The B.A. program in Anthropology is a four-field program that offers students many electives.

Program Requirements

Consult the University Bulletin for a complete description of program requirements.

• Prerequisite courses:
  • Biological Anthropology, Anth 1001
  • Sociocultural Anthropology, Anth 1002
  • Archaeology, Anth 1003
  • Language in Culture and Society, Anth 1004 (total: 13 hours)
• Two-year proficiency in French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or another approved language (total: usually 12-16 credit hours). Two years of study are required; the total number of credit hours varies with the language.
• Anthropology courses at the 2000-3000 level (24-36 hours) including:
  • Anth 2008, Foundations of Anthropological Thought. Enrollment in the sophomore or junior year is strongly encouraged.
  • Anthropology courses at the 2000-3000 level, including at least one course from three of the following four categories (at least 18 and up to 36 hours):
    1. Sociocultural anthropology (Anth 2501-2750, courses in the 3500s and 3700s)
    2. Linguistics (courses in the 2600s and 3600s)
    3. Biological anthropology (courses in the 3400s and 1005)
    4. Archaeology (courses in the 3800s).
  • Qualified juniors and seniors may enroll in 6000-level seminar courses with the permission of the instructor.
  • An approved methods course. Methods courses include but are not limited to Anth 3403-04, 3531, 3602, 3832-3835, 3839, and 6806, or 3-credit paleoanthropological or primate behavior field schools that include theory and method in their curriculum. Methods courses can be double-counted as courses in their subject categories.
  • In addition, a senior capstone experience is required; it may be met by one of the following (3 hours):
    1. Anth 4008, Seminar: Contemporary Anthropological Theory;
    2. An approved 6000-level seminar in an area of interest;
    3. Three hours of independent study (Anth 3995), with or without an honors thesis.
• Field Schools, Internships, and Research. Up to 6 hours of approved archaeological or ethnographic field school credit, internships, or independent research may be applied toward the major, and majors are encouraged to take such courses. For independent research and internships, register for Anth 3995. Consult the department for further information.
• Courses in related departments (6 to 12 hours) approved by the advisor. Recommended courses for emphasis in:
  1. Sociocultural — economics, history, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology
  2. Archaeological — American studies, art history, geography, geology, and history
  3. Biological — anatomy, chemistry, geology, physical geography, and biological sciences
  4. Linguistic — linguistics and speech, language and hearing sciences.

• Courses in statistics are strongly recommended for all Anthropology majors.

Special Honors in Anthropology

Students who meet the CCAS requirements for special honors are encouraged to undertake a thesis research project in their senior year. Such students should take 3 or more hours of Anth 3995 (Undergraduate Research).  For more information, click here.

Minor Programs in Anthropology

There are several minor programs that are anthropological in focus.  For complete descriptions, click here.

Undergraduate Advisors

View the advisors for our major and minor programs.

View the Anthropology Department office hours.