Anthropology professors are looking to separate the program from its sociology counterpart after seeing the major's increasing popularity in recent years.

Forty-four students are currently majoring in the social science since the program was established only four years ago. In response to its growth, many anthropology professors have also initiated a push to become an independent department.

Susan Terrio, anthropology program director and director of undergraduate studies, said that there has been such significant growth in the number of students majoring in anthropology that the faculty has begun to push to separate from the sociology faculty in the last few years. Currently the anthropology program is part of the department of sociology and anthropology.

“There was not even anthropology major 10 years ago,” she said. “The initiative to separate sociology and anthropology, historically always together at Georgetown, came from the faculty in the anthropology unit … [and] it was supported by all the faculty in the department.”

Due to its growth in size and visibility, Terrio said the faculty presented the provost with a detailed proposal for independent departmental status in September. “We formally proposed an independent major and had reason to expect a positive outcome because we had the support of the Dean of the College, Jane McAuliffe,” she said.

Despite support from the Dean’s Office, the Provost denied the request for an independent anthropology department.
University Provost James O’Donnell said that there have been ongoing discussions with faculty members in regard to the possibility of a separate anthropology department over the last year. But he said that, as of last fall, he was not prepared to support the faculty members’ specific proposal for an independent department.

“In September, I indicated that the proposal then in place was one that I was not prepared to endorse,” he said.

Yet he added that no final decision has yet been reached.

“[I] assume conversations on this subject will continue,” he said.
Terrio said the modern development of the anthropology field and its growing distance with sociology necessitates a move to an independent department.

“The disciplines of sociology and anthropology have been separate in terms of research models, methodology and theoretical underpinnings for almost a century,” Terrio said. “We don't publish in the same journals or go to the same professional conferences.”

Terrio also noted increased interest in the department’s course offerings not only among majors and minors, but also those who simply have interest or curiosity in the field. Victoria Handley (COL ’11), who is considering declaring anthropology as her major, said that she thinks independent status is important for anthropology but that they should not lose sight of the relevance of sociology in the field.

“I think if you’re looking for a true major, then you should be separate, but there are parts of sociology that are important too,” she said.