Apr 16, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cultural Anthropology, B.A.


Offered by Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health .

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. These courses offer students training in anthropological theory and research methods, with opportunities to apply these in practice. Students have the opportunity to explore critical contemporary problems, globalization, urban life, family, gender, and health, to name just a few topic areas, through the lens of Anthropology. We also offer a three course sequence on physical and forensic anthropology. Cultural Anthropology majors complete their own independent research projects 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.

Major Requirements


  • 31 credits
  • Minimum grade of “C” in courses applied to the major

Course Requirements


Elective Requirements (18 credits)


Students also must complete eighteen additional credits of Anthropology or Sociology with a grade of “C” or better. Twelve of these eighteen credits must be in Anthropology. The remaining six credits may be in Anthropology or Sociology (thus, a maximum of six credits may be in Sociology). In addition, a minimum of twelve of these elective credits must be 300 level or above. SOCY 396  and courses that are P/F may not be counted toward this requirement.

Students also may wish to take courses in other departments that complement a four-field approach to Anthropology. While the Anthropology faculty encourages students to explore coursework outside of the department in archeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology, as well as cultural and area studies, these courses cannot be used as Anthropology electives.

The department’s Anthropology elective course offerings usually include