Academic Advising Resource Center
Anthropology
Why take courses in Anthropology?
A discipline founded on curiosity about the human condition, anthropology has evolved into a methodologically self-aware field that combines a questioning spirit with respect for holistic forms of knowledge. Our courses provide students with skills in data-literacy, cultural-literacy, and media-literacy that are crucial in a rapidly changing world.
What kinds of questions does Anthropology explore?
Anthropology is simply – and powerfully – the study of the human species past and present, and in all of our facets as social, biological, and language-using creatures.
- Cultural Anthropology: How do we affirm the importance of cultural difference while also recognizing that prejudice and discrimination is often rooted in culture?
- Linguistic Anthropology: How does language use reflect and affect social and cultural life across diverse settings?
- Medical Anthropology: Decenters biomedicine and engages diverse experiences and practices of illness, disability, health, well-being, and care.
- Physical Anthropology: Using a biocultural framework to investigate the origin of our species and the age-old question of what makes us human?
- Archaeology: What can material remains teach us about past cultures? What roles does tangible cultural heritage play today, and for whom?
What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Anthropology?
With a wide variety of topics covered in our department, many students are able to find a course that overlaps with their interests. We encourage students from any major to take our courses, which are flexible with multiple avenues of entry.
Taking Courses
Courses for non-majors or general interest
- Any of the Foundations courses (ANTH 101, 102, 103, or 104)
Getting started in the major
Students interested in the major should complete all four of the Foundations courses, and they may do so in any order. More advanced courses emphasize Theory (200-level), Methods (300-level), and Practice (400-level). The particular pattern of courses chosen for the major will vary, depending on the plans and interests of the students, and should be worked out in close consultation with the student’s major advisor. Many majors opt to study abroad for a semester, which is encouraged.
Advanced Placement Credit
The Anthropolgy program does not accept any AP/IB credits. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores.
Majoring in Anthropology
Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. Should student majors wish to specialize in a particular subfield of anthropology by meeting the Theory, Methods, and Practice requirements with classes in that subfield, they may do so. It is also possible that a major may wish to remain a generalist and continue to sample among different subfields in their selection of upper level courses.. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.
Sample Four-Year Plans
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | ANTH 101 | ANTH 102 ANTH 104 |
| Y2 | ANTH 103 | MUSY 100 |
| Y3 | Study Away | ANTH 3XX |
| Y4 | ANTH 4XX ANTH 2XX | ANTH 3XX |
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | ||
| Y2 | ANTH 103 | ANTH 101 ANTH 104 |
| Y3 | ANTH 102 ANTH 2XX | LING 304 |
| Y4 | ANTH 376 | ANTH 2XX ANTH 4XX |
Related Areas of Study
Africana Studies; Archaeological Studies; Art History; Biology; Classics; Comparative American Studies; East Asian Studies; Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies; Geosciences; Hispanic Studies; History; Jewish Studies; Law and Society; Languages; Latin American Studies; Linguistics; Musicology; Politics; Religion; Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies; Sociology
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Anthropology Major Requirements
Anthropology Department