The Anthropology/Sociology Curriculum:

At the UW-Rock County, students of Anthropology and Sociology will learn to apply social and theoretical concepts and knowledge in a social scientific manner. Anthropology and Sociology are the original two "Interdisciplinary Study" programs of the modern university. Both fields apply and integrate knowledge, methods, and assumptions from multiple disciplines, including economics, politics, history, biology, language and geography. Both disciplines explore "Ethnic" cultures, and both take a global approach to their subject.

Anthropology as a social science discipline was born during the colonization of the New World. Early in its history, Anthropology adopted a holistic approach to the study of humans and culture, i.e., the study of humankind in a social, cultural, linguistic, biological, and evolutionary context. Anthropology was often concerned with the differences between cultural groups and societies, and later turned to the study of those aspects of society and culture shared by humankind.

Sociology, however, evolved from the the European and American Industrial Revolution and the urbanization of western society. In this sense, it has been identified more closely with relatively "modern" urbanized societies. Because of that history, Sociology often seemed to focus more upon the "problems" of complex social arrangements. Anthropology and Sociology share a common interest in the observation, recording, and interpretation of complex social arrangements with the goal of understanding the origin and evolution and consequences of the social behavior.

Both fields of study contribute greatly to the present discussions in our society about sometimes vexing social policy issues, including gender/feminism, multiculturalism, affirmative action, welfare reform, genocide, religion, family arrangements, educational reform policies and much more. Familiarity with one, or both, of these disciplines, will equip the undergraduate student to tackle the increasingly complex task of living , working, and learning in a multicultural society.

In the University of Wisconsin Colleges, students may earn credit for Anthropology and Sociology as part of the nine credit fulfillment of the Social Sciences requirement; part of the three credit Ethnic Studies requirement; and, in some instances, part of the minimum three credits in an Interdisciplinary Study course. Anthropology and Sociology courses also qualify as elective credits. See the Guaranteed Transfer Program of the University of Wisconsin Colleges, and the UW System Transfer Information System (TIS) for more details.

At the UW-Rock, students of Anthropology and Sociology enjoy an ideal teacher-student ratio which helps to foster a collegial educational atmosphere for students motivated to take advantage of a quality college education at an affordable price. Students enjoy the advantages of a small college, liberal arts education, with the added resources of the entire University of Wisconsin system.

Collaborative Degree Programs

In May, 2001, the UW-Rock County signed a Partnership Agreement with the UW-Whitewater and Blackhawk Technical College. The partnership affords students the opportunity to obtain a four year Liberal Arts Bachelor degree at the UW-Rock Campus and facilitates the transfer of academic credits between and among the institutions. Check with the UW-Rock County Student Service Office for more information about this unique opportunity.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), in colloboration with four campuses of the UW Colleges, created a unique Bachelor's degree with a major in Organizational Administration---and an optional minor in Business. The Organizational Administration degree program is available at the UW-Rock County (Janesville); UW-Sheboygan (Sheboygan); the UW-Washington (West Bend); and the UW-Waukesha (Waukesha). The program incorporates courses in business, communication, economics, English, research methodology, and sociology.

51 Credits are required for the Organizational Administration Major; 27 credits are Upper Division level; a "Capstone" course consisting of 3 credits of advanced level coursework is taken during the last year of study.

Sociology, as the study of group behavior in organizations is an important building block for this new interdisciplinary major. Students with questions about how Sociology can enhance or complement their curriculum choices in the Organizational Administration Major are encouraged to contact Dr. Philip G. Groth directly. Contact the UW-Rock Student Services Office for more information about how to enroll in the Major at the UW-Rock County. For general information about the program requirements, visit the UW-Milwaukee BAOA Web Page.
 

