HSA Student Experiences

History, Sociology, and Anthropology(HSA) Students at SUU are provided a range of resources to fortify their learning and set them up for success in future careers.

Student Research Spotlights

The HSA Department at SUU is proud to highlight the innovative research conducted by our students. From examining social justice issues to analyzing community dynamics, these projects showcase the value and insight of student-led inquiry.

Children's Justice - Maddy Steffensen

Unfortunately, child abuse happens more than you think. For her sociology capstone project, Maddy had the opportunity to do service at the Iron County Children’s Justice Center located in Enoch, Utah. Its mission is to help children feel safe, protected, and comfortable after being abused. Maddy completed more than 42 hours of service at the center.

Foster Kids in Pop Culture - Isabeau Miller

Winner of the 2025 Outstanding Sociology Student award, Isabeau Miller, completed a sociology capstone research project in the Fall of 2024. Izzy analyzed pop culture representations of foster kids, one of the most vulnerable populations of children and youth. Using content coding methods, Izzy compiled statistics on 17 major themes, mostly reflecting negative stereotypes in Season One of the TV show The Fosters.

Isabeau Miller with outstanding student award

Anthropology Alumni Research

Two of our recent Anthropology graduates, Annie Weight and Kennley Cook, published their original research in the Journal of Undergraduate Research in Anthropology, Fall 2025. Read these incredible students work.

Study Abroad Trips

Dr. Eddy (Associate Professor of Sociology) leads SUU short-term study abroad trips for two weeks each May. While he sometimes leads a trip that visits London for one week and Paris for the second week, his trip to Japan has been offered on a more regular basis. In his study abroad course, “Sociology in Japan,” students earn 6 credits.

Dr Matthew Eddy and SUU Sociology Students at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Japan

During the first week of the trip, you explore Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods and consider elements of successful urban planning in Tokyo, the largest city in the world, home to 37 million people. In the second week, you study the traditional and religious culture of Japan (Buddhism, Shintoism, and unique offshoots of those religions) in Kyoto, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 8 more in the nearby ancient capital of Nara.

SUU Sociology Students eating lunch in Japan

Alumni Success

Graduates from SUU's History, Sociology, and Anthropology Departments carry their knowledge and skills into diverse fields, shaping communities and driving meaningful change. From advocacy and research to leadership roles, our alumni exemplify the power of a sociological perspective in the real world.

Documentary Filmmaking Class

Students in Sociology 3530: Documentary Filmmaking on Social Issues have been completing ethnographic and sociological short documentary films in this course since 2018. Students learn skills in capturing video and sound, conducting interviews and ethical research, editing film with professional grade software, and crafting an engaging story.

Many of the best student films are housed on the course YouTube Channel: SUU Social Documentary Studio - HSA.