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Majors & Minors

Anthropology Major | Anthropology Minor

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in the anthropology department count toward the general distribution requirement in the social sciences except for ANTH 112, ANTH 115, ANTH 223, ANTH 240, ANTH 251, ANTH 340, ANTH 405, ANTH 604, ANTH 614, ANTH 624, and ANTH 634. Courses numbered ANTH 112, ANTH 115, ANTH 240 and ANTH 340 count toward the general distribution requirement in math/natural sciences. ANTH 223 and ANTH 251 and count toward the humanities general distribution. ANTH 405 counts toward the fine arts distribution. Consult the department chair for information on how specific topics courses may meet a general distribution requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and U.S identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The anthropology department participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.

Topics Courses

ANTH 194, ANTH 294, ANTH 394, ANTH 494 

Examination of selected topics of relevance to anthropology, such as Anthropology of Higher Education; Magic and Witchcraft Across Cultures; and Race as Caste: The U.S. and India in Comparative Perspective. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.  In general, these do not count towards fulfillment of the major. An exception may be made at the discretion of the department chair.

Anthropology Major

Major Requirements

A major in anthropology consists of five required courses and four elective courses:

Additional requirements, recommendations, and limitations include:

  • Study away: A student majoring in anthropology must complete one semester of study off-campus on either a domestic or international study program after successfully completing a course in research methods listed above or a similar course approved by the department. The off-campus program chosen by the student should have a substantial fieldwork-based component or the opportunity to engage in significant independent research. For this reason, the department does not recommend direct enrollment in foreign universities as a study away option.
  • Limits on credits for off-campus courses: A student may, with the permission of the department chair, count up to two (2) anthropological / anthropology courses taken on an off-campus program towards the major.
  • Ethnographic area course: Majors are strongly encouraged to take at least one.
  • If a student cannot complete a required non-elective course successfully in two attempts, the student must petition the department chair for permission to attempt it a third time.
  • If circumstances warrant, a student may petition the department to waive a requirement, provided an alternative acceptable to the department is proposed.

Anthropology Minor

Minor Requirements

A minor in anthropology consists of five courses chosen with the assistance of the student's departmental advisor. Minors are strongly encouraged to take either ANTH 101 or ANTH 111 and either ANTH 230 or ANTH 232 . Courses taken on study abroad or at other universities do not count towards the minor.