Washburn Sociology and Anthropology Department

09/03/2026

Have you heard about National Forensic Science Week? Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the Washburn Forensic Science programs and the KBI!
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd
Time: Noon - 1:00 PM
Location: Washburn B, Union

Washburn University forensic science programs are collaborating with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) in celebration of National Forensic Science Week! This year, we are pleased to return to the Union for an expert roundtable event designed to engage and inspire students and faculty alike!

The event will feature professionals from the KBI Forensic Science Center, Johnson County Crime Lab, Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Forensic Medical, and the Topeka Police Department. These experts will be available to speak with interested students and faculty about careers, current practices, and developments in the field of forensic science.

Date: Tuesday, September 22nd
Time: Noon - 1:00 PM
Location: Washburn B, Union

09/01/2026

Today in Dr. Ibañez's Introduction to Sociology class, students played a simulation game called Star Power. By trading beads and making rules, students competed for points in hopes of winning a gift card. The game illustrates social structure and the sociological imagination, two foundational concepts of SO100.

09/01/2026

Washburn University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology invites applications for a Sociology Lecturer to begin in August 2027. This is a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track position with a renewable annual contract.

Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by October 1 will receive full consideration.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://careers.washburn.edu/jobs/lecturer-sociology-topeka-kansas-united-states

If you have questions, please contact Lindsey Ibañez, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected].

Position Title: Lecturer (Sociology) Department: Sociology & Anthropology Campus Location: Washburn University Position Summary: Washburn University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology invites applications for a Sociology Lecturer to begin in August 2027. This is a full-time, nine-month,....

08/28/2026

You may recognize some names in this press release. 😀

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has reappointed three Washburn University faculty members to serve on boards overseen by the Kansas Historical Society.

08/26/2026

In Dr. Park’s SO316 East Asia course, students are learning how to write Chinese, Japanese & Korean. They wrote their names on keychains and nice phrases on bookmarks. Nice work!

08/25/2026

Students enrolled in Dr. Klales' AN316 Forensic Anthropology & Laboratory course attended a tour/Q&A session at the Shawnee County Coroner's Office in Topeka today!

Lead Investigator Fletcher Turner, D-ABMDI, gave a tour of the office and explained the role of medicolegal death investigators, forensic pathologists, and other forensic specialists in the medicolegal system.

Fletcher is a WU alum and earned his Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in 2022!

08/24/2026

Summer did fly by and now here we are in Week 2 of the semester! We particularly wanted to take a moment to highlight from the August newsletter two students who completed internships this summer!

Two BA in Anthropology majors held summer internships at the Kansas Historical Society.

👏Jennifer Zuno, mentored by Dr. Mary Sundal, was the John Ripley Intern and completed an inventory of the collections from the Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site.

👏Adelaide Justus, mentored by Dr. Laura
Murphy, was the Marylouise Meder Intern and completed an inventory of the collections from the Kansas Rural Center.

Click the link for a College of Arts & Sciences summer recap, as well as a look ahead as fall semester begins, in the August CAS newsletter: mailchi.mp/8727c665c941/washburn-cas-newsletter-17264694

08/17/2026

Welcome back, Ichabods! 🎩

Share with us your “first day” photos in the comments.

Dr. Park, first day of year 21.
Dr. Murphy, first day of year 11.

Time flies when you are teaching Sociology and Anthropology.

08/11/2026

Dr. Mary Sundal's co-authored book, Exploring Medical Anthropology 5th Edition, is now available! Dr. Sundal completed the 5th edition during an academic sabbatical and with support from the CAS Summer Professional Development Fellowship. You can learn more about the book and preorder here: You can learn more about the book and preorder here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003340461/exploring-medical-anthropology-donald-joralemon-mary-sundal