Anthropology
Students earning a B.S. in anthropology obtain a broad, anthropological perspective on the study of humankind. As part of the curriculum, students are expected to become familiar with and understand the interrelationships among the diverse aspects of our humanity – both present and past. These include the biological evolution of our species, the adaptive advantage of human symbolic capacities and technological abilities, and the development of culture from earliest recognizable traces through the emergence of complex civilizations. Historical concerns include investigations of the diversity of human languages, the relationship between language and world view, the ethnography of communicated practices, the cultural construction of the social and physical world, and the social and structural relationships that make sense out of people’s daily activities. These concepts are introduced and applied through course offerings in the four subfields of anthropology: social/cultural anthropology, archeology, evolutionary/biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students work closely with faculty to gain a well-grounded knowledge of anthropological theories and methods that allows them to pursue research in one or more subfields of study.
Anthropology is a diverse field that provides students with a solidly-grounded liberal arts education. At the same time it is a cornerstone for understanding issues of diversity in an increasingly global world. In order to gain the skills needed to pursue research, students will learn how to think critically, read in a discerning manner, formulate logical arguments, and write in a coherent fashion. The B.S. degree in Anthropology prepares students for graduate work in this discipline. Graduate degrees are typically required for professional participation in this field. In addition to professional employment as research scientists or college-level professors, anthropologists often find positions as consultants, teachers, museum curators, or as specialists in historic preservation. Equally, domestic and foreign assignments with international, federal, or state agencies and institutions, and jobs in private industry, are available. Anthropologists are also found in public service organizations, medical and public health programs, environmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and in positions that require community organizing abilities or ethnographic and social survey research skills.
While students are not required to apply for formal admission to anthropology program, students must obtain a grade of C- or better in all Anthropology courses in order to receive credit toward graduation. Anthropology majors must have completed the university foundation core courses (CORE SEMINAR, WRIT 101W, STAT 216) in order to enroll in 300- or 400-level courses. Students who enroll in anthropology courses without the required core or anthropology prerequisite(s) must obtain the permission of the instructor. Otherwise, those students will be required to withdraw from the course.
Academic advisors in anthropology work closely with each student to establish a viable educational plan. Ongoing interactions between students and advisors ensure that a student’s educational objectives are being met as she or he moves toward a degree.
Anthropology Minor (non teaching)
The Anthropology Minor is a non-teaching minor designed to encourage students from any discipline to explore the cross-cultural study of humankind in order to complement or supplement course work in their respective majors. The minor introduces students to the four subfields of anthropological study (evoluntionary/biological anthropology, social/cultural anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics); it also allows students within the minor the flexibility to select among a range of advanced courses in prehistory, ethnography, theory, and topical domains relative to their particular interests. The curriculum stresses critical thinking, awareness of culture-specific meanings and values, consideration of the potential sustainability of various cultural adaptations, student involvement in the learning process, and opportunities for research. For graduation, students must have a C- or higher in all required and elective courses in the minor.
Curriculum in Anthropology
| Freshman | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH 101--Anthropology and Human Experience | 3 | ||
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| SOC 101--SocialogicalInquiry | 3 | ||
| University Core Seminar | 3 | ||
| STAT 216--Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 15 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore | Credits | ||
| ANTH 201--Human Prehistory | 3 | ||
| ANTH 204--Culture & Society | 3 | ||
| PHIL 231--Introduction to Logic | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following three courses: | |||
| PHIL 325--State, Community & Individual | 3 | ||
| PHIL 362--Philosophy of Race | 3 | ||
| PHIL 368--Language and the World | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 18 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior | Credits | ||
| ANTH 303--Biological Anthropology | 3 | ||
| ANTH 326--Language & Culture | 3 | ||
| ANTH 350--Old World Prehistory | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following three courses: | |||
| PHIL 378--Philosophy of Science | 3 | ||
| HIST 431--Science, Technology, & Society | 3 | ||
| HIST 432--Modern Science | 3 | ||
| SOC 318--Research Methods | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following two courses: | |||
| ANTH 310--Native North America | 3 | ||
| ANTH 320--Archaeology of N Amer | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 12 | ||
| 31 | |||
| Senior | Credits | ||
| ANTH 422--Anthropological Theory | 3 | ||
| ANTH 425--Social Organization | 3 | ||
| SOC 303--Social Psychology | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following two courses: | |||
| SOC 302--Micro Appl in JS | 4 | ||
| SOC 427--Sociological Analysis | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 16 | ||
| 29 | |||
| ANTHROPOLOGY MINOR (NON-TEACHING) | Credits | ||
| ANTH 101--Anthropology and Human Experience | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| ANTH 201--Human Prehistory or | 3 | ||
| ANTH 221--Mysteries of the Past and | 3 | ||
| ANTH 225--Bones,Apes,and Ancestors | 3 | ||
| ANTH 204--Culture and Society | 3 | ||
| ANTH 303--Biological Anthropology | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following two courses: | |||
| ANTH 313--Descriptive Linguistics or | 3 | ||
| ANTH 326--Language and Culture or | 3 | ||
| complete at least the ML 219-220 series in | |||
| a language approved by your advisor | |||
| Take one of the following three courses: | |||
| ANTH 320--Archaeology of North America | 3 | ||
| ANTH 350--Old World Prehistory | 3 | ||
| ANTH 360--Peoples and Prehistory | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following three courses: | |||
| ANTH 336--Contemporary Pacific Societies | 3 | ||
| ANTH 370--Medical Anthropology | 3 | ||
| ANTH 405--Myth,Magic Religion | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following three courses: | |||
| ANTH 412--Contemporary Issues in Archaeology | 3 | ||
| ANTH 422--Anthropological Theory | 3 | ||
| ANTH 425--Social Organization | 3 | ||
The maximum number of Anthropology transfer credits that may be applied toward the minor is 9; additional transfer credits may be accepted as negotiated with your advisor.
For Anthropology majors, the maximum number of Anthropology transfer credits accepted is 18. Major requirements include nine additional Anthropology credits from 280, 288, 310/320, 313, 336, 340, 360, 370, 400, 405, 412, 435, 470, 480, 489 or 490.
For graduation in Anthropology students must have a grade of C- or higher in all Anthropology courses. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
