A Few Questions about Middlebury

hilariamaxima · 10-28-2009, 02:24 PM

I visited Midd last year and absolutely loved it. However, I have a few worries/questions.

1. The music facilities seemed a little...lacking. Only like 5 practice rooms (or did I miss something?) How is the music there, for a non-major?

2. I'm really interested in anthropology, but Midd has "Sociology/Anthropology" listed as a major. What does this mean--can you pick one? I'm wondering how strong the department is, especially on physical anthro.

Thanks!

arcadia · 10-28-2009, 03:10 PM

From Middlebury's Website (forgive me if you've seen this already):

Quote:

The Department of Sociology/Anthropology has the unique feature of combining two disciplines within a single departmental major. We encourage students to take full advantage of this opportunity to develop a perspective for the systematic analysis and understanding of human behavior. Based on the empirical findings of the closely related disciplines of sociology and anthropology, this perspective is inherently comparative, in that the department is concerned with the impact of culture and society in various settings.

Although these disciplines share common concern about human behavior, each has its own history, concepts, and theoretical commitments. Anthropology essentially focuses on the role of culture in human experience, and sociology is concerned primarily with the role of social interaction and the social structure in human experience.

If you have questions about the Sociology/Anthropology Department at Middlebury, please contact:

Professor David Stoll
Department Chair
dstoll@middlebury.edu

Sociology / Anthropology

tk21769 · 10-28-2009, 05:28 PM

Sounds like they've come up with a way to take a shortcoming and market it as a desirable "unique feature". It appears Middlebury only offers one physical anthropology course (an introduction). It's a fine school; I'd rather see a small number of well-taught courses than a glut of poor ones. But there are other schools that offer a little more quantity in addition to quality.

Beloit is a LAC that seems to have a very strong anthro department. https://www.beloit.edu/anthropology/
Compare Middlebury's single physical anthropology offering (SOAN 0159 Human Origins, Culture, and Biodiversity) to Beloit's 5:
120. The Human Animal
320. Primate Social Behavior and Ecology
324. Hominid Paleoecology
326. Human Osteology
328. Medical Anthropology (not purely physical anthro, but it overlaps)

Other LACs that appear to have strong anthro departments include Bryn Mawr and Colorado College.
Bryn Mawr College: Anthropology
Colorado College: Anthropology

Bryn Mawr is a women's college. Colorado College is (like Middlebury) a very outdoorsy school in a gorgeous natural setting, with the attractions of a small city as well as nearby mountains. Their one-course-at-a-time "block plan" facilitates field work and research projects.

Midd is the most selective of all these schools and I understand its appeal. But check out the others. Even if you still think Middlebury is your first choice, you'll need some back-up. Beloit, Bryn Mawr or CC might make good alternatives.

Catlinjon · 10-28-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm in the same boat as you: Top LAC, anthropology/history major, and non-major performing in musical groups. I remember really liking the music facilities when I visited. Their new stage for small performance (solo/chamber) was gorgeous. They had a ton of events lined up at the arts center. Though most of them were for dance, they still had a significant amount of orchestral performances and groups, so I was satisfied. You should definitely get the opinion of someone who goes there though.

tk21769 · 10-28-2009, 06:47 PM

Catlinjon, I'm a little confused. You're talking about Middlebury? You visited but wound up at another school, where you are now an anthro/history major? Or you're a HS senior, describing what you are looking for?