Faculty

Professor of Sociology:

Philip G. Groth, Ph.D.
2909 Kellogg Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
608-756-6545
E-Mail: pgroth@uwc.edu
Web Page: http://rock.uwc.edu/pgroth

Assist. Professor of Anthropology:

Roland Rodell, Ph.D.
2909 Kellogg Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
608-758-5907
E-Mail: rrodell@uwc.edu
Web Page: Coming Soon

Collectively, the faculty of the UW Colleges Dept. of Anthropology and Sociology are scattered across the thirteen campus system. The range of Anthropological interests and expertise within the Department includes archaeology of the upper Great Lakes; archaeology of Ecuador and Peru; ethnic studies and cultural assimilation; and, Latin American studies. Sociologists in the department have skills and research and teaching interests in demography, rural sociology, land tenure, deviance, criminal justice, and political and economic sociology. At some campuses, the faculty wear two hats and teach courses in both Anthropology and Sociology. At the UW-Rock County, students are taught Sociology and Anthropology by professors with Ph.D.'s in their respective fields of study.

Sociology at UW-Rock is taught by Prof. Philip Groth. Dr. Groth is the 2000-2001 recipient of the UW Colleges Barrington/Musolf Faculty Research Award. The Award was conferred for Dr. Groth's long-term study and professional publication in the Journal of Applied Sociology (Vol. 18, No. 1, 2001) on the Louisiana shrimp industry. He is the first UW-Rock faculty member to ever earn this particular honor. Dr. Groth was promoted to full-professor in the Fall, 2002. In the 2003-2004 academic year, Prof. Groth will be on a university sabbatical to pursue research interest in the "Sociological Contexts and Correlates of Minority Political Representation in Local Government."

Dr. Groth has specialized training and background is population, and rural sociology. Coupled with his interdisciplinary interests in economics and political science, his classroom presentations deal with a broad spectrum of social and political and economic issues affecting our society, and the world at large. In his 21 years at UW-Rock, Prof. Groth has taught an astonishing array of undergraduate Sociology courses ranging from the Introductory course, to Sociology of Work, Human Sexuality, and Sociology of Health and Illness.

Anthropologist, Roland Rodell, joined the Dept. of Anthropology and Sociology faculty in the fall of 2002. Dr. Rodell began his own introduction to anthropology as an undergraduate student majoring in Geography at the UW-La Crosse. At the time, he was considering a career in urban planning and decided to take a course in archeology for an extra three credits. Shortly thereafter a series of fortuitous circumstances provided an opportunity to attend an archeology field school in Upper Egypt. After graduating from the UW-La Crosse, he enrolled in graduate studies at the UW-Milwaukee where he earned his Masters (1983) and doctoral (1997) degrees in anthropology.

Prof. Rodell returned to the UW-La Crosse in 1988 to work with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC) and to teach in the Dept. of Archaeology and Sociology. During this time he conducted various field projects for MVAC's cultural resources program, taught courses in anthropology and archaeology, and completed his dissertation. His current research interests include the social dynamics of Native American moundbuilders and horticulturalists in the Upper Midwest. His other professional interests are in the history of science, notably archaeology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. At the UW-Rock County Dr. Rodell teaches Introduction to Anthropology; Cultural Anthropology; World Prehistory; North American Prehistory; Contemporary Native Americans; and Physical Anthropology.

Professors Groth and Rodell invite current and prospective students to meet with them personally, during posted office hours or through appointment, if they have any questions about the Sociology and Anthropology curriculum, or if they would like additional information about departmental courses and offerings.

To visit departmental faculty at other campus sites, visit the UWC Department's Home Page, or return to the UW Colleges Home Page. Visit Prof. Groth's Home Page to learn more about Sociology at UW-Rock County and to access internet resources on the Sociology WEB HAWG, and the Anthropology WEB HAWG.

Departmental Courses

Sociology Courses offered at the UW-Rock County are dependent, to some extent, upon the training, background, and special interests of the resident faculty member. The department is committed to offering a two year sociology curriculum which will help the student fullfill social science; ethnic studies; and interdisciplinary credit for the Associate Degre

UW Colleges Online Sociology Catalog Descriptions and Course Numbers are available online in .pdf format.

1. Sociology Spring/2003

SOC. 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociology, emphasizing the significance of the self and culture, social process and organization, and forces of social stability and change (SS or IS if taken as part of the Learning Cluster).

