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Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Our department’s majors explore some of today’s most consequential social issues, examining such topics as the causes of social justice, social inequality, the social factors that influence human behavior, and the diversity of cultural practices.
In addition to bachelors’ degrees in Sociology and Social Work, AUM offers minors in Social Work, Sociology, Anthropology, and Child Advocacy Studies.
The Sociology major offers concentrations in Anthropology, Marriage and Family, and pre-Social Work. These options allow students to design their degree to best fit their educational and career goals. Students learn from faculty that specialize in sociology of families, religion, and education, as well as urban sociology, anthropology, archaeology, and social work. Internships, field practicums, archaeological fieldwork, and other experiential learning opportunities prepare students for their future careers by allowing them to take the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom and apply it to directly to the community.
Our degree plans prepare you for a variety of career paths, including non-profit work, social work, local, state, and federal agencies, museums, the law, and many other areas. University- and department-level scholarships may be available.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers students a traditional liberal arts education to meet the needs of the 21st century, allowing them to compete for a variety of careers in an increasingly complex and evolving world.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Anthropology
Sociology
General Sociology
Sociology
Marriage and Family
Sociology
Pre-Social Work
Sociology
Social Work
Minors
Many students choose a minor in sociology, child advocacy studies or anthropology to enhance their educational experience in the social sciences.
A broad minor focusing toward the four-field approach to the study of anthropology. For more information, please contact Dr. Kimberly Pyszka at [email protected] or (334) 244-3637.
This minor will prepare pre-professionals and practitioners to respond to child maltreatment in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner. For more information, please contact Ms. Gina Allen at [email protected] or 334-394-5484.
A broad minor focusing on the various aspects of society’s culture and social life. For more information, please contact Dr. David Feltmate at [email protected] or (334) 244-3391.
Our social work minor focuses on social services with vulnerable populations. It allows students interested in social services to supplement a wide variety of majors. Contact Dr. Suzie Cashwell, Ms. Gina Allen, or check with your academic advisor.
Apply Now
Through its various departments, the AUM College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers a variety of resources to give students the necessary knowledge and skills to be profoundly competitive. Join us and apply to AUM, where learning matters most. It’s why we learn-and why we teach.
Faculty & Staff
Kimberly Pyszka
Department Chair; Associate Professor of Anthropology
Kimberly Pyszka
Department Chair; Associate Professor of Anthropology | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Kim Brackett
Associate Dean; Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Susan Cashwell
Associate Professor; Social Work Program Director
Susan Cashwell
Associate Professor; Social Work Program Director | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Brett Lehman
Associate Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
About Professor Lehman
My research addresses difficult and persistent issues like bullying and aggression in schools as well as educational inequality. I encourage my students to take an active role in developing creative solutions to social problems through blending their academic studies with experiential learning. Some course projects have included volunteering, campus community engagement, and guided research.
I encourage AUM students to view any course as a valuable part of their education, skill development, and personal development. While other priorities may have been encouraged in the past, college does not need to be a time to reduce one’s efforts or identity down to a test score, grade, diploma, or job title. When learning, skill development, and personal development are prioritized, good grades, graduation, and career opportunities will come. And you will enjoy the experience.”
Brett Lehman
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Yolanda Machado-Escudero
Assistant Professor of Social Work | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Zongli Tang
Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
I joined the AUM faculty in 2001 and received my Ph.D. in Demography/Sociology from University of Alberta, Canada, a master’s degree in Economics from Wuhan University, China, a master’s degree in Sociology from University of Regina, Canada, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy from Anhui University, China. Before joining the faculty at AUM, I was a social scientist at Massachusetts Institute for Social Economic Research, University of Massachusetts (Amherst), where, as the state demographer, I was elected as a member of the steering committee in the Federal State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates (FSCPE). I was also the principal investigator of several projects granted by the US Census Bureau and the state government. Currently, I am an Full Professor of Sociology at AUM.
My research interests cover the following areas: population studies, racial/ethnic studies (including ethnic cultures), political economy, and urbanization with a quantitative focus. I have published six books, a number of book chapters and research papers in internationally and nationally recognized journals. I have made more than 50 presentations and lectures at national and international conferences. The courses that I have taught include Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods, Social Statistics, Minority Groups, Demographic Techniques, International Economy, and Thinking Philosophy in China and Japan.
