There are ample opportunities to enhance your education in anthropology and sociology. Advisers in the department actively encourage students to take part in research opportunities, off-campus study and internships offered by Knox, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, and other organizations. These programs are integral to a Knox education, teaching you how to apply your skills in "real world" situations.
Student Research and Creative Projects Knox is a leader in promoting top-notch undergraduate research. In fact, more than 85 percent of all Knox students complete an independent research or creative project by the time they graduate. Many students' projects are supported by an unusually rich array of Knox College funding programs that together provide students more than $200,000 each year in support of their work. These sources include: Richter Memorial Scholars Program, Ford Foundation Research Fellows Program, Ronald E. McNair Fellows Program and departmentally supported independent studies. In addition, special fellowships awarded to Knox through national competitions and through the research grants of Knox faculty make Knox a leader in promoting undergraduate research. Examples of recent research projects include: - "Legal Advocacy in Child Welfare," Rachel Ellen Bobinsky '07, anthropology/sociology major.
- "Social and Gender Ideologies of Latina Gang Members," Emily Sitnick '07, anthropology/sociology major, independent study/senior research funded by McNair program.
- "Poverty and Homelessness in Kenya," Adios Atta-Krah '06, anthropology/sociology and French major.
- "Extensive Studies in Dance: Dance Makers Workshop," Kimberly Deschamps '06, anthropology/sociology major, independent study/senior research funded by Richter program.
- "Textile Design," Eleanor Belt '06, anthropology/sociology major.
- "The Image and the Impact," Melissa Birkett '06, anthropology/sociology major.
- "A Domestic Violence Prevention Program in Knox County, Illinois: Problems and Prospects," Tianna Cervantez '06, anthropology/sociology major, independent study/senior research funded by McNair program.
- "Visual Culture Theory," Devin Hogan '06, anthropology/sociology major.
- "Welfare Reform and the Culture of Poverty: Misguided Policies lead to Misleading Promises," Dana Jenkins '06, anthropology/sociology major, independent study/senior research funded by McNair program.
- "Small City Journalism: Community of Color Coverage and Conflict," Julio Trujillo '06, anthropology & sociology major, independent study/senior research funded by McNair program.
College Honors Outstanding students may elect to undertake College Honors in their senior year, carrying out an advanced research project presented and defended to a faculty committee that includes a distinguished outside examiner. Examples of recent Honors projects include: - Sociology: "Restoring Justice and, Sometimes, Selfhood: An Exploration of Identity, the Self, and Values in Restorative Justice Narratives," by Julia Miller Strehlow '07.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "Trash Hunters: An ethnographic Study of Scavenging in Khon Kaen, Tahiland," by Mary Ellen Batterman '07.
- Anthropology/Sociology and French: "Contested Identities: The Case of African Immigrants Living in France," by Adwoa Benponmaa Atta-Krah '06.
- Anthropology/Sociology and French: "Beyond the Incense, World Music, and 'Earth Tones': Perceptions of Fair Trade Amongst Ghanaian Producers and French Consumers," Abimbola Olubunmi Laniyan '06.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "Partisan Airwaves: The Repeal of the Fairness Doctrine and the Rise of Talk Radio," by Donald Forti '06.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "Do-It-Yourself, Do-It-Together: Culture and Community in Chicago's Zine Scene," by Vanessa Gelvin '06.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "Urbs in Horto: Community Gardening in Northeast Chicago," by Golden Powell '06.
- Anthropology-Sociology: "Small City Journalism: Community of Color Coverage and Conflict," by Julio Trujil '06.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "Consuming Bollywood, Spirituality and the Hindu Life Cycle: Transitions Between Emotional Spheres," by Anjali Krishan '05.
- Anthropology: " South Africa's Sexuality Supercollider: Gender, Love and Identity of Black Youth in the Time of HIV/AIDS," by Themba Mabona '04.
- Anthropology/Sociology: "'It Feels Like I'm Grounded for Life': A Look at the Social Support Network of Teen Mothers in Galesburg," by Amanda Erwin '03.
- Anthropology/Sociology and Gender & Women's Studies: "'White Trash' and the Deserving Poor: Re-visioning Cultural Mythologies in the Literature of Tillie Olsen and Dorothy Allison," by Danielle Docka '02.
Off-campus Study Knox offers you plenty of opportunities to begin exploring the world while still a student. Almost 50 percent of Knox students participate in off-campus study and consider their studies abroad to be the highlight of their college experiences. Internships As a student of anthropology and sociology at Knox, you'll have the opportunity to expand your education—to get that valuable "real world" experience you hear so much about—by completing an internship. Internships provide an opportunity to explore and test career options, to gain experiences and skills needed to succeed as a professional, to build a resume, to network and make critical connections, and to experience a work environment. More and more employers are looking for college graduates with career-related experience. Knox's Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development specializes in helping you find an internship that best matches your goals and interests. Recent internships by anthropology & sociology students include: - Intern, Common Cause California, Sacramento, California. Brian Camozzi '08.
- Photo Assistant Intern, Denali National Park in Alaska. Anne Barker '07.
- Summer Intern, World Book Publishing in Chicago, Illinois. Kelsey Jensen '07.
- Administrative Intern, Honor The Earth, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nicole Olson '06 .
- Liaison Intern, Berlin, El Salvador (working with group that collaborates between rural communities and church delegations from the United States). Ashley Palar '06.
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