Department of Sociology & Anthropology

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  • A conductor on the Underground Railroad, Lake Forest College founder Sylvester Lind was an important leader in the City of Lake Forest, where African Americans were welcomed into the community. Working with Art Miller, the College’s archivist, students in one of Professor Holly Swyers’ classes researched the vibrant African American community that once lived on Lind’s land on what is now South Campus.

Although sociology and anthropology arose from two traditions, they are engaged in a common endeavor. Both fields ask students to explore similarities and contrasts in human social behavior, and students in this joint department learn how to examine other cultures and societies while they gain qualitative and quantitative tools for similar analysis outside the classroom. Work in the department centers on the comparative analysis of human societies, and we emphasize study of both modern and pre-modern societies, including issues of contemporary social policy.