Anthropology Major
Undergraduate Advisor Coordinators: Viva Barnes; Jean Webster
The discipline of anthropology studies humankind in the cultures of the world, both past and present. This study includes humankind's physical development and the wide diversity of lifestyles people have created.
The main goal of Anthropology is to understand objectively the reasons for both similarities and differences among humans, their behaviors and ideas. Using the central concept of culture, a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and material objects that members of a society use to cope with their world, anthropologists investigate and gather data on the human condition.
The anthropology major focuses on four major degrees to provide a well rounded perspective and are the basics for the degree:
Anthropology seeks to understand and describe each culture in its own perspective and in comparative perspective. Cultural anthropologists gather data through first-hand field study in other cultures and do cross-cultural comparative studies which provide insight and understanding of the modes and patterns of human life.
Three concentrations are available Archaeology, Cultural and BioCultural
Biological Anthropology BS and Biologicial Anthropology BA are the biosocial analysis of all aspects of the human experience within the context of local ecology and sometimes, prehistory. Most majors pursue degrees in applied health or research in some aspect of human biology such as anatomy, forensics, genetics or physiology.
Linguistic Anthropology studies the interrelationships between human culture and language with special focus on unwritten languages, emphasizing the diversity of world languages and non-verbal human communication.
Utilizing ethnographic, ethnological and ethnohistorical tools, as well as information supplied by these four subdisciplines, the anthropologist comparatively studies cultures and the processes of human development. These findings have many practical uses.
Degrees offered in this department are the BA and the BAE (BA in Education). In addition a combined anthropology/biology BA or BS major is offered.
NEW! Students are only eligible to declare an anthropology major if they have successfully completed any one of the following core courses: Anth 301, 303, 335.
DEGREE COURSEWORK & REQUIREMENTS
Anthropology-BA (65 credits)
Core Components
- Anth 201
- Anth 210
- Anth 215
- Anth 247 (Ling 201 or 204, Eng 370 may be substituted for an anthropological linguistics course)
- Anth 301
- Anth 303
- Anth 335 or another basic statistics course under departmental advisement
- Anth 490, or other culminating project under advisement (e.g., internship or directed independent study)
- Anth 496
Methods
- At least one course from the following:
Anth 410, 420, 428, 447, 470, 471, 472, 473, 480
(where appropriate an internship, practicum or archaeological methods course may be substituted under advisement)
Topical Component
- At least one course from the following:
Anth 330, 338, 350, 351, 352, 353, 424, 429, 440, 453, 475, 481, 484
Culture Region Component
- At least one course from the following:
Anth 361, 362, 365, 460, 462, 463, 465, 476
Electives
Electives in anthropology under departmental advisement. Student selection of a complementary minor under advisement is strongly recommended.
Only one 100-level course will count toward any major or minor.
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