Cultural Anthropologists seek to understand both the cultural and individual bases for behavior; and how political, economic, and social factors affect both the individuals and various groups. Although statistical and other quantitative methods are used, much of Cultural Anthropology is qualitative-descriptive.

Classical anthropological fieldwork requires prolonged residence (of one or more years) with a particular group in order to understand their way of life. Until World War II, Cultural Anthropology focused especially on non-Western cultures, including Native American Indians, gaining a unique perspective on human life and behavior. More recently this perspective and field work method have been applied as well to Western culture.

People with anthropological training are actively employed in many fields in which their anthropological training and cross-cultural perspectives are valuable. Some of the fields are: investment banking; international and domestic merchandising; health care; personnel work; government; advertising; broadcasting; law; social work; and many areas of business.

There are a wide range of elective courses open to those interested primarily in Cultural Anthropology, and the student's program can often be designed to fit particular concerns or interests.

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, 470, 471, 472, 473, 480, 495
  (where appropriate an internship, practicum or archaeological methods course may be substituted under advisement)

• At least one course from the following:
  
  Anth 330, 338, 350, 351, 352, 353, 424, 429, 453, 475, 481, 484

Culture Region Component

• At least one course from the following:
  
  Anth 361, 362, 364, 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.