Anthropology and Sociology provide a comparative framework for interpreting and explaining human social behavior. Although each discipline arose in response to different historical circumstances which have resulted in somewhat different traditions of emphasis and approach, the two fields draw from a common body of theory and, increasingly, a common toolkit of research methods. For these reasons, the department presents the two disciplines as interdependent. Students majoring in Anthropology/Sociology will become familiar with a wide range of human societies in all regions of the world. They will gain an appreciation for the cultural complexity, historical context, and global connections that link societies and social institutions to one another. They will also learn about key social structures and dynamics embedded in contemporary societies, including the forms of social power and privilege that exist in any society, and how these often unequal power relations are organized, sustained, reproduced, and transformed. Students contemplating the major are urged to consult with department faculty in order to design a personalized program of study, making use of relevant courses in allied disciplines and/or off-campus study when appropriate.