College of Charleston Sociology and Anthropology

Dr. Sarah Platt led students this summer on a field school project along Church Street.

College of Charleston students and professors are exploring the earliest parts of the city’s history through a downtown archaeological dig on Church Street. (Full story below.)

Need an extra SOCY class for the fall semester? Interested in learning more about the sports industry through a sociological lens? Register now for SOCY 105: Sociology of Sport!

Please direct any questions about SOCY 105 to [email protected].

Honors and Award Ceremony 2026 ✨

Last night, we celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of our incredible students! We are so proud of all of you and are excited for the bright futures that lie ahead.

This Women's History Month, we're honoring the trailblazing women in Sociology and Anthropology, who overcame barriers and transformed how we understand the world. Their contributions -- past and present -- have laid the foundation of both fields as we know them today, while continuing to advance them through fresh, inclusive perspectives. Today, we're especially highlighting the work of four remarkable scholars:

⭐ Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876) — Often regarded as the first female sociologist, she critically examined social institutions like politics, religion, and slavery at a time when women were excluded from academic life.

⭐ Ellen Diggs (1906–1998) — A pioneering African American scholar, she researched Afro-Latin American and Caribbean communities and the African diaspora alongside W.E.B. Du Bois.

⭐ Patricia Hill Collins (b. 1948) — She revolutionized sociology and feminist theory by developing the concept of intersectionality in her landmark work, Black Feminist Thought.

⭐ Nancy Scheper-Hughes (b. 1944) — A medical anthropologist, she has dedicated her career to amplifying vulnerable communities and addressing human rights through ethnographic fieldwork.

Have a restful and relaxing spring break. Feel free to drop yours plans in the comments and let us know if you do anything sociological or anthropological!

Here are some sociological and anthropological articles to read this Valentine's Day weekend! There are so many interesting social and cultural phenomenons to explore on this holiday --from gender roles to the cultural significance of kissing.

To access the full articles, click the links below:

https://thesocietypages.org/discoveries/2023/08/24/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue-online-dating-may-have-a-gendered-view/

https://thesocietypages.org/trot/2019/02/14/love-behind-bars/

https://artsci.tamu.edu/news/2025/02/kiss-me-im-an-anthropologist.html

https://uitac.com/inthenewsblog/sociology-and-valentines-day/

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/where-does-valentines-day-come-from

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Groundhog day?

This Smithsonian Magazine article explains some of the cultural and historical roots of holidays that record the changing of the seasons for agricultural, spiritual, and folkloric purposes, which have evolved into what we now know as Groundhog Day in the US.

To read the full article, visit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/short-history-groundhog-day-180958018/

Honoring Black history, culture, and achievements this February and always!

Today, we recognize prominent and trailblazing Black sociologists and anthropologists, including but not limited to W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Zora Neale Hurston, and Audrey Smedley. Their work, ideas, and actions continue to reshape how social scientists understand society, justice, and culture in terms of race, identity, heritage, colonialism, and more.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continuously fought for justice, equality, and peace. We honor his legacy, work, and impact today and always.

Scroll to learn more about community events happening this week to continue the celebration!

Have a great winter break and Happy Holidays! See you in January ⛄