Mission Statements

Sociology and Criminology

Our vision for the sociology and criminology programs at the State University of New York College at Cortland is, first and foremost, one in which students are significantly changed by the teaching and mentoring they experience, the literature they read, the writing and thinking they do, and the diverse social worlds they encounter in research activities, internships, and civic service.

At SUNY Cortland a course of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology or Criminology is intended to help students develop the insights of a sociological perspective, to provide a familiarity with continuing research and theoretical analysis of the social world, to ensure that students develop skills leading to successful careers, and to promote active citizenship.

  • The insights of a sociological perspective include the ability to perceive the structures and patterns upon which everyday life rests, to understand the interplay between individual choice and social influence, to interpret events from multiple perspectives, and to examine existing social arrangements critically - in other words to develop and apply a “sociological imagination.”

  • Continuing research and theoretical analysis of the social world involves developing the analytical tools to understand an ever-expanding body of knowledge about the dynamics of social relationships, the nature of power and influence in complex societies, and the role of age, class, ethnicity, gender, and other social characteristics in affecting people’s life chances and perspectives.

  • Through the study of sociology and criminology, students gain access to concrete skills that are relevant to a broad range of rewarding careers. These skills enhance the student’s ability to assess new and unfamiliar situations, to select and apply qualitative and/or quantitative techniques in solving practical problems in creative ways, and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. As multiple careers become the norm in American life, such skills become ever more essential.

  • Active citizenship and social responsibility means that sociology and criminology majors will be prepared to “make a difference” in the quality of others’ lives as well as the quality of their own. Persons educated in sociology are equipped and motivated to contribute to the improvement of their communities, their nation, and their world.


Anthropology

The design of the anthropology major at SUNY Cortland coincides clearly with the overall goals stated in the College's mission statement. The very nature of the anthropology major affirms and promotes the understanding of "diversity in its broadest sense." The College seeks to create an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding so that "people of every background" are "able to study and work here with an expectation of respectful treatment." 

Embedded within each of the anthropology courses are the concepts of cultural tolerance and understanding. This extends beyond particular "cultures" - that is, beyond each society's configurations of patterned, learned behavior -to individual lifestyle choices. The basic tenet underlying the anthropological discipline is to understand the "why" behind humans' actions. With that understanding comes a broadened perspective and expanded tolerance for our fellow human beings and their ways. This is a major goal of the discipline and it corresponds well with our college's mission statement.

The anthropology major prepares our students to be global citizens in other ways as well. Anthropology majors are trained in critical thinking and they hone their intellectual curiosity through their coursework, papers, and seminars. Anthropology majors have the opportunity to acquire excellent research, writing, and oral presentation skills during their anthropological training. 

Within the larger anthropology curriculum are ample opportunities for students to develop research presentations based upon their work, through class discussions when they present the results of close textual analysis and in individual and more extensive presentations of semester-long research projects. These projects encourage and enable students to make use of available technology as they perfect their skills through the practice of public presentation. 

Beyond the extensive papers they are expected to produce in their required 400-level (senior level) courses in the major, substantial research papers are required in many other classes taken in the major. By graduation, students in the anthropology major have developed both oral and written communication skills that prepare them for their post-graduate endeavors. These skills all dovetail very nicely with the mission statement of our college.