BA in Anthropology

 

students in a large anthropology lecture

 

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology learn about human origins and anatomy; approaches to gender, social class and race; and examine material culture and linguistic variation. They complete core classes and electives from across the departmental focus areas, in addition to fieldwork and lab research options. 

Compared with the BS in Biological Anthropology, the BA degree requires a greater number of 2000-3000 level anthropology courses as well as four semesters of foreign language studies. All students in the anthropology major complete a senior capstone project in the form of a theoretical seminar course, a graduate-level course or independent research in an anthropology faculty member’s lab.

Note: Students cannot double-major in anthropology and biological anthropology.

 

 

Course Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

The following curriculum requirements:

Prerequisite courses:
ANTH 1001Biological Anthropology
ANTH 1002Sociocultural Anthropology
ANTH 1003Archaeology
ANTH 1004Language in Culture and Society
Required courses in other areas:
Two-year proficiency in a single foreign language, as demonstrated by completion of four semesters of college-level language study or the equivalent
6–12 credits of coursework in related departments approved by the advisor. Recommended for sociocultural emphasis are courses in economics, history, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology; for archaeological emphasis, courses in American studies, art history, geography, geological sciences, and history; for emphasis in biological anthropology, courses in anatomy, biological sciences, chemistry, and physical geography; for emphasis in linguistic anthropology, courses in linguistics and in speech and hearing science. Courses in statistics are strongly recommended for all anthropology majors
Requirements for the major:
In addition to the four prerequisite courses, 24–36 credits in anthropology courses, including:
ANTH 2008Foundations of Anthropological Thought
At least one course from three of the following four categories:
Sociocultural anthropology (ANTH 2500s, 2700s, 3500s, and 3700s)
Linguistics (ANTH/LING 3600s)
Biological anthropology (ANTH 2400s and 3400s)
Archaeology (ANTH 2800s and 3800s)
An approved methods course in any category, including but not limited to the courses listed below. (Methods courses can be double-counted as courses in their subject categories.)
ANTH 3406Advanced Human Osteology
ANTH 3531Methods in Sociocultural Anthropology
ANTH 3602Ethnographic Analysis of Speech
ANTH 3832Paleoanthropological Field Program
ANTH 3833Field Research: New World
ANTH 3834Field Research: Old World
ANTH 3835Historical Archaeology Field Program
ANTH 3839Lab Research Methods in Archaeology
ANTH 6806Technology
In addition, a senior capstone experience is required; it may be met by taking ANTH 4008, ANTH 3995 (for 3 credits), or an approved 6000-level course. Qualified seniors may enroll in graduate-level courses with the permission of the instructor.