SOC 130 Contemporary Social Problems (3 Credits)

Sociological analysis of the nature, extent, causes and potential solutions to selected major social problems such as poverty and wealth; racial and gender discrimination; crime and violence; drug abuse,; family problems; quality of education; inadequate health care; population problems; intergroup conflict and threats to the environment (SS).

SOC. 291 Sociology of Education (3 Credits)

A study of educational institutions as a Social System; role relationships; community contexts; and relevant values and ideals of education (IS).

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2. Sociology Summer/2003

SOC. 250 People Organizations and Society (3 credits)

Role of organizations, such as business, government, education and religion in American Society. Impact of organizations on members and clients, the internal dynamics of organizations, and the interchange between organizations and their environment, including the society as a whole (SS). Preq: Sophomore standing. This is a web-based course offered to a limited number of campus students through the Internet. Tuition charged for this course may be higher than the normal tuition charges, and there will be a $60 non-refundable course fee assessed in addition to tuition. The exact amount of the non-refundable course fee is subject to change.

3. Sociology Fall/2003

SOC. 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociology, emphasizing the significance of the self and culture, social process and organization, and forces of social stability and change (SS)

SOC. 130 Contemporary Social Problems (3 Credits)

Sociological analysis of the nature, extent, causes and potential solutions to selected major social problems such as poverty and wealth; racial and gender discrimination; crime and violence; drug abuse,; family problems; quality of education; inadequate health care; population problems; intergroup conflict and threats to the environment (SS).

Anthropology courses offered at the UW-Rock County are dependent, to some extent, upon the training, background, and special interests of the resident faculty member. The department is committed to offering a two year Anthropology curriculum which will help the student fullfill social science; ethnic studies; and interdisciplinary credit for the Associate Degree.

UW Colleges Online Anthropology Catalog Course Descriptions and Numbers are available online in a .pdf format.

4. Anthropology Spring/2003

ANTH 100 General Anthropology (3 Credits)

General understanding of humans in relation to cultures, evolutionary development and racial diversity, capacities for society and the development of the world's major cultures (SS).

ANTH 200 Cultural Anthropology (3 Credits)

Survey of cultural anthropology with emphasis on ethnographic description, methodology and contemporary theory. Cross-cultural comparisons of societies and institutions. Course includes both humanistic and social scientific approaches to human sociocultural diversity (SS).

ANTH 314 Indians of North America (3 Credits)

Description and analysis of native cultures and the role of environmental and historical factors in North America. Prerequiste: a previous anthropology course or the consent of the instructor (SS/ES).

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5. Anthropology Summer/2003

Anthropology is not offered during this summer semester.

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6. Anthropology Fall/2003

ANTH 100 General Anthropology (3 Credits)

General understanding of humans in relation to cultures, evolutionary development and racial diversity, capacities for society and the development of the world's major cultures (SS).

ANTH 102 Archeology and the Prehistoric World (3 Credits)

Introduction to the prehistoric world from origins of human culture to the beginnings of written history as revealed by archeological research at great sites and ruins around the globe. Archeological analysis of famous prehistoric sites as case studies to illustrate concepts and techniques used by archaeologists in their efforts to understand the rise, florescence and demise of vanished societies (SS or IS if taken as part of the Learning Cluster).

ANTH 314 Indians of North America (3 Credits)

Description and analysis of native cultures and the role of environmental and historical factors in North America. Preq: A previous Anthropology course or consent of the instructor (SS/ES).

For additional information or questions about the UW-Rock County Sociology curriculum or courses, contact Prof. Philip G. Groth directly:

pgroth@uwc.edu

Phone: 608-758-6545

For additional information or questions about the UW-Rock County Anthropology curriculum or courses, contact Prof. Roland Rodell directly:rrodell@uwc.edu

Phone: 608-758-5907

Created October 10, 1997 by Philip G. Groth and Janice Pierce. For additional information or comments about this page, please contact Prof. Philip Groth, UW-Rock County, 2909 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, WI 53546. Telephone: 608-758-6545. Last updated on 05/09/03.