UR Now: University News
Volunteers dig in for a more sustainable future at the University of Richmond
Students and other community members come together to plant a farmette in the Eco-Corridor.
Department News
New Policy - Sociology courses: All students who have taken SOC 101 are eligible to take sociology electives. A student no longer needs to have SOC 211 or SOC 221 to take 300-level courses.
Marina Valentine receives 2026 James A. Sartain scholarship
Congratulations to Marina Valentine, recipient of the James A. Sartain scholarship for a student majoring in sociology. Professor and Chair Matthew Oware presented Marina with the award at the department’s Spring Celebration on April 2.
Ny’Kya Scott McKoy receives the Westhampton College Diamond Award
Sociology senior Ny’Kya Scott-McKoy was named recipient of the Westhampton College Diamond Award, presented annually to a student who exemplifies the College’s values and spirit, demonstrates leadership within the community and upholds a commitment to women’s education. Over the course of her time at the University of Richmond, Ny’Kya faced challenges with determination, overcoming them to achieve academic success while helping to make the University a better place, earning the admiration of her peers and advisors.
Students form Sociology Club
University of Richmond students are organizing a new Sociology Club on campus. This club hopes to bring more students into the Sociology and Anthropology department, have innovative discussions about sociological topics, connect with both faculty and alumni, and have fun, interactive events on campus! Students of any major or minor are welcome to join and/or help plan events.
Honors Program & Honor Societies
The goal of the anthropology and sociology honors programs is to allow students with superior interests and talents to explore these fields, personal intellectual interests, and themes beyond the limits of typical courses.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology also offers students the opportunity to join two honor societies. Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship and study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to improvement in the human condition. Lambda Alpha supports scholarship and research by acknowledging and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students engaged in the study of anthropology.
Feature Stories
Student Scholars
Eight University of Richmond Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
Eight University of Richmond students have been offered Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad experiences.
UR Now: STUDENT EXPERIENCE
A&S Student Symposium showcases undergraduate research
With 400+ presenters across 30 disciplines, the annual University of Richmond event transforms campus into a forum for discovery, creativity, and collaboration.
UR Now: STUDENT EXPERIENCE
University of Richmond professors bring learning into the residence halls
Faculty in Residence host events and build relationships that connect academic and residential life.
Faculty Highlights
Sweis presents at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Rania Kassab Sweis, associate professor of anthropology, presented "The Politics of Medicine in the Middle East" at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago in honor of National Arab American Heritage Month.
Sweis joins editorial board
Rania Kassab Sweis, associate professor of anthropology, joined the Editorial Board of the International Journal for Middle East Studies (IJMES), the flagship interdisciplinary journal in the field of Middle East studies.
Sweis presents at Yale global health conference
Rania Kassab Sweis, associate professor of anthropology, presented “The Making of Syrian American Medical Humanitarians” at the Global Health in a Turbulent Middle East and North Africa: Anthropological Perspectives conference hosted by the Yale MacMillan Center Council on Middle East Studies.
Oware publishes on how environment influences rap personas
Matthew Oware, Irving May Professor of Human Relations, published “Race and Space in Rap: Conceptions of (Multi)Racial Identity and Urban Life in Rap Music” in The Arts and Urban Development.
Scholarship Repository Readership
The University of Richmond's Scholarship Repository shares faculty publications with a world-wide audience. The map below shows where articles from sociology and anthropology faculty are being read around the globe.
Mailing Address:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
302 Weinstein Hall
231 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8067
Fax: (804) 287-1278
Department Chair: Dr. Matthew Oware
Administrative Coordinator: Diane Zotti