Degrees & Programs
ANTHROPOLOGY DEGREES
Overview
The Anthropology Department presents information and insights from the discipline of anthropology, addressing in particular the evolution of the human species and the nature and diversity of human cultures through time and throughout the world.
We offer two tracks in the major: the BA in Anthropology with thesis and the BA in Anthropology, non-thesis. If you expect to attend graduate school, the BA thesis degree is recommended. Most graduate programs require a second language and would like to see that you have experience in independent research design, data collection, and writing (demonstrated by the thesis). If on the other hand you simply enjoy Anthropology but expect to pursue a substantially different career path, the BA non-thesis degree is a good option. You need to decide in your junior year.
Consult frequently with your advisor: some courses are offered once a year, some once every other year, and some have prerequisites. Also, your capstone project requires advance planning. Visit the STUDENTS section of the Anthropology page for examples of past project.
How to build a major in Anthropology
Begin with the four introductory courses at the 200 level; they may be taken in any order. Next, explore contributions to knowledge in five elective regional and topical courses (300 and 400 level). These may be mixed in with the method and theory courses, but be sure to take ANTH 324 Anthropological Theory and ANTH 325 Ethnographic Methods no later than fall and winter of your junior year. During these two classes you will refine your selection of a capstone project: a three-part sequence for the BA thesis track or a field experience (study abroad or internship) for the BA/BS non-thesis track.
BA THESIS OPTION
- ANTH 213 Language and Culture (4)
- ANTH 214 Physical Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 215 Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 216 Cultural Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 324 Anthropological Theory (4)
- ANTH 325 Ethnographic Methods (4)
- ANTH 410 Research Design (4)
- ANTH 411 Fieldwork (4)
- ANTH 412 Senior Thesis (4)
Choose one additional methods course from the following: (4)
- ANTH 326 Ethnographic Writing (4)
- ANTH 350 Research Methods in Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 352 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 360 Museum Studies (4)
Choose one additional theory course from the following: (4)
- ANTH 311 Human Evolution (4)
- ANTH 480 History and Theory of Archaeology (4)
Choose five topical or regional courses in Anthropology from the following: (20)
- ANTH 310 World Prehistory (4)
- ANTH 313 North American Prehistory (4)
- ANTH 322 Forensic Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 326 Ethnographic Writing (4)
- ANTH 328 Forensic Osteology (4)
- ANTH 329 Archaeological Resources: Policies and Procedures (4)
- ANTH 330 Contemporary Chican@/Latin@ Culture (4)
- ANTH 332 Latin America (4)
- ANTH 333 Forensic DNA Analysis (4)
- ANTH 369 Evolution of Ethnographic Film (4)
- ANTH 370 Women Hold Up Half the Sky (4)
- ANTH 372 Social Constructions of Race (4)
- ANTH 373 Primate Comparative Evolution (4)
- ANTH 380 Africa (4)
- ANTH 381 African Film & Society (4)
- ANTH 384 Modernization (4)
- ANTH 386 Anthropology of Islam (4)
- ANTH 388 Transnational Migration (4)
- ANTH 392 Applied Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 395 Medical Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 396 Environmental Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 432 Human Rights (4)
- ANTH 441 Forensic Archaelogy and Taphonomy (4)
- ANTH 455 Evolution of the Human Diet (4)
- ANTH 461 Urban Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 463 The Social Roots of Health and Disease
- ANTH 476 Religion and Ritual (4)
- ANTH 482 Historical Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 494 Northwest Indian Cultures (4)
- ANTH 496 Indian America (4)
BA NON-THESIS OPTION
- ANTH 213 Language and Culture (4)
- ANTH 214 Physical Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 215 Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 216 Cultural Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 324 Anthropological Theory (4)
- ANTH 325 Ethnographic Methods (4)
- ANTH 413 Field Experience (4)
Choose one additional methods course: (4)
- ANTH 326 Ethnographic Writing (4)
- ANTH 350 Research Methods in Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 352 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 360 Museum Studies (4)
Choose one additional theory course: (4)
- ANTH 311 Human Evolution (4)
- ANTH 480 History and Theory of Archaeology (4)
Choose seven (7) topical or regional courses: (28)
- ANTH 310 World Prehistory (4)
- ANTH 313 North American Prehistory (4)
- ANTH 322 Forensic Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 326 Ethnographic Writing (4)
- ANTH 328 Forensic Osteology (4)
- ANTH 329 Archaelogical Resources: Policies and Procedures (4)
- ANTH 332 Latin America (4)
- ANTH 333 Forensic DNA Analysis (4)
- ANTH 369 Evolution of Ethnographic Film (4)
- ANTH 370 Women Hold Up Half the Sky (4)
- ANTH 372 Social Constructions of Race (4)
- ANTH 380 Africa (4)
- ANTH 381 African Film & Society (4)
- ANTH 384 Modernization (4)
- ANTH 386 Anthropology of Islam (4)
- ANTH 388 Transnational Migration (4)
- ANTH 392 Applied Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 395 Medical Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 396 Environmental Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 432 Human Rights (4)
- ANTH 441 Forensic Archaelogy and Taphonomy (4)
- ANTH 455 Evolution of the Human Diet (4)
- ANTH 461 Urban Anthropology (4)
- ANTH 476 Religion and Ritual (4)
- ANTH 482 Historical Archaeology (4)
- ANTH 494 Northwest Indian Cultures (4)
- ANTH 496 Indian America (4)
MINOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY
A 28-hour minor program to be planned with the help of an advisor. The anthropology minor may be designed to complement your major or to contrast with it. You might wish to strengthen an area of interest or explore new horizons. There are no set requirements except that a minimum of 12 credit hours of upper division (300 and 400 level) coursework is required. Consult any of your anthropology professors for suggestions.
