Anthropology Major

Major Requirements

A major in anthropology consists of five required courses and five elective courses:

• One introductory course, either ANTH 101   or ANTH 111   (either of which is a prerequisite for all other anthropology courses except ANTH 112 , ANTH 115 , ANTH 240 , and ANTH 340 ). Students may not take both ANTH 101  and ANTH 111  for credit.
• One biological anthropology course: ANTH 112 , ANTH 115 , ANTH 240 , ANTH 340 , or ANTH 381  
• One research methods course, which should ideally be taken in the sophomore year or before the student studies away. Choices include ANTH 230 , ANTH 232 , ANTH 368 .
• One theory course, either ANTH 387   or ANTH 487 . Students may take both courses for credit.
• The senior seminar, ANTH 490 .
• Five elective anthropology courses chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor.

Additional requirements, recommendations, and limitations include:

• Study away: A student majoring in anthropology must complete one semester of study off-campus on either a domestic or international study program after successfully completing a course in research methods listed above or a similar course approved by the department. The off-campus program chosen by the student should have a substantial fieldwork-based component or the opportunity to engage in significant independent research. For this reason, the department does not recommend direct enrollment in foreign universities as a study away option.
• Limits on credits for off-campus courses: A student may, with the permission of the department chair, count up to two (2) anthropological / anthropology courses taken on an off-campus program towards the major.
• Ethnographic area course: Majors are strongly encouraged to take at least one.
• If a student cannot complete a required non-elective course successfully in two attempts, the student must petition the department chair for permission to attempt it a third time.
• If circumstances warrant, a student may petition the department to waive a requirement, provided an alternative acceptable to the department is proposed.