Faculty

Chair

Sarah Chard

Associate Chair

Brandy Harris-Wallace

Professor

Marina Adler
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1981; M.A., 1984; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1990

John G. Schumacher
B.S., John Carroll University, 1986; M.A., Bowling Green State University, 1994; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1997; Ph.D., 2000

Takashi Yamashita
B.A., Tokyo Gakugei University, 2003; M.A., M.A., Ball State University, 2007; Ph.D., Miami University, 2011; M.P.H., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2017

Associate Professor

Bambi L. Chapin
B.A., University of Virginia, 1988; M.A., University of California, San Diego, 1998; Ph.D., 2003

Sarah Chard
B.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1991; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1995; Ph.D., 2001

Brandy Harris-Wallace
B.S., University of Alabama, 1998; M.A., 2001; M.S., Florida State University, 2003; Ph.D., 2006

Aubrey L. Jackson
B.A., Rice University, 2005; M.A., Ohio State University, 2008; Ph.D., 2013

Andrea L. Kalfoglou
B.A., University of Virginia, 1991; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1999

Christine A. Mair
B.A., University of Florida, 2005; M.S., North Carolina State University, 2007; Ph.D., 2011

Dena T. Smith
B.A., Goucher College, 2003; M.A., Rutgers University, 2006; Ph.D., 2011

Brian Soller
B.A., Saint Mary’s College of California, 2005; M.A., California State University, East Bay, 2008; Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2013

Assistant Professor

Jun Chu
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 2013, M.P.H., 2017; Ph.D., 2022

Mercedez D. Dunn
B.A., Spelman College, 2013; M.P.H., University of Michigan, 2016; M.A., 2017; Ph.D., 2021

Camee Maddox-Wingfield
B.S., Towson University, 2008; M.A., University of Florida, 2010; Ph.D., 2015

Sameera S. Nayak
B.A., University of California Los Angeles, 2014; M.A., Columbia University, Teachers College, 2017; Ph.D., Northeastern University, 2022

Senior Lecturer

Katie K. Birger
B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University, 1994; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2013

Lecturer

Meryl Cozart
B.S., Morgan State University, 1995; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1996

Nicholas S. Welcome
B.A., Plattsburgh State University of New York, 2003; M.A., San Diego State University, 2006; Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, 2013

Anthropology Core Faculty

Bambi Chapin, Director
Sarah Chard
Camee Maddox-Wingfield
Nicholas S. Welcome

Public Health Core Faculty

Katie Birger, Director
Jun Chu
Meryl Cozart
Andrea Kalfoglou
Sameera S. Nayak

Sociology Core Faculty

Marina Adler
Mercedez D. Dunn

Brandy Harris-Wallace
Aubrey L. Jackson
Christine A. Mair, Director, Undergraduate Program in Sociology
John Schumacher
Dena Smith, Director, Graduate Program in Sociology
Brian Soller

Courses in this program are listed under ANTH, PBHL, and SOCY.

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health is home to undergraduate programs in Sociology (SOCY), Anthropology (ANTH) and Public Health (PBHL). Each undergraduate program offers both a major and a minor. The department also offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate in the Social Dimensions of Health. In addition, at the graduate level, the department houses a Master’s in Applied Sociology and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Applied Social Research Methods, the Nonprofit Sector, and the Social Dimensions of Health. An accelerated bachelor’s/master’s is available, as well as special options for double majors in sociology and anthropology, sociology and psychology, sociology and social work, and public health and social work. The department collaborates with three outstanding Ph.D. programs, including Gerontology (GERO), Public Policy (PUBL) and Language, Literacy & Culture (LLC). We also house the Center for Health, Equity, & Aging (CHEA), a research center that supports faculty and student research.

Throughout these programs, the department emphasizes three core areas: health and aging in society; diversity, gender, and culture; and applied social science research. Consistent with UMBC’s goals, the department focuses its core strengths to 1. provide a distinctive undergrad experience, 2. support the development of graduate education, and 3. conduct faculty research that contributes to both undergraduate and graduate education.

