Sociology
and Anthropology
Faculty Bios & Courses
“For me, the social world is now both less of a mystery and more of
a mystery at the same time. Actually, it is more shocking to me, as I
easily recognize the inequalities present in our society. Especially, after
courses like Media and the Public Mind and Race and Ethnic Relations,
I find myself being more critical of power and dominance and more
compassionate toward the unequal treatment of certain social groups.”
Alissa Benjamin ’10
T
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he department of sociology and
anthropology combines two
distinct yet related disciplines
and offers a major and minor
in sociology, an interdisciplinary major
in sociology and anthropology, and a
minor in anthropology. We also offer
students interested in criminal justice,
global studies, health, human/social
services, public policy, urban studies,
and/or graduate studies in sociology,
anthropology, or law a recommended
course of study that will provide a
stronger preprofessional foundation.
ANTHROPOLOGY: Thinking
anthropologically allows us to explore
the rich diversity in human life and
encourages respect for individuals
and for other cultures. Anthropology
is built upon extended observation of
people in the places where they reside,
while participating directly in activities
whenever possible.
SOCIOLOGY: Thinking sociologically is like
“entering a new and unfamiliar society—
one in which things are no longer what
they seem.” Sociology encourages us to
look at society with a fresh perspective,
to question our taken-for-granted
assumptions, to investigate people’s
actions, and to explore the organization
of society. Our courses provide a basis
for thinking about social alternatives,
imagining possibilities for social justice,
and being engaged citizens.
DEPARTMENTAL MISSION: The mission
of the sociology and anthropology
department is to foster a critical
consciousness concerning how different
cultures and societies organize, make
sense of, and change their worlds. We
provide a challenging yet supportive
learning environment in which students
develop an awareness of their social
location, respect for diverse experiences
and cultures, and commitment to social
justice.
We encourage our students to become
knowledgeable, responsible, and
involved citizens. A number of our
courses take students off-campus and
often include guest speakers. We also
provide opportunities for students to
engage in internships, civic engagement,
and student research. We also encourage
student participation in Associated
Colleges of the Midwest semester-long,
off-campus programs.
BENEFITS OF ONE COURSE AT A TIME
Cornell’s One Course At A Time
schedule allows us to develop strong
learning communities, where students
and faculty focus, together, on the
topic at hand. The block plan allows
us to approach material from multiple
perspectives and in a variety of teaching
and learning styles. We incorporate
discussions, lectures, films, and
other experiential learning activities
in our courses. Off-campus courses
and independent projects are also
the norm. Our off-campus courses
provide the opportunity for students to
immerse themselves in an unfamiliar
culture, meet directly with community
organizations and nonprofit groups, or
to work in the field. For example, in the
Archaeological Field Methods course,
students conduct daily archaeological
fieldwork at a local field site. Students
in the Applied Anthropology course
and the West Indian People and Culture
course practice anthropology in the
cont. >
Tori Barnes-Brus
Associate Professor of
Sociology
Teaches courses on inequality,
deviance and social control,
reproduction, media, and
research methods. Her
courses demonstrate a
dedication to social justice
and civic engagement; many
involve field trips (to local
homeless shelters or medical
centers) or incorporate public
sociology projects such as
student-made public service
announcements. She works
closely with students on
their research, sponsoring
numerous student research
presentations at Student
Symposium, the Iowa
Sociological Association
meetings, and the Midwest
Sociological Society meeting.
Her current research uses the
Lydia E. Pinkham Company
as a case study for analyzing
the cultural construction
and commercialization of
womanhood, reproduction,
and women’s health. Ph.D.,
University of Kansas, M.A.,
University of Kansas at
Lawrence; B.A., Cornell
College.
Erin Davis
Associate Professor of
Sociology
Explores cultural diversity &
social inequalities, focusing
on gender, sexualities, bodies,
and identities in both her
research and in her courses.
Many courses include guest
speakers (such as a spoken
word poet/performing artist;
health care policy analyst,
or director of a LGBTQA
Resource Center), involve field
trips or off-campus travel, and/
or incorporate public sociology
projects. Her courses are
often collaborative: Intro
Sociology students work with
geology students to research
the life cycle of a consumer
object, and Sociology of the
Body students and Human
Anatomy students participate
cornellcollege.edu
/academics
Bahamas and Belize. Students can also spend a
block in Japan learning about Japanese culture,
human rights, and public policy issues.
