Anthropology Major
Major Description
The major in Anthropology enables students to investigate the complex and diverse cultures and societies developed throughout our interconnected world. Coursework in this major includes anthropological theories and research methods and the study of topics such as urban anthropology, globalization, media studies, consumer culture, art and performance, archaeology, social movements and activism, migration, development and humanitarianism, race, gender, and sexuality. Social justice and ethical concerns have always been central to the discipline of anthropology.
Students of anthropology draw meaningful interdisciplinary connections through an approach that involves strong observational and analytical skills, an open mind and willingness to challenge their own cultural assumptions, and a deep curiosity about how history and culture impact the most important and compelling contemporary social issues.
The Anthropology major provides excellent preparation for all kinds of careers that require an understanding of cultural differences in a transnational world, including education, journalism, law, art and media, medicine and public health, development, and social justice organizing, as well as graduate and professional studies.
Admission to the Major
If you plan to major in anthropology, you should take ANTH101, the department's required gateway course, during your first or second year. A minimum grade of B in ANTH101 is required for acceptance into the major. Students enrolled in ANTH101 during the spring of their sophomore year may declare the major if their midterm grade is a B or higher.
Major Requirements
Anthropology majors are required to earn a minimum of 10 anthropology credits, at least eight of which must be numbered 201 or higher. Students should work out their plans to fulfill the major requirements with their advisor by keeping their Major Certification Form up to date.
ANTH Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH101 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 1 |
| ANTH208 | Crafting Ethnography | 1 |
| Anthropological Theory Courses (ANTH295 series, choose two) | 2 | |
| Area of Concentration (4 courses required in 1 concentration area) | 4 | |
Difference, Inequality, and Social Justice | ||
Local Distinctions, Global Connections | ||
Producing, Consuming, and Performing Culture | ||
| ANTH Electives (1 FYS allowed and/or courses 201 or higher for a total of 2) | 2 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Total Hours | 10 | |
Anthropological Theory Courses
Majors must take any two core ANTH295 courses in anthropological theory, offered in the fall and spring.
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Course List Code Title Hours ANTH295A Theory in Anthropology: Anthropology and the Experience of Limits 1 ANTH295B Theory in Anthropology: Anthropology of Affect 1 ANTH295C Theory in Anthropology: Anthropology of Conspiracy 1 ANTH295D Theory in Anthropology: Anthropology and the Modern Media 1 ANTH295E Theory in Anthropology: Anthropology of Time 1
Anthropological Methods Course
The department recommends that students take ANTH208 in their sophomore or junior year.
Concentrations
Concentrations are flexible specializations that reflect your particular specialization within anthropology. Working with your major advisor, you decide on a coherent set of four courses as your concentration. We encourage you to include one course from outside anthropology. There are three standing concentrations:
- Difference, Inequality, and Social Justice
- Local Distinctions, Global Connections
- Producing, Consuming, and Performing Culture
You can also design your own concentration in consultation with your major advisor. Full descriptions of our concentrations are here.
Capstone Experience
The capstone may consist of a thesis, essay, or a senior seminar paper (see Honors/Capstone tab).
Student Learning Goals
Our overarching goal is to provide students with sophisticated ways of understanding both human unity and human difference. We want students to think critically about discourses that divide the world into fully modern western Selves and not-yet-modern non-western Others, but to do so without romanticizing cultural differences. We want them to appreciate how anthropological theory is constructed and used in understanding particular cases. Our approach is premised on complex global interconnectivity that interrogates boundary-making projects and explores the fabrication of national, cultural, and regional differences in a historical perspective. This means zooming in to understand how translocal ideologies and forces are negotiated in local settings, but also zooming out to link up localities and build a contingent picture of the interconnected world we inhabit.
Study Abroad
Majors are encouraged to take advantage of study abroad programs and, with the approval of their advisor via the Major Certification Form, students may count up to three of their study abroad courses for concentration or elective credit. Theory and methods courses may not be substituted. A grade of B or higher is required for study abroad courses to count toward the major. The Office of Study Abroad has information about specific programs, application procedures, major credit, etc.
Additional Information
Cross-listed courses: Various departments and programs offer cross-listed or other courses that can be counted toward the anthropology major. These include African American studies, American studies, archaeology, biology, classical studies, Earth and environmental sciences, history, religion, sociology, and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies. If outside courses are to be counted toward the anthropology major, your advisor must approve them using the Major Certification Form.
Double majors: Anthropology majors have combined anthropology with a range of other majors, including Science in Society; feminist, gender, and sexuality studies; American studies; environmental studies; English; dance; music; African American studies; film; and both art history and art studio; as well as the certificates in writing and in social, cultural, and critical theory. All the requirements for the two majors must be met, except when faculty representatives of the two departments approve alterations in your program. We generally expect students writing a thesis for honors in both majors to enroll in ANTH400 in their fall semester and enroll in a tutorial in the other department or program in their spring semester. Please consult with the department chair and/or a department advisor.
Honors
Only theses are eligible for honors or high honors. A minimum grade of B+ in either ANTH295A, ANTH295B, ANTH295C, ANTH295D, or ANTH295E is required for the pursuit of honors.
Capstone Experience
Senior majors are required to complete a thesis, essay, or a senior seminar paper as their capstone experience.
Theses. Only theses are eligible for departmental honors. A thesis is an independent, two-semester (or more) research project. In the fall semester of their senior year, students writing a thesis should enroll in ANTH400, a research and writing seminar in which students pursue individual research projects in a group context. In the spring semester of their senior year, thesis candidates should enroll in an individual thesis tutorial (ANTH410). It is strongly recommended that students contemplating a thesis either enroll in an individual tutorial (ANTH402) in the spring semester of their junior year, in which they would begin library research on their area of interest, or else take a course that is relevant to their research concerns.
Essay. An essay is also a serious research commitment: It is an independent, one-semester (or more) research project. In the fall semester of their senior year, essay writers should enroll in ANTH400. They will complete a draft of their essay in the fall semester and submit a final version by the first day of the spring semester.
Seminar papers. Students who select this option should take a 300-level course (or an advisor-approved 200-level course) that involves a substantial research paper in their senior year. The course will ordinarily (but not necessarily) be one that facilitates advanced work in the student’s area of concentration. The course must be designated and approved by the major advisor in the student's Major Certification Form prior to spring break of their senior year.
Students wishing to write a thesis must submit a proposal to the department. Students wishing to write a thesis or essay involving field work with human subjects must complete the Ethics Questionnaire. Both are due the Friday before spring break of their junior year.
- more on Thesis Proposals
- more on Ethics Questionnaires
- more on the Goffe Wesleyan Summer Experience Grant (to support summer field work in anthropology)
- Check out previous anthropology thesis projects on WesScholar here!