Career and Academic Paths

Upon graduation, students with a Cultural Anthropology, B.A.  are well prepared to obtain employment in an increasingly diverse workforce, pursue graduate and professional training, and engage effectively in a complex world. They have embarked on careers in a wide range of government, non-profit, and private sector settings. This includes employment in social service and development organizations, market research firms, and international business. Graduates with an anthropology degree are especially well suited for positions that involve human interaction, problem solving, and communication, and where an understanding of diversity is beneficial. An anthropology major also provides a strong foundation for those intending to pursue graduate studies or degrees in medicine and public health, social work, education, museum studies, business, international studies, public policy, and human services. Students who plan to engage in anthropology professionally generally continue to graduate school, entering M.A. and Ph.D. programs in anthropology around the country. The Anthropology Minor  is designed for majors in other disciplines who wish to add an individually tailored set of anthropology courses to their undergraduate degree.

Upon completion of the Public Health, B.A. , students are prepared for careers in long-term care; hospitals; federal, state and community health agencies and other health-related organizations. After graduation public health majors have found employment with such organizations as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Blue-Cross/BlueShield, the University of Maryland Medical Center, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maxim Healthcare and Mercy Hospital. Students also have gone on to graduate study at The Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, College Park, George Washington University, Harvard University, University of North Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Yale. The Public Health Minor  is designed for majors in other disciplines who wish to add a study of public health to their other major. Students are permitted to take all available classes except the six-credit internship to fulfill the requirements of the minor. Minors can also consider entrance into a number of bachelors/masters accelerated programs at UMBC.

The Sociology, B.A.  provides a general overview of sociology for students who plan to enter the labor force after graduation and for those planning graduate study. The department has double majors that combine sociology and social work, sociology and anthropology, and sociology and psychology, as well as a combined social work major/sociology minor. These programs enable students to complete both majors with fewer credits than are required for each major separately. The Sociology Minor  is designed for majors in other disciplines who wish to add a study of social behavior to their other major. Students interested in pursuing the Master of Arts in Applied Sociology offered by the department should consider the combined B.A./M.A. program described below.

The undergraduate major in sociology provides a well established and widely accepted path to careers and professional education in the human services. It is frequently the major of individuals employed in local, state, and federal governments and in non-profit organizations. It typically provides appropriate preparation for many professional programs, including law, public health, health services administration, urban and regional planning, social work, human-services administration, human resources management, advertising, public administration, and public policy. An undergraduate major in sociology is also appropriate preparation for research and policy-oriented graduate programs in sociology, public policy, health services research, criminology, demography, and other disciplines that study social behavior.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is conducted by a dedicated team of faculty and staff who are committed to each student’s academic success.  Advisors are available to assist students in developing an academic pathway towards graduation, as well as to discuss post graduate education and career options. A student’s post-baccalaureate plans for either graduate education or immediate employment are important influences on his or her overall academic program and course selections. With these considerations in mind, early and continuous contact should be established with a program advisor.

Students must meet with their advisors each semester during advanced registration to review their progress toward fulfilling major and university requirements, but students are also encouraged to meet with their advisor at any point during the semester.

For more information about the program’s advising process or for general questions regarding the SAPH program, please refer to the department website.

Undergraduate Social Dimensions of Health (SDOH) Certificate

The 15 credit Social Dimensions of Health Certificate  involves three required courses (9 credits) in which students analyze the sociocultural forces informing health and illness experiences and the structure and operation of health care and public health systems. Students also complete two electives (6 credits) from selected Sociology, Anthropology, or Public Health courses that provide additional training on the social dimensions of health and illness.

Double Majors

The department offers four double majors: public health/social work, sociology/anthropology, sociology/psychology, and sociology/social work. Information about the double majors can be found on the department website.

Honors Programs

SAPH offers majors with honors in the Cultural Anthropology, B.A.  and Sociology, B.A.  designed for students with strong academic records who want to conduct a substantial independent research project, culminating in a thesis, during their final year in the major. Students considering graduate school are particularly encouraged to pursue this option. Interested students should discuss this with their advisors as early as possible. Information describing the requirements for the major with honors is available on the department website.

Accelerated B.A./Master’s Programs

SAPH offers a master of arts in applied sociology, an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in the nonprofit sector. These programs offer students training in the practical side of sociology, including the various methodologies and key substantive areas of the field. The program has core strengths in the sociology of health, illness, and medicine; aging and the life course; diversity, gender, and culture; and applied research methods. Courses prepare students for careers as research analysts in federal and state agencies, research organizations, and nonprofit organizations. The program also prepares students for doctoral-level coursework. In order to earn a master’s in applied sociology at UMBC, students complete 30 credits, including a capstone project. The accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program for undergraduate students allows students to take up to 9 graduate credits to apply toward the master’s degree. The 12 credit post-baccalaureate certificate in the nonprofit sector can be completed as part of the master’s degree, or separately. Admission requirements and deadlines are published on the department website.

