Program Overview

Anthropology, BA

Introduction

Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, past and present. This study includes humankind’s physical development and creation of diverse lifestyles. The cross-cultural approach of Anthropology provides a framework for understanding all the diverse facets of what it means to be human.

The Anthropology Department provides training in four sub-disciplines: Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Physical Anthropology, and Anthropological Linguistics. Using ethnographic, ethnological, and ethnohistorical tools and information supplied by the four sub-disciplines, the Anthropologist studies cultures and the processes of human development comparatively.

Why Consider an Anthropology Major?

Do you find human diversity and various cultures fascinating? Do you like to approach subjects from multiple perspectives? Do you prefer a holistic style of learning? Do you want to know why as well as how? Are you fascinated by human diversity? Are you enthusiastic, intelligent, and open-minded? If so, you may wish to consider a major in Anthropology. Students earning a degree in Anthropology will be able to apply their learning to a variety of jobs locally and internationally in the global economy of today’s world.

Student Resources

• Department Website: Anthropology
• Department advising: See the program’s advising webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Anthropologist
  • International Studies
  • Law Enforcement
  • Ethnologist
  • Diplomacy
  • Museum Curator
  • Overseas Consultant
  • Linguist
  • Education
  • Researcher
  • Translator
  • Archaeologist
  • International Business
  • Politics
  • Governmental Advisor
  • Cultural Diversity Programs
  • Human Resources
  • Social Services
  • Archaeologist
  • Cultural Anthropologist
  • Anthropological Linguist
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Applied Health
  • Medical fields
  • Teaching
  • Nursing
  • Nutritionist
  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • International Nutrition
  • Biomedical research
  • Biomechanics
  • Medical Genetics Research
  • Kinesiology and Human Biology
  • Healthcare Fields
  • Forensic science
  • Museums (collections, education, and research)
  • Science Journalism
  • Science Communication
  • Zoos (collections and captive breeding)
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Biocultural Anthropologist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

To declare, a student must have completed the following requirements:

• ANTH 201 and ANTH 301 and either ANTH 210 or ANTH 215 or ANTH 247 (ANTH 247 may be substituted with LING 201, LING 204, or HNRS 217).

Advising Tips

Students are advised to declare their major early in their academic career. Anthropology advisors will provide information about the program, help develop a plan of study, and answer any questions.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (65 credits)

• ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 210 - Introduction to Archaeology (5 credits)
• ANTH 215 - Introductory Biological Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 247 - Intro to Linguistic Anthropology (5 credits) (LING 201 or LING 204 or HNRS 217 may be substituted)
• ANTH 301 - Anthropological Theory (5 credits)
• ANTH 303 - Qualitative Methods in Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (5 credits) or another basic statistics course under advisement
• ANTH 490 - Senior Seminar in Anthropology (5 credits) or other culminating project under advisement (e.g., internship or directed independent study)
• ANTH 496 - Portfolio Assembly (1 credit)
• Methods Component: At least one course from the following:
  • ANTH 347 - The Ethnography of Communication (5 credits)
  • ANTH 410 - Archaeological Analysis and Interpretation (5 credits)
  • ANTH 420 - Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 428 - Cultural Resource Management (4 credits)
  • ANTH 431 - Methods in Nutritional Research (5 credits)
  • ANTH 447 - Anthropological Semiotics (5 credits)
  • ANTH 454 - Collaborative and Community-Based Research (5 credits)
  • ANTH 455 - Doing Ethnography and Qualitative Research (5 credits)
  • ANTH 469 - Directed Internship (5-10 credits)
  • ANTH 470 - Museology Studies (3-5 credits)
  • ANTH 472 - Visual Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 479 - People of the Sea and Cedar Internship (1-6 credits)
  • ANTH 480 - Applied Anthropology (5 credits)
  • (where appropriate an internship, practicum, or archaeological methods course may be substituted under advisement)
• Topical Component: At least one course from the following:
  • ANTH 330 - Religion and Culture (5 credits)
  • ANTH 338 - Economic Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 350 - The Ecology of Human Variation (5 credits)
  • ANTH 353 - Sex and Gender in Culture (5 credits)
  • ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 440 - Science and Technology Studies (5 credits)
  • ANTH 453 - Women of the Global South (5 credits)
  • ANTH 481 - Childhood and Culture (5 credits)
• Culture Region Component: At least one course from the following:
  • ANTH 361 - Indigeneity and Colonialism (5 credits)
  • ANTH 362 - Anthropological Perspectives on Asia (5 credits)
  • ANTH 365 - Latin American Perspectives (5 credits)
  • ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest Studies (5 credits)
  • ANTH 463 - Critical Issues in East and Southeast Asia (5 credits)
  • ANTH 465 - Critical Issues in Mexico and Central America (5 credits)
  • ANTH 476 - Borderlands (5 credits)
• Electives in anthropology under departmental advisement. Student selection of a complementary minor under advisement is strongly recommended.
• Only one 100-level course will count toward major, minor, or archaeology concentration

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement