Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Anthropology, BA
What Is the Study of Anthropology?
Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, past and present. This study includes humankind’s physical development and creation of diverse lifestyles. The cross-cultural approach of Anthropology provides a framework for understanding all the diverse facets of what it means to be human.
The Anthropology Department provides training in four sub-disciplines: Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Physical Anthropology and Anthropological Linguistics. Using ethnographic, ethnological and ethnohistorical tools and information supplied by the four sub disciplines, the Anthropologist studies cultures and the processes of human development comparatively.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Do you find human diversity and various cultures fascinating? Do you like to approach subjects from multiple perspectives? Do you prefer a holistic style of learning? Do you want to know why as well as how? Are you fascinated by human diversity? Are you enthusiastic, intelligent, and open-minded? If so, you may wish to consider a major in Anthropology. Students earning a degree in Anthropology will be able to apply their learning to a variety of jobs locally and internationally in the global economy of today’s world.
How to Declare:
To declare, a student must have completed the following requirements:
- ANTH 301 or
- ANTH 303 or
- ANTH 335
Contact the Department of Anthropology at (360) 650-3620 or visit their office in Arntzen Hall 315 to declare the major and connect with a departmental advisor.
Advising Tips: Students are advised to declare their major early in their academic career.
Anthropology advisors will provide information about the program, help develop a plan of study and answer any questions.
Coursework
- ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 301 - Anthropological Theory
- ANTH 303 - Qualitative Methods in Anthropology
- ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in Anthropology or another basic statistics course under advisement
- ANTH 490 - Senior Seminar in Anthropology or other culminating project under advisement (e.g., internship or directed independent study)
- ANTH 496 - Portfolio Assembly
- Methods Component: At least one course from the following:
- ANTH 410 - Archaeological Analysis and Interpretation
- ANTH 420 - Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology
- ANTH 428 - Cultural Resource Management
- ANTH 447 - Anthropological Semiotics
- ANTH 470 - Museology Studies
- ANTH 471 - Field Work Methods in Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 472 - Visual Anthropology
- ANTH 473 - Field Course in Ethnography
- ANTH 480 - Applied Anthropology
- (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 - Religion and Culture
- ANTH 338 - Economic Anthropology
- ANTH 350 - The Ecology of Human Variation
- ANTH 351 - Family and Kinship Organization
- ANTH 352 - Cross-Cultural Study of Aging
- ANTH 353 - Sex and Gender in Culture
- ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology
- ANTH 429 - Politics, Power and Inequality
- ANTH 440 - Cyborg Anthropology
- ANTH 453 - Women of the Global South
- ANTH 475 - Global Migration
- ANTH 481 - Childhood and Culture
- ANTH 484 - Cross-Cultural Education
- Culture Region Component: At least one course from the following:
- ANTH 361 - Native Peoples of North America
- ANTH 362 - Peoples of Asia
- ANTH 365 - Peoples of Latin America
- ANTH 460 - Culture and Society of Japan
- ANTH 462 - Native Peoples of the Northwest
- ANTH 463 - Peoples of East and Southeast Asia
- ANTH 465 - Peoples of Mexico and Central America
- ANTH 476 – Borderlands
- At least one course each of the major subfields:
- physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics (LING201 or 204, ENG 370 may be substituted for an anthropological linguistics course)
- Only one 100-level course will count toward major, minor or archaeology concentration
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: ANTH 335
- SSC: ANTH 102, 201, 210, 247; LING 201, 204
- ACGM: ANTH 362, 365
- BCGM: ANTH 104, 353, 361
- LSCI: ANTH 215
Sample Careers
- International Studies
- Law Enforcement
- Ethnologist
- Diplomacy
- Museum Curator
- Overseas Consultant
- Linguist
- Education
- Researcher
- Translator
- Archaeologist
- International Business
- Politics
- Governmental Advisor
- Cultural Diversity Programs
- Human Resources
- Social Services
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Daniel Boxberger
AH320
(360) 650-4798
Undergraduate Advisor:
Anthropology Office
AH 315
360-650-3620