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ANTHR-BA - Anthropology (BA)

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AnthropologyUndergraduate MatriculatedBA - Bachelor of Arts

Program Overview

The courses offered by the Department of Anthropology are designed to:

  • provide undergraduates with instruction in anthropology;

  • provide undergraduate majors in Anthropology with a program of work leading to the bachelor’s degree; 

  • and prepare graduate candidates for advanced degrees in Anthropology.

Anthropology is devoted to the study of human beings and human societies as they exist across time and space. It is distinct from other social sciences in that it gives central attention to the entire period of human history and the full range of human societies and cultures, including those in historically marginalized parts of the world. It is, therefore, especially attuned to questions of social, cultural, and biological diversity, to issues of power, identity, and inequality, and to understanding the dynamic processes of social, historical, ecological, and biological change over time.

The Department of Anthropology offers various approaches to the topics and area studies within the field, including archaeology, ecology, environmental anthropology, evolution, linguistics, medical anthropology, political economy, science and technology studies, and sociocultural anthropology. Methodologies for studying micro- and macro-social processes are taught through qualitative and quantitative approaches. The department provides students with excellent training in theory and methods to enable them to pursue graduate study in any of the above mentioned subfields of Anthropology.

In addition to gaining an excellent foundation for graduate research and study, students majoring in Anthropology can pursue careers in government, international business, international development agencies, education, law, mass media, nonprofit organizations, and public policy.

Minimum Units in the Program

65

Minimum University Units

180
Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1101201
  • The course should be completed with a minimum grade of B.

  • The course should be taken within a year of declaring the major or before the end of the junior year.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1096931
  • The course should be completed with a minimum grade of B.

  • The course should be taken within a year of declaring the major or before the end of the junior year.

Completion requirement

Students should complete a minimum of 20 units from the courses listed below within their chosen emphases; ten of these units must be numbered 100 or above. All courses must receive a grade of ‘C’ or higher. Departmental courses may fulfill the requirements for more than one emphasis. You will work with your faculty advisor to select emphasis courses related to a plan of study with a specific focus on a theoretical and/or geographical area.

Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:

Departmental courses outside of this list may be counted toward emphasis but will need faculty advisor approval. For non-departmental courses, faculty advisor approval is needed along with a petition to the Undergraduate Committee via the Undergraduate Exception Form found on the department website.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1100991
  • 2183541
  • 2074612
  • 2134371
  • 2023271
  • 2214791
OR

Departmental courses outside of this list may be counted toward emphasis but will need faculty advisor approval. For non-departmental courses, faculty advisor approval is needed along with a petition to the Undergraduate Committee via the Undergraduate Exception Form found on the department website.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2230481
  • 2264591
  • 2243681
OR

Departmental courses outside of this list may be counted toward emphasis but will need faculty advisor approval. For non-departmental courses, faculty advisor approval is needed along with a petition to the Undergraduate Committee via the undergraduate Exception Form found on the department website.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1101421
  • 2276381
  • 2215751
  • 2158481
OR

Undergraduates may also request an exception from the undergraduate committee for a self-designed emphasis in the Anthropology major by submitting the Undergraduate Course Exception Form found on the department website.

Completion requirement

The remainder of the 65 required units may be fulfilled with any Anthropology courses, or a combination of departmental Anthropology courses and up to successfully petitioned 15 units from related areas of study, overseas studies, and/or transfer units.

No more than 10 units of research coursework listed may be counted toward the major unless you are in the Honors program. If you are an Honors candidate, required research coursework beyond 10 units will apply toward degree progress.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2032811
    OR
    2110231
  • 1101231
  • 1101241
  • 1101251
  • 2009361
  • 1101271
  • 1095851
  • 1101291
Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1101201
  • Should be completed with a minimum B grade.

  • Should be taken within a year of declaring the major or before the end of the junior year.

Completion requirement
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:

Students who are not doing the Honors Program or Senior Paper:

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2274871
OR

Students who are doing the Honors Program or Senior Paper:

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1101241

To explore the option of completing a Senior Paper, please see the website for more details.

Completion requirement

The Honors Program in Anthropology provides eligible Anthropology majors with an opportunity to conduct original ethnographic, field, laboratory, or library-based research under the guidance of an Anthropology faculty member. As an honor’s candidate, you will have the opportunity to conduct real research and experience what it is like to write anthropological pieces. It will also help you develop and enhance your analytical and writing skills. 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Declared Anthropology Major 

  • 3.4 GPA in the Major and a 3.0 GPA in overall coursework. 

  • No more than one “Incomplete” may be listed on the transcript.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Deadline to apply via the form on the department website is typically the Friday of Week 1 of Spring quarter during Junior Year. If accepted to the Honors Program by the Undergraduate Committee in Junior Year, apply for Honors on Axess beginning of Winter Quarter of Senior Year.

  • Please note your major advisor does not necessarily have to be your honors thesis advisor. It is encouraged to connect with a faculty member who could serve as your honors thesis advisor and oversee your research. If you have any questions, please contact the Undergraduate SSO if you have questions.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Students interested in the Honors Program must consult the department website for timeline, course requirements, and paper guidelines including funding opportunities available for summer quarter research. In most cases, honors students apply for funding early in their junior year.

  • Students must also enroll in ANTHRO95B (Independent Study for Honors or Senior Paper Writing) in the final quarter of the undergraduate degree program and earn a grade of A- or better to graduate with honors.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2032811
    OR
    2110231
  • 1101231
  • 1101241
  • 2009361
  • 1101291
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1101251
  • 1101271