Anthropology Minor

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Anthropology, the broadest of the social science disciplines, is the study of human culture and social experience through space and time-from early hominid ancestors to post-industrial societies. The major consists of a four-field approach: cultural anthropology and the study of historic and contemporary societies (ethnography, ethnology and ethnohistory), archaeology and the study of material culture (prehistoric, historic and underwater archaeology), biological anthropology (biology, human evolution and culture), and linguistic anthropology (language and culture). Course offerings address topical areas that include applied anthropology, Chesapeake archaeology, ecological and economic anthropology, kinship and social organization, food, Tourism, and historic preservation. Many courses address issues of gender, ethnicity and globalization.

Affiliations with Historic St. Mary’s City and nearby Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum/Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory provide adjunct faculty and generate rich opportunities for majors to engage in internships, independent studies, St. Mary’s Projects and hands-on professional research, laboratory work and fieldwork. Several study tour and exchange programs offer exciting possibilities for study and research abroad.

A degree in anthropology prepares students for graduate work in the social sciences and professions and provides an excellent liberal arts foundation for a wide range of career options-working in educational institutions, museums, business, private industry or government.

Learning Outcomes

Anthropology minors will demonstrate expertise in one subfield of the discipline.
Anthropology minors will communicate in writing an integrated understanding of anthropological concepts, information, ethics and theory.
Anthropology minors will communicate in speech an integrated understanding of anthropological concepts, information, ethics and theory.
Anthropology minors will locate, evaluate, and apply information ethically.

Degree Requirements

Core Curriculum

Completion of Core Curriculum requirements.

Course Requirements

At least six courses in anthropology and a minimum of 22 credit hours:

Required Courses

ANTH 101 - Introduction to Anthropology Credit Hours: 4
ANTH 201 - Anthropology Toolkit Credit Hours: 4
OR
ANTH 202 - Archaeology Practicum Credit Hours: 4

Two Courses at the 200-level

ANTH 230 - Cultural Anthropology Credit Hours: 4
ANTH 243 - Biological Anthropology Credit Hours: 4
ANTH 250 - Language and Culture Credit Hours: 4
ANTH 281 - Archaeology and Prehistory Credit Hours: 4

Two Elective Courses

Any two elective anthropology courses at the 300 or 400 level

Grade Requirements

All courses presented for the minor must have a grade of at least C-.