2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Anthropology, Cultural
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Faculty
Chair
J. Kevin Eckert
B.A., Ursinus College, 1969; M.A., Northwestern University, 1973; Ph.D., 1978
Professors
Marina Adler
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1981; M.A., 1984; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1990
Ilsa L. Lottes
B.S., Purdue University, 1965; M.S., 1967; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1986
Leslie A. Morgan
B.A., Miami University, 1971; M.A., University of Southern California, 1976; Ph.D., 1979
Robert L. Rubinstein
B.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1968; M.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1972; Ph.D., 1978
Mary E. Stuart
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1971; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1974; Sc.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1989
Associate Professors
Seth Messinger
B.A., University of Connecticut, 1990; M.A., New York University, 1996; Ph.D., Columbia University, 2003
John G. Schumacher
B.S., John Carroll University, 1986; M.A., Bowling Green State University, 1994; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1997; Ph.D., 2000
Assistant Professors
Bambi L. Chapin
B.A., University of Virginia, 1988; M.A., University of California, San Diego, 1998; Ph.D., 2003
Brandy Harris-Wallace
B.S., University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1998; M.A., 2001; M.S., Florida State University, Tallahassee, 2003; Ph.D., Florida State University, Tallahassee, 2006
Angelica P. Herrera
B.S., University of California, San Diego, 1998; M.P.H. University of Albany, New York, 2000; Dr.P.H. Loma Linda University, California, 2007.
Andrea L. Kalfoglou
B.A., University of Virginia, 1991; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1999
Christine A. Mair
B.A., University of Florida, 2005; M.S., North Carolina State University, 2007; Ph.D., 2011
Jamie L. Trevitt
B.A., Duke University, 2003; M.P.P., Georgetown University, 2006; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 2010
Associate Chair
Sarah Chard
B.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1991; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1995; Ph.D., 2001
Lecturer
Nicole M. Cousin-Gossett
B.S., Towson University, 1999; M.A., Temple University, 2001; Ph.D., 2010
Micah Trapp
B.A., Denison University, 2002; M.A., American University, 2007; Ph.D., American University, 2011
Courses in this program are listed under ANTH.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UMBC offers majors and minors in sociology and in cultural anthropology. Information on the anthropology major and minor is presented here. For information on the sociology major and minor, refer to Sociology in this catalog.
Anthropology is the worldwide comparative study of humankind present and past. The field traditionally divides into four subfields: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archeology, and linguistics. The Anthropology major at UMBC focuses on cultural anthropology, providing students with an understanding of the diversity of cultural worlds, human social organization and experience, and social research methods. Anthropology courses help students gain an understanding of the complexity of current events within the U.S. and internationally, and of the diversity of perspectives, values, and ideas across the globe. Course offerings examine topics ranging from anthropological theory and the positioning of knowledge and power, to the application of anthropology in urban social issues, health care, and public policy.
Career and Academic Paths
As anthropology majors, students gain knowledge, skills, and conceptual tools that prepare them for a wide range of careers, professional training programs, and graduate studies.
After graduation our majors have found employment in government, non-profit, and private sector settings. They are especially well-suited for positions that involve human interaction, problem solving, and communication, and where an understanding of multicultural issues is beneficial. This includes employment at social welfare, health-related, and program evaluation organizations, private marketing firms, and companies involved in international business.
An anthropology major also provides a strong foundation for those intending to pursue graduate studies and professional training in fields such as medicine, psychology, education, business, international studies, public policy, healthcare, and human services. Students who plan to engage in anthropology professionally generally continue to graduate school, entering M.A. and Ph.D. programs in anthropology around the country.
Academic Advising
When a student declares a major in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, a copy of the declaration is sent to the department. A staff member then assigns the student a faculty advisor. Students may change advisors if they wish by notifying the department office. The staff will make the necessary changes. Every major must meet with his or her advisor at least once each semester to discuss progress and future plans and to obtain electronic permission to register. Advisors have office hours posted outside their offices or can be contacted by email or by leaving a message in their mailboxes with a telephone number and times for them to return the telephone call. Prior to registration, advising information is posted in the department, next to PUP 256, directing students to sign up with their advisor. Staff do not make appointments for faculty members. A meeting to discuss registration must be held prior to a student’s assigned registration time in order to be able to register. We encourage students to meet with their advisors any time they have questions or problems or want to discuss major or career plans. When students apply for graduation, their advisor makes the final decision as to whether all requirements for the major or minor have been completed. If the advisor has permitted the student to modify the major in any way, such as by substituting courses or waiving requirements, the student should get a written and signed copy of the agreement. The advisor will be glad to discuss the general university requirements for graduation, but advisors have no authority to modify these requirements in any way. The Registrar’s Office monitors completion of general education and university requirements.
Double Major
The Sociology and Anthropology Department offers a double major in Sociology and Anthropology. Information about this double major can be obtained at the department office in room 252 of the Public Policy Building.
Honors Program
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a major with honors in anthropology. Information describing the requirements for the major with honors is available in the Student’s Guide, which can be found available in the department office in room 252 of the Public Policy Building. Students considering graduate school in anthropology are particularly encouraged to pursue this option.
M.A. and Accelerated B.A./M.A. Programs in Applied Sociology
The Master of Arts degree in Applied Sociology and the accelerated B.A./M.A. in Applied Sociology focus on the sociology of health, aging, and selected aspects of diversity. The accelerated B.A./M.A. permits undergraduates with any major to take up to 9 credits of graduate sociology courses in their senior year with the approval of the Graduate Program Director. These courses count for both the B.A. and the M.A. degrees. The student receives a B.A. degree after completing 120 credits and the graduate courses taken during the senior year reduce the number of courses required for the M.A. degree. The two programs are open to students in all majors and to fulltime and part-time students. All courses are offered at 4:30 or 7:10 pm one evening per week. Admission requirements are a GPA of 3.0 and completion of an undergraduate statistics course in any department in the past five years. A normal course load for full-time students is 9 credits a semester. Students interested in applying to the MA program should email Professor William Rothstein, Graduate Program Director, at rothstei@umbc.edu.
Evening and Part Time Options
The department offers various advanced courses in the evening every semester but does not offer an evening major. Students who are able to take some courses during the day can complete the degree on a part-time basis.
Student Organizations
Council of Majors
The Council of Majors sponsors the Anthropology Club, which is open to majors and non-majors. Club activities have included a brown-bag lunch film series and discussion, field trips to local museums and events, colloquium on the graduate school application process and internship opportunities, and potlucks that showcase food traditions from around the world.
Lambda Alpha
Lambda Alpha is the national collegiate honor society for Anthropology. To become a member, an undergraduate student must:
- Be an officially declared anthropology major
- Be a junior (60-89 total credits) or a senior (90 or more total credits)
- Have an overall UMBC GPA of 2.5 or better
- Have a GPA in all UMBC anthropology courses of 3.0 or better
- Have completed no less than twelve credits in Anthropology
Further details and applications are available from the department office (room 252 of the Public Policy Building). The induction ceremony is held in May each year.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The department has external grants and contracts on which undergraduates may work as research assistants. Such arrangements are made individually with faculty members.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsNon-DegreeCoursesAnthropology
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