Direct cultural studies are critical to the practice
of anthropology, and the block plan enables us
to introduce students to field-based studies on
a regular basis. Understanding social change
is critical to the practice of sociology, and our
courses at the McLennan Center in Chicago make it
possible to learn directly from community leaders
and organizers working on issues of poverty,
violence, public health, education, housing, and
community development.
In addition to block-long programs, students
in the Families and Family Policy Course and
in Community Organizing, Public Policy, and
Change spend 1-2 weeks in Chicago learning from
community leaders and organizers working on
issues of poverty, violence, education, housing,
and community development. Beyond the more
extensive off-campus experiences, students also
participate in course field trips such as visiting a
local Community Supported Agriculture Farm, the
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, St. Luke Hospital’s
Women’s Center, and the Body Worlds exhibit at
the Minneapolis Museum of Science.
We also bring experts into the classroom.
Recent speakers have included Dolores Huerta,
a grassroots labor and civil rights activist; Ami
Mattison, a spoken word poet/performing artist;
Pat Tetreault, Director, LGBTQA Resource Center
at the University of Nebraska; Zach Kelin, a
lawyer who has worked for the Navajo Nation; and
Suparna Bhaskaran, a health care policy analyst.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
DEPARTMENT MAJORS & MINORS
The department offers a major and minor in
sociology as well as a combined major in sociology
and anthropology. While no formal major exists
in anthropology, students frequently develop
individualized majors combining anthropology
with other areas such as biology, art history, and
music. Students can also minor in anthropology.
STUDENT RESEARCH
In a range of courses, including the research
methods, and through independent studies and
work with faculty members, students develop
individual research projects and regularly present
their research at the Cornell College Student
Symposium, the Iowa Sociological Association
Annual Meeting, and the Midwest Sociological
Society Annual Meeting. In addition to presenting
their research, several students have applied
for and received awards at both of these annual
professional meetings.
INTERNSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
Students have recently completed internships or
fellowships at:
• Linn County Department of Public Health,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Covenant House of Texas, Houston
• Willis Dady Homeless Shelter, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa
in field trips to the Rare
Books Room at University
of Iowa to explore different
perspectives on the body.
Professor Davis also works
closely with students on their
research, sponsoring student
research presentations at the
Iowa Sociological Association
meetings, and the Midwest
Sociological Society meeting.
Ph.D. and M.A., University of
Virginia; B.A., New College.
• Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Alfrieta Monagan
Professor of Anthropology
• Tubman Family Crisis and Support Services,
Minneapolis
Teaches courses in
anthropology that include
West Indian People and
Culture (taught in Trinidad
and Barbados); Religion,
Magic, and Witchcraft;
Women’s Roles in Crosscultural Perspective; and
Applied Anthropology
(offered in The Bahamas).
Her courses contribute to the
ethnic studies and gender,
sexualty, and women’s studies
programs. Ph.D. and M.A.,
Princeton University; A.B.,
George Washington University.
AFTER CORNELL
ALUMNI CAREERS
Support services coordinator, Catherine McAuley
Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Class of 2014)
Industrial director, Nova Medical Centers,
Arlington, Texas (Class of 2014)
Sexual assault advocate, Riverview Center, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa (Class of 2012)
Ph.D. graduate student, University of Iowa, Iowa
City (Class of 2012)
Special education teacher, Iowa City School District
(Class of 2012)
Assistant researcher, Boston Medical Center
(Class of 2011)
Diversity outreach coordinator, Americorps
VISTA, Burlington, Vermont (Class of 2011)
Title V program director, Indiana State
Department of Health, Indianapolis (Class of 2010)
Communications specialist, University of Missouri
International Center, Columbia, Missouri
(Class of 2010)
Academic advisor and coordinator, University of
Denver (Class of 2009)
Police officer, Village of River Forest, River Forest,
Illinois (Class of 2008)
Counselor, Systems Unlimited, Iowa City, Iowa
(Class of 2008)
ESOL teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools,
Alexandria, Virginia (Class of 2008))
Mary B. Olson
Professor of Sociology
Teaches courses in sociology
that address social inequality
and social change. Many of
her courses include analysis
of social issues through
film. Her courses include
American Indians: Culture,
Activism, and Social Justice;
Race and Ethnic Relations;
The African American Civil
Rights Movement Through
Film; and Religion, Spirituality,
and Community. Her courses
contribute to the ethnic
studies and women’s studies
programs, and her research
on fishing rights in the Pacific
Northwest contributes to the
environmental studies program.
Ph.D. and M.S., University of
Wisconsin; B.A., University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
2014-2015