At the inception of Brandeis University in 1948, the Departments of Anthropology and Sociology were housed together as one department. The ’48-’49 university bulletin, lists Social Institutions and Origins, Social Change, Social Problems, Problems of American Minority Groups, and Introduction to the Field of Social Work as courses available for those studying in the combined department. However, by the time the ’51-’52 university bulletin was published, the departments had split and Anthropology and Sociology were listed separately. Since that time the Department of Sociology has grown and now boasts four main areas of expertise including gender and feminist studies, medical sociology, political and social change, and culture and religion. Throughout its history the department has partnered with other departments—African and Afro-American Studies, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, American Studies, and many more—to offer cross-listed courses.
