Undergraduate Major
Where to begin?
A lot of people start with Anthro 2A or 2B, and sometimes 2C or 2D. They are big lecture classes and give an excellent overview of the main branches of anthropology.
But you can also begin with Anthro 30A or 30B. These are usually smaller (30-50 students), and give a taste of current research and methods in anthropology. The topic of these classes varies from year to year, too, and are often organized around a particular professor's current research project. For example, one year, 30A might be about money, markets, and cultural meaning; the next, it might be about science, technology and society; the next, it might be about war, terror and violence (all actual topics from the past five years).
Are you interested in a particular geographic area or world region? a particular set of religious practices and beliefs? a particular set of social and cultural problems? If so, you might want to explore the offerings in the upper division classes. There is no reason not to take an upper division class (unless there are pre-requisites listed in the Schedule of Classes, of course) as you explore the field of anthropology and consider majoring in it.
The formal requirements for the major are listed below.
Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree:
University Requirements
School Requirements
Departmental Requirements for the Major:
School requirements must be met and must include 12 courses (48 units) as specified below:
- Anthropology 2A.
- Anthropology 2B, 2C, or 2D.
- Anthropology 30A or 30B.
- Three topical courses (12 units) from Anthropology 120-159, 170-179.
- Two courses (eight units) on a geographical area, from Anthropology 160-169.
- Four additional elective courses (16 units) from Anthropology 30A, 30B, 40-179, 180A.
Students are strongly encouraged to take Anthropology 180A after they have had at least three courses beyond Anthropology 2A and 2B, 2C, or 2D. Students are also strongly encouraged to take both Anthropology 30A and 30B.
Study Abroad:
The faculty encourages Anthropology majors or minors to study abroad and experience a different culture while making progress toward degree objectives. The Center for International Education, which includes the Education Abroad Program (EAP) and the International Opportunities Program (IOP), assists students in taking advantage of many worldwide opportunities. For example, EAP offers excellent opportunities to study anthropology at many universities abroad and courses taken for departmental requirement C, D, and E would be excellent choices to take. Study abroad also can provide opportunities for cross-cultural experience, field research, and foreign language training. See the Center for International Education section of the Catalogue for additional information.
UROP and SURP:
Our undergraduate majors have also taken advantage of UROP and SURP to conduct independent research locally or abroad, often leading to honors' theses or presentations at conferences. See the UROP website for more information.
DEADLINES: Application to Graduate
12/2/11: Deadline to apply to graduate for Fall 2011 (December)
2/3/12: Deadline to apply to graduate for Winter and Spring 2012 (March or June)
2/3/12: Deadline to apply to graduate for Summer 2012 (September)
Resources:
- Change of Major Criteria
- Anthropology Degree Check Form
- School of Social Sciences Undergraduate Counseling Office
- Undergraduate Student Affairs (peer advising; course planning; change of major request; financial aid appeals; course substitutions; and information concerning honors, graduate and professional school, and career and internships)
- Social Sciences Academic Resource Center (scholarship information; public and community service opportunities; academic and professional support services; transfer students; certificate programs; and research opportunities)
- Research Opportunities
- Scholarship and Awards
- School of Social Sciences Student Resources
- Graduation Information
- Freshman Handbook
- Transfer Student Handbook
- Readmission to Social Sciences Policy
- Academic Honesty



