University of Mississippi

Welcome!

We offer B.A. and M.A. degree programs in both Sociology and Anthropology taught by a dynamic and involved faculty who will prepare you to engage in the systematic study of the social world.

We offer:

Cutting-edge scholarship and 
teaching with a friendly face.

Our faculty have active research programs that keep their classes up-to-date and relevant to your lives. Broadly speaking, our faculty specialize in the study of research methods, culture, and inequality in places ranging from the United States, Central and South America (Belize, Honduras, Ecuador), Europe (Turkey, Netherlands, Germany), and east Asia (South Korea). We’re also a hub for interdisciplinary work. We have joint appointments and affiliations with African American Studies, Croft Institute for International Studies, Gender Studies, and Southern Studies.

Undergrad degrees with broad 
appeal among employers.

What is a BA in Sociology or Anthropology all about? Want to know what bones and pottery tell us about past cultures, how development aid can help us measure globalization, what Southeastern Indians can tell us about the history of our nation, how the media portrays global warming or disasters like Katrina?, Why the catfish industry and Straight Edge a clean-living punk subculture can both tell us something about gender, how remote satellite imagery can help archaeologists identify graves and communities from the past? How we can use anthropology to better understand the relationship between religion and politics? If so, then you should consider becoming a major or a minor in anthropology or sociology. We offer core classes and exciting upper division electives (some are study abroad!) that develop the critical thinking, writing and research skills sought after by a broad range of employers in career fields ranging from academia to business to governmental and non-governmental organizations. Check out what our recent graduates are doing now.]

Quality graduate training, up close 
and personal.

MA programs in Sociology and in Anthropology offer opportunities for specialized training in theory and research methods as well as the opportunity for hands on field work and research experience. Unlike larger programs, we offer one-on-one mentorship and training at the start of your professional career. In addition to the core courses, our programs offer professional development opportunities including specially designed professional development seminars, teaching opportunities as TAs or Instructors, research assistantships, and support for those who present at regional academic conferences.

Active research centers and
 “hands-on” experience.

Our various research centers offer students the opportunity to conduct research in conjunction with leading scholars in the field. Read about our research centers.

Diverse classroom experiences with 
students who are really going places

Our MA graduates have gone on to PhD programs and have landed jobs in a diverse range of professions. Check out what they’re doing now.

Ross Haenfler, Associate Professor of Sociology, recently led a Faculty Development Workshop hosted by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.  If you happened to miss the workshop, “Simple Steps Towards Transformative Teaching,”  you can still download the handout or view the presentation through an iTunes U Podcast.  To view the podcast, click here and… [Continue Reading]

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    Dr. Thayer Scudder, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the California Institute of Technology will present “Global Threats, Global Futures:  Learning to Live with Declining Living Standards” on Monday, March 25th at 5:30 pm in the Tupelo Room of the Barnard Observatory.  The event is sponsored by Phi Beta Kappa, Beta of Mississippi, the… [Continue Reading]

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Please join us for the next McLean Lecture by Dr. Melissa Bass, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Leadership at the University of Mississippi.  Dr. Bass will be discussing her new book entitled Politics and Civics of National Service:  Lessons from the Civilian Conservation Corps, VISTA, and Americorps.   The presentation will take place on… [Continue Reading]

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Congratulations to University of Mississippi students and faculty who won awards at the annual meeting of the Alabama-Mississippi Sociological Association in Montgomery, Alabama on February 21-22, 2013! Sociology graduate student, Danielle Kerr, won the Best Graduate Student Paper Award for her paper, “Housing: Affordable and Accessible or Not?  A Closer Look at a Mississippi Town’s… [Continue Reading]

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The Historic New Orleans Collection presents the 18th Annual Williams Research Center Symposium, Seeking the Unknown:  Natural History Observations in Louisiana, 1698-1840.   This event will feature presentations from scholars about Louisiana’s natural history, including sessions about precolonial American Indians, John James Audubon, early naturalists, and more.  Robbie Ethridge, Professor of Anthropology, will be participating in the… [Continue Reading]

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The Department is excited to share a recent news story regarding Dr. Albert Nylander and his work as the Director of the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement.  Dr. Nylander will lead the efforts of the newly expanded McLean Institute and the University on upcoming initiatives related to engaged community research and teaching.… [Continue Reading]

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At 9am on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 members of the Leavell family toured Leavell Hall  as part of their Oxford family reunion festivities [See photo].   Leavell Hall was named in honor of Dr. Richard Marion Leavell,  a Professor of Philosophy and Political Economy at the University of Mississippi from 1890 to 1909.  Nine Leavell brothers subsequently… [Continue Reading]

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Dr. Jeff Jackson was selected as this year’s winner of the Cora Lee Graham Award for Outstanding Teaching of Freshmen. The annual award is given to university faculty who consistently integrate excellence in class instruction, concern for students’ welfare, and intellectual stimulation of students into their teaching.  The award was established in 1984 through an… [Continue Reading]

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Jeff Jackson and Zandria Robinson accepted this year’s Award for Excellence in Promoting Inclusiveness in Graduate Education on behalf of the MA program in Sociology.  This annual award is given to an individual, group of individuals, or an academic program exemplifying outstanding commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusiveness at the graduate level.  Congratulations, Sociology MA… [Continue Reading]

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The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (MCVS), in coordination with the Office of the Governor and First Lady Deborah Bryant, Honorary Chair of the MCVS Board of Commissioners, has announced the 2012 Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) honorees.  Former Sociology graduate student, Rosie Nelson, will be honored with GIVE Award on April 16 at… [Continue Reading]

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Dr. Ross Haenfler presented his work on how participants in youth subcultures transition to work and careers at the annual meetings of The Australian Sociological Association in Newcastle. As part of a special plenary session titled “Alternative, DIY and ‘Subcultural Careers’: Leisure, Lifestyle and Youth Transitions,” Dr. Haenfler discussed how “older” straight edgers reconcile their… [Continue Reading]

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The Department of Sociology and Anthropology would like to congratulate Ahmet Yukleyen on the release of his recent book,  Localizing Islam in Europe: Turkish Islamic Communities in Germany and the Netherlands. Yukleyen is a Croft Assistant Professor of Anthropology and International Studies and also a current Woodrow Wilson Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center… [Continue Reading]

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Stephen Harris, an Anthropology graduate student, recently presented a paper based on his thesis project at the Mississippi Archaeological Meetings in Biloxi, Mississippi.  His paper, “Geophysical Investigations at the Shady Grove Site,”  was awarded Best Student Paper at the meetings.  Congratulations, Stephen!

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