Undergraduate public health majors at UMBC with an interest in U.S. health problems and policies can consider continuing their education at UMBC with a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) through the Accelerated Pathways Program. Once accepted into the Accelerated Pathways Program, up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses can be counted toward both the B.A. and the M.P.P.

Evening and Part Time Options

Evening courses are offered occasionally, but generally, no more than one to three evening courses are offered in a single semester. Required core courses are almost always offered during daytime hours only.

Special Opportunities

Sociology internships are available through SOCY 396 , which is offered in cooperation with The Shriver Center. Students wishing to undertake individual research projects can do so in independent study courses with faculty members of their choice (SOCY 299 , SOCY 399 , SOCY 499 ).

The university offers multiple opportunities for study abroad. Students seeking further information should contact the Study Abroad Office. Students interested in study abroad also should meet with their advisor to discuss their plans and their pathway for the completion of the major requirements.

Student Organizations

Membership in the Council of Majors is open to all declared majors. The council meets throughout the academic year.

The Council of Majors sponsors the Anthropology Club, which is open to majors and non-majors alike. Club activities have included a brown-bag lunch film series and discussion, field trips to local museums and events, sessions on the graduate school application process and internship opportunities, and potlucks that showcase food traditions from around the world. Interested students should contact the Anthropology Club faculty advisor for more information.

Lambda Alpha

Lambda Alpha is the national collegiate honor society for Anthropology, and UMBC belongs to the Beta Chapter. The purpose of the society is to encourage and stimulate scholarship and research in Anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty and other persons engaged in the study of Anthropology. For further details and membership requirements please consult the department website. The induction ceremony is held each year during the Spring semester.

Alpha Kappa Delta

The International Honor Society for Sociology is Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), and UMBC belongs to the IOTA Chapter. The purpose of the society is to encourage and stimulate scholarship and research in Sociology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline. For further details consult the department website. The induction ceremony is held in May of each year.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students are encouraged to practice and pursue original research through their course work in independent study classes. Anthropology and sociology students also may complete an honors thesis. Students can discuss these options with their academic advisor. In addition, the department faculty members at times have external grants and contracts on which undergraduates may work as research assistants. Such arrangements are made individually with faculty members.

Programs

• Cultural Anthropology, B.A.
• Public Health, B.A.
• Sociology, B.A.

• Anthropology Minor
• Public Health Minor
• Sociology Minor

• Social Dimensions of Health Certificate

Courses

• ANTH 101 - Introduction to Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 211 - Cultural Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 211Y - Cultural Anthropology (4)
• ANTH 213 - Focused Cultural Study: (region of the world/culture group to be specified in each iteration of the course) (3)
• ANTH 214 - Focused Cultural Study: South Asia (3)
• ANTH 224 - Focused Cultural Study: The Caribbean (3)
• ANTH 297 - Selected Topics in Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 302 - Human Evolution, Physical Anthropology, and Archaeology (3)
• ANTH 304 - Kinship and Family (3)
• ANTH 310 - Ethnographic Film (3)
• ANTH 311 - Urban Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 312 - Medical Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 313 - Applied Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 316 - Anthropology of Religion (3)
• ANTH 317 - Contemporary Problems in Anthropological Perspective: Special Topics (3)
• ANTH 318 - Anthropology of Science and Technology (3)
• ANTH 320 - Witchcraft and Magic (3)
• ANTH 321 - Education, Culture, and Society (3)
• ANTH 322 - Forensic Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 326 - American Indian Cultures (3)
• ANTH 367 - The Anthropology of Gender (3)
• ANTH 380 - Energy in Crisis (3)
• ANTH 381 - Design and Culture (3)
• ANTH 382 - Global Flows in Local Worlds: The Anthropology of Globalization (3)
• ANTH 397 - Selected Topics in Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 399 - Independent Study (1-3)
• ANTH 400 - Anthropological Theory (3)
• ANTH 402 - The Ethnography of Communication (3)
• ANTH 416 - Cyberspace Culture (3)
• ANTH 419 - Qualitative Methods in Social Research (3)
• ANTH 424 - Psychological Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 480 - Anthropological Research: Capstone (3)
• ANTH 491H - Honors Thesis Research I (3)
• ANTH 492H - Honors Thesis Research II (3)
• ANTH 497 - Advanced Selected Topics in Anthropology (3)
• ANTH 499 - Independent Study (1-3)

