ANTHR-BA - Anthropology (BA)
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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 abovementioned 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.
Preparing for the Major
Undergraduate training in the Department of Anthropology is only designed for students who seek a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students may declare a major in Anthropology and earn a BA degree by completing the requirements below. The Anthropology BA degree program usually requires at least five quarters of enrollment. Eligible students may also pursue a Bachelor of Arts with Honors.
Students interested in majoring in Anthropology should apply in Axess for the major by the time junior status is achieved at 85 units. Students are encouraged to work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a coherent study plan.
To declare a major in Anthropology:
Meet with the department’s undergraduate student services officer to prepare the Major Form and to request a faculty advisor assignment.
Apply in Axess for the BA in Anthropology.
Meet with the assigned faculty advisor to approve the department Major Form and submit the required forms to the undergraduate student services officer.
Advising
Advising is an essential component of the Anthropology major. Students will get assigned a major advisor and are encouraged to work closely with them. Advising milestones for the major include the following:
In the quarter in which the major is declared, students meet with their assigned major advisor, create a rigorous plan of study based on topical breadth, obtain major advisor approval of an Anthropology emphasis as part of the plan of study, and obtain the major advisor’s signature on the Major Form.
Undergraduate Anthropology majors should plan to meet with their major advisor at least once each quarter before the final study list deadline. The faculty advisor must approve any revisions to the initial checklist.
Undergraduate Anthropology majors must submit an updated and approved Major Form to the undergraduate student services officer in the quarter before graduating.
Please note your major advisor is not necessarily your honors thesis advisor. You will need to cultivate a relationship for the latter, and enlist a relevant honors thesis advisor who will oversee your research. Please contact the Undergraduate SSO if you have questions.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
65 units required of which 50 units must be Department of Anthropology courses passed with an overall minimum grade of ‘C’ or higher.
A faculty advisor appointed in the department. The Undergraduate Committee will assign a faculty advisor based on the student’s chosen emphasis. Undergraduate Anthropology (ANTHRO) majors should plan to meet with their faculty advisor at least once each quarter.
At least five quarters of enrollment in the major. Each candidate for the BA in Anthropology should declare a major by the first day of the second quarter of the third year of study.
Required Courses [10 Units]: Must receive a grade of 'B' or higher and take within a year of declaring Major.
METHOD REQUIREMENT | ANTHRO 91: Method and Evidence in Anthropology
THEORY REQUIREMENT | ANTHRO 90B: Theory of Cultural and Social Anthropology (WIM course)
Emphasis Coursework [20 Units]: Must receive a grade of ‘C’ or higher. At least 10 units should be taken at 100 level or higher.
Choose one of the following emphases below:Cultural and Social Anthropology
Environmental Anthropology
Medical Anthropology
Self-Designed Emphasis (with faculty advisor and undergraduate committee approval by submitting Undergraduate Course Exception form.)
You will work with a faculty advisor to select emphasis courses related to a plan of study with a specific focus on a theoretical and/or geographical area.
Additional Anthropology Coursework [32 Units]:
Can include courses from other emphases with approval from your faculty Advisor in the Major.
No more than 10 units of research coursework** may be counted toward the major.
If you are an Honors Candidate, required research coursework beyond 10 units will apply toward degree progress
Senior Capstone [3 Units]: Anthro 194: Anthropology Practicum provides meaningful applied engagement with contemporary societal issues through practical application of anthropological theories, concepts, and methods. It is an opportunity for students to synthesize prior coursework, term papers, and study abroad experiences into professionally oriented outputs, including op-eds, issue briefs, policy papers, and journalistic pieces. These writing assignments are complemented by workshops and guest sessions featuring anthropology alumni working across a range of professional sectors. This practicum provides students with a platform to apply anthropological knowledge to real-world challenges while also gaining exposure to diverse career trajectories available to anthropology graduates.
Anthropology Milestone Requirement [Does not count toward 65 units unless an exception is made]: Competence in a foreign language beyond the first-year level. Such competence is usually demonstrated by completing a 5-unit course at the second-year level with a grade of ‘B-’ or better. Students must turn in the Foreign Language Form to the Undergraduate SSO to fulfill this requirement. The requirement may also be met by special examination administered through the Language Center, or demonstration of superior placement score. Please provide documentation from the Language Center if examined there.
Course selections may vary depending on the student’s chosen emphasis. The number of units needed to satisfy the Anthropology major requirements may also vary depending on the student’s current undergraduate status and units accomplished before the Anthropology major’s declaration.
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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.
The course fulfills the ANTHRO undergraduate major theory course requirement for all emphases.
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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.
The course fulfills the ANTHRO undergraduate major theory course requirement for all emphases.
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.
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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.
Students must enroll in this course in their senior year.
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This course fulfills the ANTHRO undergraduate major capstone course requirement for all emphases.
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 is April 10 during Junior Year.
Honors Program Application and all required supplemental documents must be submitted to the Student Services Officer by 11:59pm.
Apply for Honors on Axess beginning of Winter Quarter of Senior Year.
Please note your major advisor is not necessarily your honors thesis advisor. You will need to cultivate a relationship for the latter, and enlist a relevant honors thesis advisor who will oversee your research. Please contact the Undergraduate SSO if you have questions.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST
Proposal 2-4 pages double-spaced
Detailed Itinerary and Budget
Bibliography
Transcript
Letter of Recommendation from Honors Advisor (sent separately to the Undergraduate Student Services Officer)
Students interested in the honors program are encouraged to apply for summer quarter research funding through the Department of Anthropology, VPUE Undergraduate Research Student Grants, and area studies centers. In most cases, honors students apply for such funding early in their junior year.
Students must have enrolled in course (Autumn quarter) or course (Winter quarter), Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing Workshop, before applying for the Honors Program. Students must also enroll in course (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. Students must submit a penultimate draft of their honors thesis to the honors advisor (first reader) and second reader by May 16th. The Honors advisor and the second reader must review and approve the final draft submission to confirm satisfactory completion of the honors paper and approved honors status. A final copy of the honors paper must be submitted to the undergraduate student services officer no later than the last day of classes by June 4th. If ineligible for honors status, students must withdraw their request to graduate with honors via Axess. For more information, see the undergraduate student services officer.
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OR 2110231 - 1101231
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