Major

Undergraduate training in the department of Anthropology is designed for students who seek the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree only.

Students may declare a major in Anthropology and earn the B.A. degree by following the requirements below. The B.A. degree program usually requires at least five quarters of enrollment. Students interested in majoring in Anthropology are encouraged to declare by the beginning of their junior year and to work closely with an adviser to develop a coherent program of study.

Requirements

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The B.A. in Anthropology requires a minimum of 65 units in the major, passed with an overall minimum grade of ‘C’, and no more than 15 units of approved courses from related areas of study, overseas studies, and/or transfer units.

In addition, no more than 10 units must be taken for a satisfactory/no credit grade (5 units in ANTHRO courses, and 5 units in related/transfer units). Further, no more than 10 units of directed reading-style coursework may be counted, unless in the Honors Program.

The Anthropology major requirements are divided into Theory, Methods, Emphasis, Elective, and Senior Capstone Courses. Students may also apply and pursue the Honors program in their junior year, if desired (see Honors page for more information).

A course may only be used once to fulfill a component, and may only be used to fulfill the requirements for one major.

Learning Outcomes

The department expects undergraduate majors in the degree program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program. Students are expected to demonstrate:

  1. Develop confidence and expertise in oral and written communication and persuasive argumentation
  2. Identify and engage analytical, conceptual, and real-world problems and make appropriate inferences
  3. Understand and critically evaluate core knowledge within Anthropology and allied disciplines
  4. Learn the methods and significance of ethnography as a research approach and method
  5. Appreciate the relevance of anthropological research to social, political, and economic debates

Courses

Theory Core Course

A minimum B grade is needed for the theory core course. Undergraduate majors can also fulfill the Writing in the Major course requirement for the B.A. in Anthropology by completing this course.

Undergrad majors should take this within a year of declaring the major or before the end of junior year.

ANTHRO 90B. Theory in Cultural and Social Anthropology

Methods Core Course

A minimum B grade is needed for the methods core course.

Undergrad majors should take this within a year of declaring the major or before the end of junior year.

ANTHRO 91. Method and Evidence in Anthropology

Emphasis Courses

Students should complete a minimum of 20 units in their chosen emphasis, of which 10 units must be numbered 100 or above. Department courses may fulfill the requirements for more than one emphasis; see Department Emphasis page for more details. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. 

  1. Culture and Society
  2. Environmental Anthropology
  3. Medical Anthropology
  4. Self-Designed Emphasis
Electives

The remainder of the 65 required units may be fulfilled with any elective Anthropology courses, or a combination of Anthropology courses and up to 15 units from outside courses (pending successful petition to the Undergraduate Committee). To petition for outside courses, please fill out the following form.

Capstone

To fulfill this capstone, you must complete 1 of these 2 courses: 

  1. ANTHRO 194. Anthropology Practicum
  2. ANTHRO 94. Postfield Research Seminar
Research Courses (optional)

Courses listed are recommended for students writing an honors research paper or senior paper in the major.

Note that no more than 10 units of research coursework may apply to the 65 units required/50 ANTHRO-specific units, unless you are in the Honors program where required research coursework beyond 10 units will apply toward the major.

  • ANTHRO92A - Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing Workshop  

    OR ANTHRO92B - Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing Workshop

  • ANTHRO93 - Prefield Research Seminar
  • ANTHRO94 - Postfield Research Seminar
  • ANTHRO95 - Research in Anthropology
  • ANTHRO95B - Independent Study for Honors or Senior Paper Writing
  • ANTHRO96 - Directed Individual Study
  • ANTHRO97 - Internship in Anthropology
  • ANTHRO199 - Senior and Master's Paper Writing Workshop
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