2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Anthropology, Cultural
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Anthropology Core Faculty:
Bambi Chapin, Associate Professor and Director
Sarah Chard, Associate Professor
J. Kevin Eckert, Professor
Robert Rubinstein, Professor
Department Faculty (Sociology, Anthropology, and Health Administration and Policy)
Chair
J. Kevin Eckert
B.A., Ursinus College, 1969; M.A., Northwestern University, 1973; Ph.D., Northwestern University 1978
Associate Chair
Sarah Chard
B.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1991; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1995; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, 2001
Professors
Marina Adler
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1981; M.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1984; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1990
J. Kevin Eckert
B.A., Ursinus College, 1969; M.A., Northwestern University, 1973; Ph.D., Northwestern University 1978
Leslie A. Morgan
B.A., Miami University, 1971; M.A., University of Southern California, 1976; Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1979
Robert L. Rubinstein
B.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1968; M.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1972; Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College, 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
Bambi L. Chapin
B.A., University of Virginia, 1988; M.A., University of California, San Diego, 1998; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 2003
Sarah Chard
B.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1991; M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1995; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, 2001
Andrea L. Kalfoglou
B.A., University of Virginia, 1991; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1999
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
Loren Henderson
B.A., Northwestern University, 2006; M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago, 2008; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2014
Christine A. Mair
B.A., University of Florida, 2005; M.S., North Carolina State University, 2007; Ph.D., North Carolina State University, 2011
Dena T. Smith
B.A., Goucher College 2003; MA Rutgers University 2006; PhD Rutgers University 2011
Jamie L. Trevitt
B.A., Duke University, 2003; M.P.P., Georgetown University, 2006; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 2010
Brandy H. 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
Research Faculty
Senior Research Scientist
Ann Christine Frankowski
B.A., Alfred University, 1965; M.A., Binghamton University, 1970; Ph.D., Indiana University, 1983
Senior Lecturer
Nicole M. Cousin-Gossett
B.S., Towson University, 1999; M.A., Temple University, 2001; Ph.D., Temple University, 2010
Lecturers
Katie K. Birger
B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University, 1994; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2013
Meryl Damasiewicz
B.S. Morgan State University, 1995; M.A. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1996
Courses in this program are listed under ANTH.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers undergraduate majors in Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, and Health Administration and Policy, as well as minors in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology. Information on the Cultural Anthropology major and minor are presented here. For information on Sociology and the Health Administration and Policy majors, refer to the corresponding sections in this catalog. For more detailed information, see the department’s website.
ANTHROPOLOGY is the worldwide comparative study of humankind, present and past. The subfield of Cultural Anthropology examines the relationship of culture, human meaning, and the social, political, and economic forces that affect our worlds. Our Cultural Anthropology major provides students with an understanding of cultural diversity, human social organization and social structure, and social research methods.
Anthropology courses help students gain an understanding of the complexity of current events within the U.S. and internationally. Course offerings examine topics ranging from anthropological theory and research methods to applied anthropology. Students have the opportunity to explore critical contemporary problems, globalization, urban life, family, gender, health, and technology, to name just a few topic areas, through the lens of Anthropology. We also offer a three course sequence on physical and forensic anthropology. Finally, Cultural Anthropology majors complete an independent research project as part of their capstone methods course.
Cultural Anthropology majors learn to gather and analyze complex material, communicate across difference, and recognize how cultural perspectives shape understandings of events and interactions. Upon graduation our majors are well prepared to obtain employment in our increasingly multicultural workforce, pursue graduate and professional training, and engage effectively in a complex world.
Career and Academic Paths
As Cultural 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 diverse 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
Students can declare Cultural Anthropology major by filling out the major declaration form, located on the Registrar’s website and returning it to the Registrar’s office. Once the student has declared Cultural Anthropology major, he/she will be assigned to a faculty advisor and will receive updates regarding the major via email. To determine who your faculty advisor is or for general questions on the Cultural Anthropology program, please contact the department main office, 410.455.3979.
Students requesting a change of Faculty Advisor, please contact the Department Academic Advisor, Debbie Sanford, at dsanford@umbc.edu for a faculty advisor assignment.
At any point in the semester students can email their advisor directly or arrange a meeting to discuss questions about the major or their academic plan.
Advanced Registration Advising
The Department and University send important email communication regarding advanced registration advising each semester. This includes the date/time at which students can begin registration and notifications of advanced registration appointments. It is important to read such correspondence as the instructions can directly impact your ability to register for classes.
Students must meet with their advisor each semester during advanced registration (October/November and March/April) to review their progress toward fulfilling major and university requirements. Students are not able to register for classes until the advisor authorizes the student to register. ANTH majors with another primary major are still strongly encouraged to meet each semester with their ANTH advisor. For further information regarding how to sign up for advising, see the department website.
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 website.
Honors Program
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a major with honors in Cultural Anthropology. Information describing the requirements for the major with honors is available on the department website. 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. All courses are offered at 4:30 or 7:10 pm one evening per week. For admission requirements and deadlines please consult the department website. A normal course load for full-time students is 9 credits a semester. Students interested in applying to the MA program should email John Schumacher, Graduate Program Director, at jschuma@umbc.edu or Faith Dinh, Program Management Specialist, fdinh1@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:
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Be an officially declared anthropology major
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Be a junior (60-89 total credits) or a senior (90 or more total credits)
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Have an overall UMBC GPA of 2.5 or better
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Have a GPA in all UMBC anthropology courses of 3.0 or better
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Have completed no less than twelve credits in Anthropology
Further details please consult the department website. The induction ceremony is held in May each year.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Undergraduate anthropology students are encouraged to practice and pursue original research through their course work and in independent and honors projects. In addition, 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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