Major/Minor Requirements

Major Requirements (Beginning in Fall 2026)

The major in anthropology consists of 9 courses.

At-a-Glance Requirements

●    Foundations of Anthropology (4 courses)
ANTH 101 (Human Origins), ANTH 102 (Cultural Anthropology), ANTH 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), and ANTH 104 (Language and Human Experience)
●    Exploring Anthropology (3 courses)
Typically at the 200 level
●    Applying Anthropology (2 courses)
300- or 400-level courses taken within the department
●    Experiential Learning Component (ELC)
One approved experiential learning activity and a poster presentation

Anthropology Major Requirements in More Detail

1. Foundations of Anthropology Courses (4)
Majors must take all four Foundations of Anthropology courses: ANTH 101 (Human Origins), 102 (Cultural Anthropology), 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), and 104 (Language and Human Experience). These courses introduce students to the core concepts and methods that define the field of anthropology. There is no particular recommended sequence, but students should take the introductory course before taking 300- or 400-level courses in the same subfield.

2. Exploring Anthropology Courses (3)
Majors must take three Exploring Anthropology courses, generally at the 200-level. These courses allow students to examine specific themes, topics, or research areas within anthropology in more detail.

ANTH/REL 200 Explaining Religion
ANTH 208 Ancient Civilizations
ANTH 215 Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology
ANTH/DMF/EDUC 231 Critical Media Literacy
ANTH/GEOL 233 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
ANTH 242 Dealing with the Dead
ANTH 243 Medicines and Meanings
ANTH/EDUC 244 Childhood Across Cultures w/CBL
ANTH/AFS 251 Humans and Other Animals
ANTH/BIOL/ENVS 258 Ethnobotany
ANTH 270 Plagues and Peoples
ANTH/REL 281 American Religious Lives
ANTH 290 Human Skeleton
ANTH/EDUC 3080/ HIST 3180 Unpacking Museums w/CBL

3. Applying Anthropology Courses (2)
All majors must complete at least two 300- or 400-level Applying Anthropology courses. These courses allow students to build on the anthropological knowledge, theories, and methods they have learned about in lower-level courses, to delve deeply into a particular topic, and to further develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking, research, interpretation, and/or analysis. These courses must be taken within the department.

ANTH/EDUC/GNDR 314 Great (S)expectations
ANTH 320 Great Debates in Anthropology
ANTH/EDUC/GNDR 326 Sexuality Education
ANTH 340 Writing Culture
ANTH 331 Social Movements
ANTH 355 Social Life of Ancient Things
ANTH 365 Forensic Anthropology
ANTH/GNDR 4020 Anthropology of the Body
ANTH 4024 Paleoepidemiology
ANTH/EDUC 4028 Educational Ethnography w/CBL
ANTH/AFS 425 Environmental Conservation in Africa
ANTH 489, 490. SYE: Senior Projects
ANTH 498, 499. SYE: Honors in Anthropology

4. Experiential Learning Component
The Experiential Learning Component (ELC) provides students with an opportunity to gain experience which complements their Anthropology coursework. Majors must complete at least one of the following ELC options:

●    Study on an approved semester program abroad
●    Take an approved Community Based Learning (CBL) course
●    Carry out independent anthropological research (short-term, summer, or semester)
●    Attend an approved field school in archaeology, cultural anthropology, primatology, forensics, or any other field of anthropology
●    Complete an internship relevant to anthropology
●    Master another language (as demonstrated by study through the 200-level)

Majors should consult with their advisor about which option(s) will best contribute to their education in anthropology. For short-term or summer research projects, anthropological field schools, and internships, financial support is available on a competitive basis, and we will advise you about how to apply for these funds.

To complete the ELC, majors must give a formal poster presentation to the department reflecting on the anthropological value of their experience. For details, please see ELC Poster Presentation.

Prior to Fall 2026 Major Requirements

The major in anthropology consists of 11 courses, distributed as follows.

1. Core Courses (4)
The major core consists of Anthropology 101 (Human Origins), 102 (Cultural Anthropology), 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), and 104 (Language and Human Experience). There is no particular recommended sequence, but students should take the introductory course before taking 300-level or 400-level courses in the same subfield.

2. Electives (4)
Majors must take four additional courses at the 200-level, 300-level, or 400-level. No more than two electives may be taken outside the department.

3. Advanced Topics Course (1)
All majors must complete at least one 300-level Advanced Topics course. These courses allow students to build on the anthropological knowledge, theories, and methods they have learned about in lower-level courses, to delve deeply into a particular topic, and to further develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking, research, interpretation, and/or analysis.

4. Capstone Experience (1)
Senior majors must take at least one 400-level capstone seminar or complete an Independent Study project (489, 490) or Honors project (498, 499). Students should consult an Anthropology faculty member well in advance about the latter two options.

5. One additional Advanced Topics Course or Capstone Experience (1)

6. Experiential Co-requisite
The experiential learning co-requisite is intended to provide students with an opportunity to gain experience which complements their Anthropology coursework. Majors must complete at least one of the following experiential learning options:

To complete the co-requisite, majors must give a formal presentation to the department reflecting on the anthropological value of their experience. For details, please see Experiential Co-requisite Presentation.

Minor Requirements (Beginning in Fall 2026)

The minor in anthropology consists of 5 courses that must include:

●    At least two of the four Foundations courses: ANTH 101 (Human Origins), 102 (Cultural Anthropology), 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), or 104 (Language and Human Experience);
●    At least one Applying Anthropology course at the 300- or 400-level taken in the department;
●    Two additional anthropology courses at any level (e.g., Foundations, Exploring, or Applying).

Prior to Fall 2026 Minor Requirements

The minor in anthropology consists of seven courses that must include:

●    At least three of the four introductory courses: 101 (Human Origins), 102 (Cultural Anthropology), 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), or 104 (Language and Human Experience);
●    At least two electives at the 200-level or above, one of which may be taken outside the department;
●    At least two courses at the 300-level (Advanced Topics) or 400-level (capstone course or independent study), taken in the department.