Anthropology

 

Faculty

M. A. Park, Chair; A. E. Adams, K. L. Feder, D. A. Kideckel, W. Perry, E. N. Phillips (Dept. phone: 860-832-2610, 2611, or 2966)

Department Overview

Anthropology means "the study of people." It assumes that generalizing about human life takes an integrated study of human biology and culture, past and present, and simple and complex lifeways. Anthropology is comprised of four sub-fields. Cultural anthropology describes and explains variation in human cultural and social types. Biological anthropology explains the physical nature and development of humankind. Archaeology considers past human life and how societies grow, change, and become extinct. Linguistics examines human communication processes.

The anthropology major at the University provides students with a broad social and behavioral science background and prepares the student for a range of careers, from public service to marketing and international management. The department also offers minors in cultural anthropology, archaeology, practicing anthropology, and biological anthropology. These programs give the student a holistic and cross-cultural perspective to complement most majors.

The Department of Anthropology has a number of special programs and resources. An annual summer archaeological field school provides experience in archaeological excavation and analysis. The microfiche and on-line human relations area files in the Burritt Library Serials department is an easy-to-use system for cross-cultural research. There is also an extensive collection of human skeletal materials and fossil casts for education in biological anthropology. Extensive internship opportunities and summer field schools in cultural anthropology are also available.

 

Programs

Major in Anthropology, BA (39 credits)

ANTH 150	Introduction to Archaeology	3
ANTH 160	Introduction to Biological Anthropology	3
ANTH 170	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 335	Theories of Human Evolution and Behavior	3
ANTH 340	Theories of Culture	3
ANTH 374	Field Research Methods	3
ANTH 375	Anthropological Data Analysis	3
ANTH 490	Senior Thesis	3

 

and 3 credits from the following:

ANTH 401	City Life and Culture	3
ANTH 416	Archaeology of Africa	3
ANTH 418	New England Prehistory	3
ANTH 420	African Diaspora Archaeology	3
ANTH 422	Native Americans	3
ANTH 424	Peoples and Cultures of Africa	3
ANTH 426	People and Cultures of Eastern Europe	3
ANTH 428	Cultures of Latin America	3

 

and one course from the following:

ANTH 433	Independent Study in Anthropology	1-3
ANTH 437	Internship in Anthropology	3
ANTH 451	Field School in Cultural Anthropology	3-6

 

and 9 credits from elective courses in anthropology, with all of the electives at the 300 level or higher. A minor is required for this major.

 

Minor in Anthropology (18 credits)

ANTH 140

Introduction to Anthropology

3

and 15 credits in anthropology. Individual programs will differ according to the particular needs of the student and must be developed jointly with the student's advisor.

 

Minor in Archaeology (24 credits)

ANTH 150	Introduction to Archaeology	3
ANTH 215	Before History	3
ANTH 324	Archaeology of the State	3
ANTH 450	Archaeological Field School	3-6

 

and 12 credits from the following:

ANTH 210	The Ancient World	3
ANTH 230	North American Prehistory	3
ANTH 322	Historical Archaeology	3
ANTH 323	Urban Archaeology	3
ANTH 329	Experimental Archaeology	3
ANTH 416	Archaeology of Africa	3
ANTH 418	New England Prehistory	3
ANTH 420	African Diaspora Archaeology	3

 

For students majoring in anthropology, 6 credits of this minor may be applied to the major.

 

Minor in Biological Anthropology (18 credits)

ANTH 160	Introduction to Biological Anthropology	3
ANTH 245	Laboratory in Biological Anthropology	3
ANTH 335	Theories of Human Evolution and Behavior	3
ANTH 365	The Anthropology of Human Differences	3
ANTH 425	Human Ecology	3
Minor-related elective		3

For students majoring in anthropology, 3 credits of this minor may be applied to the major.

 

Minor in Cross-Cultural Analysis (18 credits)

ANTH 170	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 200	Dimensions of Diversity and Inequality	3
ANTH 340	Theories of Culture	3

 

and 6 credits from the following:

ANTH 352	Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity	3
ANTH 422	Native Americans	3
ANTH 424	Peoples and Cultures of Africa	3
ANTH 426	People and Cultures of Eastern Europe	3
ANTH 428	Cultures of Latin America	3
ANTH 475	Topics in Anthropology	3

and, if devoted to a specific world area, one additional course approved by an advisor

 

For students also majoring in anthropology, 3 credits of this minor may be applied to the major.

 

Minor in Practicing Anthropology (18 credits)

ANTH 170	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 200	Dimensions of Diversity and Inequality	3
ANTH 270	Applying Anthropology	3
ANTH 374	Field Research Methods	3
ANTH 401	City Life and Culture	3
ANTH 437	Internship in Anthropology	3

For students majoring in anthropology, 3 credits of this minor may be applied to the major.

CLICK HERE FOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS