Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Anthropology—Elementary, BAEd
What Is the Study of Anthropology-Elementary?
The Anthropology Department provides a combined major in accordance with the Woodring College of Education requirements. Anthropology is an approved endorsement for elementary education. Anthropology is a particularly desirable major concentration for teachers, because it provides a broad and basic understanding of human behavior. Prospective teachers will often work with students of various cultural backgrounds and an awareness of specific cultural learning influences, perception, attitudes, motivations, and behavior is an integral part of working with students from diverse backgrounds. This is the basis of the core subjects in cultural anthropology.
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Through the required basic courses in Anthropology, education majors will acquire an understanding of the nature of human beings, the evolution of the human species and the tremendous variation of cultural traits that are both our heritage and potential. Through faculty advisement, prospective students will be informed of advanced coursework that are beneficial combinations to complete individual academic goals. One possible emphasis is the culture of the Native American Indians--a subject that most elementary teacher cover at some point in their curriculum. Another emphasis may be cultural minority groups in the Pacific Northwest. The relationship of cultural learning to personality development and the relationship of cultural expectations to the learning process itself are other important areas covered by courses which may be taken as part of the Anthropology Education Major.
How to Declare:
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.
Applying to the Elementary Education Professional Program:
Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits (most or all GURs complete)
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
- Acceptable WEST-B scores. This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at www.west.nesinc.com for more information.
- Completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
- Completed application
Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit the web site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide
Coursework
- ANTH 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 210 Introduction to Archaeology (5 cr)
- ANTH 215 Introductory Biological Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 496 Portfolio Assembly (1 cr)
- One course from:
- ANTH 481 Childhood and Culture (5 cr)
- ANTH 484 Cross-Cultural Education (5 cr)
- Electives under departmental advisement—select one course from each of the following groups:
- Cultural area courses:
- ANTH 361 - Native Peoples of North America (5 cr)
- ANTH 362 - Peoples of Asia (5 cr)
- ANTH 365 - Peoples of Latin America (5 cr)
- ANTH 460 - Culture and Society of Japan (4 cr)
- ANTH 462 - Native Peoples of the Northwest (5 cr)
- ANTH 463 - Peoples of East and Southeast Asia (5 cr)
- ANTH 465 - Peoples of Mexico and Central America (5 cr)
- ANTH 476 - Borderlands (5 cr)
- Topical cultural anthropology courses:
- ANTH 247 - Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 330 - Religion and Culture (5 cr)
- ANTH 351 - Family and Kinship Organization (5 cr)
- ANTH 352 - Cross-Cultural Study of Aging (4 cr)
- ANTH 353 - Sex and Gender in Culture (5 cr)
- ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 429 - Politics, Participation and the Critique of Power (3 cr)
- ANTH 453 - Women of the Global South (5 cr)
- ANTH 475 - Global Migration (5 cr)
- ANTH 480 - Applied Anthropology (5 cr)
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 381, 382
- SSC: ANTH 201, 210, 247
- ACGM: ANTH 362, 365
- BCGM: ANTH 353, 361
- LSCI: ANTH 215
Department
Contact
Anthropology Undergraduate Advisor:
James Loucky
AH 322, 360-650-3615
James.Loucky@wwu.edu
Anthropology Office:
AH 315, 360-650-3620
Elementary Education Professional Program Information
Miller Hall 300
(360) 650-3336
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/ELED/
Teacher Education Admissions
MH 150
360-650-3313
www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss
Elementary Education Professional Program Advisor and Program Manager:
Ellen Kreider
MH 301D
360-650-7948
Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu