Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy

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Location: Landrum Academic Center 217C
Telephone: 859-572-5259
Fax: 859-572-6086
Email Addresses:

anthropology@nku.edu
archaeology@nku.edu
philosophy@nku.edu
sociology@nku.edu

Web Address: https://inside.nku.edu/artsci/departments/sapdept.html
Department Chair: Yaw Augustine Frimpong-Mansoh
Other Key Personnel:

Department Coordinator: Mindy Berry

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy is a multidisciplinary department that houses programs as well as several interdisciplinary minors. Ancient Civilizations Minor , Celtic Studies Minor , Culture, Society, and Health Minor , Evolutionary Studies Minor , Healthcare Ethics and Policy Minor , Native American Studies Minor , and Religious Studies Minor .

Sociology Programs

Location: Landrum Academic Center 217C
Telephone: 859-572-5259
Fax: 859-572-6086
Email Address: sociology@nku.edu
Web Address: https://www.nku.edu/academics/artsci/programs/undergraduate/sociology.html

Full-Time Faculty: Amanda Brockman, Joan Ferrante, Lynda Hillman, Nile Patterson

Thinking about the discipline: The mission of the sociology program is to provide undergraduate students with the conceptual and applied skills to understand society and how social interactions and human activities are organized and structured. Sociology offers a perspective and set of skills that develop and enhance students’ abilities to observe and think critically about their own and other societies, to become more sensitive to behavioral and value differences among peoples, and to succeed in an information and knowledge economy. Sociology is also a discipline that welcomes and draws upon insights from any discipline. The sociology program mentors students to think of college as a time for engaging in experiences and developing skills that position them for success in an ever-changing labor market of career possibilities.

The program offers a major in sociology leading to the Bachelor of Science. There are six broad career areas that students of sociology may choose to enter: nonprofit, government, business, education/continuing education, graduate school, and self-employment. Students can also minor or focus in sociology.

Special opportunities for our students: Among the many experiences in which students of sociology can participate are opportunities to do co-ops and internships, engage in summer service on Native American reservations in South Dakota, engage in class projects that address social issues, participate in research studies, and publish articles and essays collaboratively with faculty.

There are several vibrant student clubs associated with the sociology program: the Sociology Club, National Sociology Honor Society, the Native American  Student Organization and Kiksuya. Each year NKU’s sociology program presents the outstanding student in sociology award, outstanding student in applied sociology and outstanding student.

It is possible to earn a sociology major or minor taking a combination of online and evening classes and two (for minor) or three (for major) core courses face-to-face. In addition to the major and minor, there is also a focus that consists of any four sociology courses taken at the 300/400/500 level. It is possible to complete a focus in sociology online.

You should also know: Students must earn at least a C (2.00) in the core courses, and earn a C (2.00) average in all sociology courses counting for the major or minor.

Anthropology Programs

Location: Landrum Academic Center 217C
Telephone: 859-572-5259
Fax: 859-572-6086
Email Address: anthropology@nku.edu
Web Address: https://www.nku.edu/academics/artsci/programs/undergraduate/anthropology
Key Personnel:

Program Director: Monica Wakefield

Archaeology Director and Laboratory Director: Sharyn Jones

Biological Anthropology Director and Laboratory Director: Monica Wakefield
Center for Applied Anthropology Director: Douglas Hume
Museum Director: Judy Voelker

Full-Time Faculty: Douglas W. Hume, Sharyn Jones, Jessica Lott, Michael J. Simonton, Judy Voelker, Monica Wakefield

Thinking about the discipline: Anthropology is the study of human beings, both biologically and culturally, in the past and present, mostly in the non-Western world , mostly through the method of fieldwork and/or labwork. It includes the subfields of cultural anthropology (study of the great variety of societies and cultures in the world today); archaeology (study of past societies and cultures); biological anthropology (study of the evolution and biological nature of humans and our primate relatives); anthropological linguistics (study of language and its relationship to culture); and applied anthropology (the use of anthropological knowledge to help solve practically oriented problems). Through these subfields, anthropology explains differences and similarities among all human groups, at all times, and in all places. In the words of the American Anthropological Association, “Only anthropology seeks to understand the whole panorama - in geographic space and evolutionary time - of human existence.” To study anthropology is to explore the many avenues of what it means to be human.

NKU anthropology majors and minors are students prepared both for career opportunities upon graduation and for graduate work in anthropology. The anthropology faculty provide students with opportunities to do anthropology outside the classroom and develop résumé-worthy skills important in the job quest.

