Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Anthropology—Archaeology Concentration, BA
What Is the Study of Anthropology-Archaeology?
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.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Archaeology is the "cultural anthropology" of the human past. It uses scientific field work and laboratory techniques to investigate past human societies and the processes and effects of cultural evolution through the study of material remains. The Anthropology Department has a small, but growing program in archaeology. Our program is active in regional prehistoric and historic archaeology. Both undergraduate and graduate students' participation in fieldwork is encouraged, and necessary if one is to enter the field professionally. Unlike some professions, archaeology can be entered on some levels with a B.A. degree, although M.A. and Ph.D. work offer greater opportunities.
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 312 - Field Course in Archaeology or equivalent field experience recommended
- ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in Anthropology or another basic statistics course under advisement
- ANTH 496 - Portfolio Assembly
- One course from:
- 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
- One course from:
- 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
- Two courses from:
- ANTH 308 - Hunter-Gatherer Societies in World Prehistory
- ANTH 310 - The Rise of Civilizations
- ANTH 314 - Archaeology of North America
- Two courses from:
- ANTH 406 - Archaeological Method and Theory
- ANTH 410 - Archaeological Analysis and Interpretation
- ANTH 411 - Archaeology of Northwestern North America
- ANTH 428 - Cultural Resource Management
- Two courses from:
- ANTH 420 - Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology
- ANTH 422 - Nutritional Anthropology
- ANTH 470 - Museology Studies
- 12 credits of supporting courses in sciences, history or mathematics selected under advisement. Strongly recommended courses include:
- ENVS 220 - Map Reading and Analysis
- ENVS 321 - Computer Cartography
- ENVS 325 - Geography of Landforms
- ENVS 422 - Advanced GIS
- ENVS 427 - Soil Landscapes
- GEOL 310 - Geomorphology
- GEOL 316 - Research in Marine Paleontology
- GEOL 413 - Fluvial Geomorphology
- GEOL 415 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
- At least one course each of the major subfields: physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics (LING 201 or 204, ENG 370 may be substituted for an anthropological linguistics course)
- Elective credits in anthropology
- NOTE: only one 100-level course will count towards this major.
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
- Ethnologist
- Museum Curator
- Overseas Consultant
- Researcher
- Archaeologist
Department
Contact
Archaeology Undergraduate Advisors:
Sarah Campbell
AH 342
360-650-4793
Sarah.Campbell@wwu.edu
Todd Koetje
AH 334
360-650-4791
Todd.Koetje@wwu.edu
Department Chair:
Daniel Boxberger
AH 320
(360) 650-4798
Daniel.Boxberger@wwu.edu
Anthropology Office:
AH 315, 360-650-3620