College of Liberal Arts

Curriculum in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humankind over the entire world and throughout time. With such a broad approach, anthropologists study existing cultures and human behavior (cultural anthropology), traditions (folklore), prehistoric cultures and lifeways (archaeology), the biological makeup and evolution of humans (physical anthropology), and the origin and nature of language (linguistics). The study of anthropology promotes an understanding of humankind and provides an introduction to the variety inherent in our biological and cultural heritage. Through the comparative study of the many diverse prehistoric and modern cultures of the world, we have a means of reaching a clearer understanding of ourselves and other people.

Anthropology majors receive foundations in all four subfields of anthropology and in-depth training in one of these subfields. In addition, majors receive a broad yet rigorous liberal arts education. The curriculum leading to a degree in anthropology provides students with the background necessary to pursue graduate studies in anthropology, but is well-rounded and flexible enough to allow students to pursue graduate studies in other disciplines. Employment opportunities include careers in: teaching and research in college, university, museum and foundation settings; administration and research in local, state and federal governments (such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Institute of Health and others); foreign service with government agencies (such as the Agency for International Development, United Nations organizations and others); private archaeological research institutions; secondary schools that are adding anthropology to their curricula; and nontraditional opportunities emerging in business and management. Anthropology offers diverse career opportunities and is an expanding and dynamic field that is relevant to many fields of study.

Anthropology. 31 hours required; 12 hours must be in residence; 12 hours must be in upper-division courses. A grade of C or higher is required for a course to count in the major.

Minor Field of Study. All anthropology majors may select a minor field of study from departments or divisions within or outside the College of Liberal Arts or in a particular area of interest (as with interdisciplinary minors or career opportunity minors). The minor will consist of 15–18 hours of course work, no more than 9 of which may be at the lower-division level. No more than 6 hours from the minor may be used to fulfill other requirements. A grade of C or higher is required if a course is to count in the minor. A minor must be declared before the student has completed 75 credit hours. Interdisciplinary minors such as women’s studies, classical studies, religious studies, and business have specific requirements; students should consult the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts for details.

Other Departmental Requirements. PHIL 251, 307; ECON 202 or 203; GEOG 311 or 401; HIST 364, 420 or 421; POLS 300 or 349 or 350; or SOCI 206 or 230 (3); STAT 302, 303 or EPSY 435 (3); LING 209 (3); LING 307 or 311 highly recommended but not required.

College and University Requirements. Other courses may qualify for this category. Students should consult the approved lists of courses available in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts. The following list incorporates University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category. To promote the opportunity for anthropology majors to acquire a broad educational experience, anthropology students must satisfy their University requirements for humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the sciences with courses other than those offered by anthropology.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 hours of 300- or 400-level course work at Texas A&M University.

Anthropology Requirements
Credit
  
3   ANTH 202 Introduction to Archaeology
3   ANTH 210 Social and Cultural Anthropology
4   ANTH 225 Physical Anthropology
3   ANTH 410 Anthropological Theory
3   ANTH 415 Anthropological Writing
3   Anthropology elective (archaeology) 300- or 400-level
3   Anthropology elective (cultural) 300- or 400-level
3   Anthropology elective (physical) 300- or 400-level
6   Anthropology electives (at least two courses 300- or 400-level)
31
    
 
Minor Requirements
Credit
  
(15-18)   Not Required
 
Other Departmental Requirements
Credit
  
3   ECON 202 or 203; GEOG 311 or 401; HIST 364, 420 or 421; PHIL 251 or 307 (has a prerequisite); POLS 300 or 349 or 350; or SOCI 206 or 230
3   STAT 302, 303`
3   LING 209
9
    
 
College and University Requirements
Credit
  
3   ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric.
3   Communication: One course chosen from ENGL 203, 210, 241, 301 or 325; COMM 203 or 243.
6   Literature in English (6 hours): To be selected from ENGL 203 (unless 203 is used to satisfy the communication requirement), 212, 221, 222, 227, 228, 231, 232 or courses for which one of these listed courses is a prerequisite.
14   Foreign Language: Four-course sequence in French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Greek or Latin unless permission is received from the department head to substitute work in another language.
6   Mathematics: At least 3 hours must be in MATH (excluding 102, 103, 104, 130, 150, 165, 365, 366); 3 hours may be in logic.
8   Natural Sciences: Two courses with a corresponding laboratory. Choose 4 hours from BIOL 111; BIOL 101; BIOL 107 (prerequisite for ANTH 225); choose 4 hours from GEOL 101; GEOG 203/213; CHEM 101.
6   Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts: To be selected from the approved list of courses in such areas as architecture, classical studies, art history, English, French, German, history, humanities (religious studies), linguistics, music, Russian, speech communication, Spanish, theatre arts. Consult the approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog. No anthropology course will satisfy this requirement (take at least one upper-level course).
6   Social and Behavioral Sciences: To be selected from the approved list of courses in such areas as economics, geography, journalism, political science, psychology, speech communication and sociology. Consult the approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of the catalog. No anthropology course will satisfy this requirement (take at least one upper-level course).
6   Political Science: POLS 206 and 207.
6   U.S. History: Two courses in American history; no more than one course may be in Texas history.
(3)   International and Cultural Diversity: To be selected from approved list. This course may also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
*2   Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
23   Electives: Minimum of 5 hours if 18-hour minor; minimum of 8 hours if 15-hour minor; minimum of 23 hours if no minor. Anthropology courses may not be used as elective hours. (Take at least three courses upper level.)
129
  
total hours
     

* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.