Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Student Organizations
Alpha Kappa Delta
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work is proud to sponsor a chapter of the Alpha Kappa Delta society, the International Honor Society in Sociology. Inductees must be junior year students who are officially declared sociology majors or minors. Each year, at the beginning of the Spring Semester, the department's AKD chapter representative, notifies eligible majors and invites them to join AKD. The department inducts those majors who accept this honor at the annual ceremony in the spring as part of a program that includes the Annual Stanley L. Saxton Address.
The department's AKD Chapter representative is Dr. Joy Kadowaki.
In 1920, University of Southern California sociologist, Dr. Emory S. Bogardus, founded Alpha Kappa Delta for the purposes of stimulating scholarship and promoting the scientific study of society. Bogardus' impetus in establishing this organization was to provide a forum for student and faculty interchange. His endeavor paved the way for what has become an international organization dedicated to promoting, facilitating, and recognizing academic scholarship.
The name, Alpha Kappa Delta, was chosen because the letters represent the first letters of the three classical Greek words that embody the function of the society. They are: anthrôpos, meaning mankind; katamanthanô, meaning to examine closely or acquire knowledge, and; diakoneô meaning to do service.
Since its inception, the aim of Alpha Kappa Delta has been to stimulate scholarship, through publication and other avenues. The focus of AKD has always been fellowship for students, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work Student Organization
The Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Student Organization (SASSO) is comprised of majors, minors, and interested others who meet and sponsor various activities and programs. Past events and activities have included schedule-planning sessions, student-faculty socials, film series, guest speakers, and graduate school panels.
Undergraduate students are at the heart of the department, and play an important role in department programming and social events. SASSO is a vibrant student organization open to all students with an interest in sociology, anthropology, or social work. Previous events have included course planning, career and graduate school advice, conversations with department alumni, and opportunities to get to know department faculty.