Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Anthropology, B.A.


About the Anthropology Bachelor’s Program


The anthropology program reflects the broad scope of the discipline, including the three subfields of archaeology, ethnology, and biological anthropology. International and/or regional field schools in all three areas are highlights of the curriculum, and well-equipped laboratory facilities support faculty and student research in all three subfields.

A student majoring in anthropology must complete 34 semester hours in anthropology, including 10 hours of introductory-level coursework, 3 hours of theory, 9 hours of foundational courses, and 12 hours of electives. The introductory courses include ANTH 2100 , ANTH 2300 , ANTH 2301 , and ANTH 2302 . All majors are required to take ANTH 3316  as the theory course. Students are also required to take a foundational course in each subfield: ANTH 3311  (human variation) or ANTH 3310  (human evolution); ANTH 3339  (ethnology); and ANTH 3380  (archaeology). The remaining 12 hours are upper-division elective courses within the program. A maximum of 9 hours of transfer credit may be accepted for the major. With prior departmental approval, 3 advanced hours in a related discipline may be counted toward the major. Anthropology majors must make a grade of C or better in each ANTH course. Up to 6 hours of individual studies and 6 hours of field courses may be credited to the major.

Forensic Anthropology Concentration. The department offers a concentration in forensic anthropology for students seeking the notation “Forensic Anthropology Concentration” on their transcripts. The concentration requires five 3-hour courses (15 hours) with a grade of C or better from the two following groups:

The anthropology major with a concentration in forensic anthropology requires a total of at least 34 hours of anthropology courses. Students must receive a grade of C or better in each course that counts toward the forensic anthropology concentration. The minimum prerequisites recommended for all advanced courses are ANTH 2100  and ANTH 2300  or consent of instructor. ANTH 3314  is a prerequisite for ANTH 4343 .

Communication Literacy Requirement. Communication literacy in anthropology focuses on three forms of communication: written, visual, and oral. The required theory course and two of the foundational courses each deliver instruction and training pertaining to one of these forms of communication. These pairings are based, in part, on differences between the subfields. For example, visual communication in the form of poster presentations is more common in biological anthropology than ethnology. Therefore, ANTH 3310  or ANTH 3311  provide students with training in effective visual communication. The theory course, ANTH 3316 , focuses on written communication. Oral communication is emphasized in ANTH 3380 . There is not a set order in which students must complete these courses. However, students must complete the necessary introductory-level coursework before enrolling in the foundational courses.

Recommended Sample Curriculum


First Year


Fall

Total: 16

Spring

Total: 16

Second Year


Fall

Total: 16

Spring

Total: 16

Third Year


Fall

Total: 15

Spring

Total: 15

Fourth Year


Fall

Total: 12

Spring

  • Elective 2 Semester Credit Hours
  • Minor 6 Semester Credit Hours
  • Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • ENGL Literature 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Total: 14

Total Hours: 120


* Select from Arts and Sciences General Degree Requirements . At least 6 hours must be upper-division (3000 or 4000 level).

ANTH 2306  satisfies Language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement.
ANTH 2302  fulfills the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Multicultural requirements.

Foreign Language

A student must complete 6 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language. The prerequisite for all sophomore language courses is credit for the freshman level. This credit can be determined through credit by examination. The score attained on the exam will determine whether the student is placed in a second-year course, a 5-hour review course, or in some cases the first or second semester of a beginning (first-year) language course. See Arts & Sciences General Degree Requirements  for further explanation.

ANTH Elective 3000/4000 Level

Anthropology majors are required to take 12 hours of upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) ANTH electives.