Salve to Introduce New Anthropology/Sociology Major in Fall Semester 2011

By: Devon Cormier
Posted In: News

Sociology and Anthropology departments proposed a new major to Dr. Laura O’Toole, dean of arts and sciences, as well as the Academic Council at Salve and the Faculty Assembly at Salve. The proposal was accepted, and now the two departments are pleased to announce that a Sociology/Anthropology major will be offered in the 2011 fall semester.

On a Thursday evening, Feb. 4, students and faculty gathered to kick off the beginning of the new major in Salve’s Antone Center for a pizza party, and for some much anticipated information.

As students filed into room 107, Anthropology/Sociology club president, Caitlin MacCrate, a senior, unloaded steaming pizza boxes and sodas to feed the crowd. A line of hungry students formed almost immediately after, and then students made their way back to their seats with pizza and soda in tow, waiting for faculty to take center stage.

After everyone had settled down, Dr. Soheyl Amini, the sociology department chair, got up to make an introduction and say a few words. He first passed out a paper to students which discussed the intentions of the major, its requirements and its courses. Many of the listed course offerings are new to Salve. Dr. Amini then went on to talk about how he and everyone in the department were very excited to have this new dual major, which the faculty is referring to as SOAN. He and the other faculty members feel that this blend of the two will “benefit the community better,” and believe that it will suit Salve Regina’s liberal arts education.

To further justify his point, Dr. Amini referred back to the handout students received. The opening paragraph concluded with a sentence which read, “Both sociology and anthropology focus on the study of human action in the midst of ecological, cultural, political, economic, and religious realities- a circumstance that makes them of particular relevance in today’s rapidly changing world.”

Dr. Debra Curtis, professor of anthropology, took over the podium after Dr. Amini’s introduction. She told her story of how she came to be in the field of anthropology, stressing the fact that she always has had a passion for learning about the various aspects of people and always asked the question “why” in response to so many of the things people do. At the close of her talk, Dr. Curtis encouraged students to pursue what they are truly passionate about, further exemplifying the drive she exhibits in her own career.

The evening progressed with Gerry Willis, a new professor to the department, saying a few words. Willis was followed by Michael Wisnewski, the director of Salve’s Career Development team, who discussed possible future career and graduate school ideas for those looking to join this new major.

The gathering came to a conclusion shortly after. Many students lingered to talk with the professors and staff, or to each other, showing clearly that everyone was excited to have anthropology offered, once again, as a major concentration.

In 1982, Salve Regina first offered anthropology as a major in addition to the sociology major that was already offered. Led by former department head Dr. Elaine Mayer, the major had a cultural focus until her retirement. It shifted more towards archeology under the assistance of Dr. Geoffrey McCafferty, until his departure from Salve in 1999. Dr. Debra Curtis then took over the department, but her position was part-time. A number of students continued to major in anthropology up until 2006, when the major was eliminated, due in great part to a limited number of faculty members.

The department reached a turning point three years later when Curtis was able to be hired full-time, and with the help of Dr. James Gar