised Theatre with Rebecca Lingafelter. The class pushed me to explore a new side of performance art, helping me grow both as an artist and a collaborator. It also introduced me to inspiring figures like Pina Bausch, deepening my appreciation for theatre’s history.
Major: Sociology and Anthropology, Theatre (double)
Favorite Class
Research Theory and Design with Associate Professor Oren Kosansky
This class made me push myself to think outside the box, outside of my personal interests. It showed me how much stuff I can do with my major and pursue my dreams.
Minor: Latin American and Latino Studies and Ethnic Studies (double)
Favorite Class
Human Rights in International Affairs with Assistant Professor Suparna Chaudhry and Asian Studies Colloquium with Professor Jennifer Hubbert
Both of these classes combined concepts from my majors together and challenged me academically. Additionally, the professors were extremely supportive of me and my success.
Major: International Affairs and Sociology and Anthropology (double)
Minor: Ethnic Studies
Favorite Class
Race and Ethnicity in the United States with Reiko Hillyer
I took that class my first year at L&C, and it remains one of my favorites because it challenged my previous education the most, and it really opened my eyes to the way that I was falsely educated about our country’s history. It was also one of the first courses that introduced me to concepts of critical race theory. Looking back, that was probably the course that altered my worldviews the most.
Every day, everything I know about the world is challenged. I have never felt so compelled to question the way I live my life, the way I interact with others, and even my understanding of who I am. It is an amazing class, and Kim is such a warm and accommodating professor. She diligently creates an atmosphere that allows us to discuss challenging and uncomfortable topics.
Medicine, Culture and Healing by Assistant Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
I really enjoyed how this course gave me an insight into the medical realm from a social science perspective, and introduced me to medical anthropology as a field of study. This course was an excellent introduction into conducting rich and raw ethnographic research, and was just the beginning of my journey into sociology and anthropology.
Political Economy of Black Labor with Assistant Professor Kim Cameron-Dominguez
Kim is a fantastic professor whose classes I would recommend to anyone. This class was simultaneously my favorite and the most challenging class I have ever taken. Kim really pushes her students to think critically about topics in a new way. Although this was intimidating, it ultimately led to a very gratifying experience.
Topics in Medical Anthropology With Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
Every class felt like a radical restructuring of how I viewed the body in pain, care networks, the biomedical industry, and so much more. Professor Bajracharya supported students as they explored their own experiences in pain, or the witnessing of someone else’s pain.
As my first anthropology elective, it opened my eyes to how anthropological concepts can be applied to everything, in this case, visual representations and media. I loved all of the different films, photographs, and art we explored and the way we were invited to engage with the content through both creative and theory-based lenses.
Care, Healing, and Medical Anthropology with Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
I learned so much about our views on “care” and myself. One of my favorite ethnographies we read was “Life beside itself” by Lisa Stevenson and “Pastoral Clinic” by Angela Garcia. What I loved is that we read books and written pieces that were written by diverse authors - POC and from other parts of the world.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our sociology and anthropology majors are entrepreneurial leadership and innovation , ethnic studies , and gender studies . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I love that I am pushed in every class, reading, and conversation to engage deeply with essential questions of why we (as humans) are the way we are and how we engage with others and the world around us. Sophia Riley BA ’25 Sociology and Anthropology | Kauai, Hawai’i More about Sophia I love the way sociology and anthropology give me lenses through which to view the world on an expansive, global scale as well as on a local one, while theatre is an active way to get out of my head and be present creatively. Davis Berry BA ’27 Sociology and Anthropology, Theatre: Performance Concentration (double) | Middle East and North African Studies | Vista, California More about Davis What I love most about my international affairs and sociology and anthropology double major is that the professors are incredibly passionate about what they teach. They are approachable, friendly, and extremely good resources. Rocío Yao BA ’24 International Affairs and Sociology and Anthropology (double) | Ethnic Studies | Cuidad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Guangzhou, China; Northglenn, Colorado, United States More about Rocío What Can You Do With a Degree in Sociology and Anthropology? Our alumni use their BA in sociology and anthropology to pursue graduate studies and professional work in a wildly diverse set of fields that range from medicine to urban planning, law to secondary education, public policy to cultural studies. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 16% first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College U.S. News Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list . 47 U.S. states represented in our undergraduate student body 12:1 Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their sociology and anthropology major, like Students for Transformative Action, Abolition, Resilience (STAAR). Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You I strongly believe that the work I did here prepared me for law school, particularly because the L&C professors gave such great feedback. Jillian Jin BA ’21 Sociology and Anthropology | Renton, Washington More about Jillian My education at Lewis & Clark allowed me to build the foundation to reach this height in my career as a young professional, and supported me in my belief that I could achieve it. Hannah Singleton BA ’21 Sociology and Anthropology; French Studies | Corvallis, Oregon More about Hannah L&C opened the door to many opportunities, and thanks to my liberal arts education, I am a well-rounded person. My boss told me that my resume was all over the place, in a good way! Anaïs Gurrola BA ’19 Sociology and Anthropology | Bellevue, Washington More about Anaïs Featured News Finding Post-Grad Success Graduating from Lewis & Clark College means you will earn a bachelor of arts degree that is grounded in critical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving—all of the essential qualifications you need to succeed in any career. Read the story More News and Events → Maryann Bylander Professor of Sociology, SOAN Department Chair bylander@lclark.edu 503-768-7617 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