• PBHL 100 - Introduction to Public Health (3)
• PBHL 100Y - Introduction to Public Health (4)
• PBHL 200 - Human Development Implications for Health and Disease (3)
• PBHL 300 - Research Methods in Health (3)
• PBHL 310 - Population and Reproductive Health (3)
• PBHL 329 - Geography of Disease and Health (3)
• PBHL 340 - Health Communication (3)
• PBHL 350 - Public Health Ethics (3)
• PBHL 354 - Social Bases of Public and Community Health (3)
• PBHL 358 - Bioethics (3)
• PBHL 375 - Philosophy of Medicine (3)
• PBHL 380 - Global Issues in Health and Disease (3)
• PBHL 390 - American Health Care System and the Black Community (3)
• PBHL 391W - Seminar on AIDs for Health and Social Services Providers and Administrators (2)
• PBHL 398 - Selected Topics in Public Health (3)
• PBHL 401 - Occupational Health Policy and Practice (3)
• PBHL 402 - Environmental Health Policy and Practice (3)
• PBHL 403 - Introduction to International Field Research (3)
• PBHL 405 - Contemporary Issues in Long Term Care (3)
• PBHL 411 - Health Regulation and Quality Improvement (3)
• PBHL 420 - Epidemiology (3)
• PBHL 429 - Seminar in Geography of Disease and Health (3)
• PBHL 445 - Planning and Evaluation for Public Health Programs (3)
• PBHL 452 - Health Care Organization and Delivery (3)
• PBHL 470 - Public Health Internship (6)
• PBHL 495 - Health Administration and Policy Internship (5)
• PBHL 496 - Internship Seminar (1)
• PBHL 497 - Health Planning and Administration (3)
• PBHL 498 - Financial Management and Decision Support for Health Service Organizations (3)
• PBHL 499 - Independent Study (1-3)

• SOCY 101 - Basic Concepts in Sociology (3)
• SOCY 101H - Basic Concepts in Sociology-Honors (3)
• SOCY 101Y - Basic Concepts in Sociology (4)
• SOCY 201 - Social Problems in American Society (3)
• SOCY 204 - Diversity and Pluralism: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (3)
• SOCY 205 - Civic Agency and Social Entrepreneurship (3)
• SOCY 220 - Urban Sociology (3)
• SOCY 235 - Sociological Perspectives on Globalization (3)
• SOCY 297 - Selected Topics in Sociology (3)
• SOCY 298 - Selected Topics in Sociology (3)
• SOCY 299 - Independent Study (1-3)
• SOCY 300 - Methodology of Social Research (4)
• SOCY 301 - Analysis of Sociological Data (4)
• SOCY 310 - Social Stratification and Inequality (3)
• SOCY 315 - Population and Society (3)
• SOCY 321 - Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
• SOCY 330 - Deviance in Contemporary Society (3)
• SOCY 332 - Human Sexuality in Sociological Perspectives (3)
• SOCY 333 - Human Sexuality in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3)
• SOCY 334 - Sexual Diversity (3)
• SOCY 335 - Terrorism and Social Violence (3)
• SOCY 345 - Sociology of Education (3)
• SOCY 349 - The Sociology of Religion (3)
• SOCY 351 - Sociology of Health, Illness, and Medicine (3)
• SOCY 352 - Issues in Health Care (3)
• SOCY 353 - Marriage and the Family (3)
• SOCY 354 - Social Bases of Public and Community Health (3)
• SOCY 355 - The Sociology of Gender (3)
• SOCY 358 - Contemporary Problems of Aging in Society (3)
• SOCY 359 - Death and Dying (3)
• SOCY 361 - Science and Society (3)
• SOCY 365 - Sociology of the Labor Force and Occupations (3)
• SOCY 369 - Causes of Crime and Delinquency (3)
• SOCY 370 - Sociology of Law (3)
• SOCY 371 - Criminology and Penology (3)