Special opportunities for our students: Among the many experiences in which anthropology majors and minors can participate are opportunities to go on archaeology digs, develop museum exhibits, conduct observations and research at the Cincinnati Zoo, do research with various peoples throughout the state and nation, serve as research assistants to faculty, and travel to places such as Belize, Thailand, Ireland, Kenya, and Fiji.

There are several vibrant student clubs associated with the anthropology program at NKU: the SAPiens Student Society, Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, and Tuath an Ard Tíre Ardaí: The Celtic Studies Club. Each year the anthropology program presents the outstanding student in anthropology award and the award for academic excellence in anthropology.

You should also know: Students must earn at least a C (2.00) in the core courses, and a C (2.00) average in all anthropology courses counting for the major.

Philosophy Programs

Location: Landrum Academic Center 217C
Telephone: 859-572-5259
Fax: 859-572-6086
Email Address: philosophy@nku.edu
Web Address: https://www.nku.edu/academics/artsci/programs/undergraduate/philosophy.html

Full-Time Faculty: Gary Blahnik, Robert Brice,  Augustine Frimpong-Mansoh, Terry Pence

Thinking about the discipline: Philosophy seeks answers to fundamental questions about humans, human existence, and our place in the world, such as:

• What is the nature of the good, and what is the morally rational thing to do? (Ethics)
• What is the nature of reality? Does God exist? Do we have free will? What is knowledge and what distinguishes it from mere belief and opinion? (Metaphysics and Epistemology)
• How should society be organized? What is the basis of political obligation? What is the nature and aim of law? (Politics and Law).

By learning to grapple with big questions about human existence, students in philosophy acquire conceptual and applied skills essential to pursuing a rewarding career and a meaningful life. Students grapple with basic questions such as: What is a good life, and what is the morally right thing to do? (Ethics); What is the nature of reality? What is the identity of a person, and what does it mean to be a person? Does God exist? Do we have free will? What is truth, and what distinguishes knowledge from mere belief and opinion? (Metaphysics and Epistemology); What is justice? What is the basis of political obligation? What is the nature and aim of law? (Politics and Law). The skills acquired by wrestling with basic questions such as these include: critical analysis, creative and innovative thinking, effective written and oral communication, principled ethical evaluation, problem-solving and rational-decision making. For decades, employers have sought candidates who demonstrate a capacity for these skills. Whereas the knowledge learned in other disciplines may be displaced or made obsolete by future discoveries and emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence), the skills acquired from studying philosophy remain highly valued and sought after. The general and transferable skills acquired for studying philosophy enable students to successfully pursue any career of their choice in a variety of areas, including (but not limited to), law (and paralegal professions), business, marketing, management, education, ethics consulting, health care, information and communication technology, journalism, politics and public policy, public relations, fundraising and nonprofit work, religion and ministry. Philosophy students rank among the highest in median mid-career salary. They also consistently score at or near the top on admissions tests like the LSAT and GMAT; often earn entrance to medical school at a higher rate than all other majors, including chemistry and biology; and, more generally, enjoy a well-earned reputation for clear and rigorous thinking. While the best reason to major in philosophy is because it is fun and interests you, that choice turns out to be an excellent career move, too!

Special opportunities for our students: The philosophy program at NKU is home to several exceptionally dedicated faculty with a variety of distinct academic specializations. Our faculty serves to effectively prepare students for success in a fast-growing, technology-driven world. What makes the philosophy program distinctive is that courses remain “up close and personal.” These small classes help facilitate student learning through engaged participation.

There are several active and vibrant student clubs linked with the philosophy program at NKU: Ethics Bowl team (which participates in regional intercollegiate competitions. Recent big success story: in 2023, we placed 2^nd in the regional competition, which secured us a spot at nationals in early 2024. Overall, we placed 16^th in the nation!); the SAPiens Student Society; Phi Sigma Tau national honor society in philosophy; Philosophers’ Café (where issues of contemporary interest are raised and discussed in a public forum); Philosophy and Films Series (where feature films with philosophical themes are screened and discussed). Finally, each year NKU’s philosophy program presents the outstanding senior in philosophy award to its most deserving student.

You should also know: At least 20 percent of the total required hours must be taken at NKU. Students must make a C- or better in all courses chosen to meet the core requirements.

Interdisciplinary Minors:

• Ancient Civilizations Minor  
• Celtic Studies Minor  
• Culture, Society, and Health Minor  
• Evolutionary Studies Minor  
• Healthcare Ethics and Policy Minor  
• Native American Studies Minor  
• Religious Studies Minor  

Programs

• Anthropology, B.A.
• Philosophy, B.A.
• Sociology, B.S.

• Anthropology Minor
• Applied Philosophy Minor
• Archaeology Minor
• Philosophy Minor
• Sociology Minor

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