Degree Information

Anthropology

General Description

Anthropologists are concerned with understanding the structure and functioning of social groups through minimally invasive participant observation and other “qualitative” techniques in their own communities, as well as in other countries. They follow a holistic approach that offers a humanistic understanding of society, and the way people solve their own problems. VIU’s program encourages the application of anthropological theory, knowledge and methods in areas such as “race” relations, cultural sensitivity training, archaeology, resource management, human rights facilitation, as well as the interaction of culture and the environment. Anthropologists are also concerned with the evolutionary biology of our species and the history of cultures around the world. Linguistic anthropologists study language and its role in cultural transmission.

The department of Anthropology offers undergraduate course work at three levels: 100 (introductory); 200 (second year); and 300-400 (advanced). The 300-400 level courses may be taken by either third or fourth year students. Students may take an upper-level course before completing all of their lower-level courses, however, no upper-level courses may be taken within a subfield (i.e., Social Anthropology, Archaeology, or Biological Anthropology) unless the 200-level course in the same subfield has been completed.

ANTH 211 serves to admit students to upper-level Social Anthropology courses. ANTH 213 is the prerequisite course for upper-level Archaeology courses. ANTH 214 admits students to upper-level Physical/Biological Anthropology courses. ANTH 490, 491 and 492 require that all third-year admission requirements be completed. ANTH 390 requires different 200-level prerequisites depending on the topic. ANTH 380 requires ANTH 111/112 as prerequisites.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: ANTH 111, 112, 211, 213, and 214. Students will be allowed to take advanced courses after they have completed these courses with a minimum “C” grade in each course, with the exceptions described above.

Years 3 and 4: A minimum of 30 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300 and above is required. It is recommended that students take courses beyond this minimum to broaden their education in Anthropology. Courses must be chosen from each of the following five categories:

1)    Ethnographic and Archaeological Research – 9 credits chosen from ANTH 304, 305, 307, 315, 326, 329, 332, 333, 334, 390, 418, or 419.

2)    Applied Theory – 9 credits chosen from ANTH 311, 312, 316, 336, 370, 380, 401, 415, 430, 493A, 493B, or 493C. A substitute of 3 credits for this group may be taken from the archaeology or the biological anthropology section below, if it has not already been used to satisfy the archaeology or biological anthropology requirement.

3)    Ethnographic Areas and Topics – 6 credits chosen from ANTH 305, 324, 325 (A-G), 328, 331, 334, 335, 367, 368 or 388.

4)    Archaeology – 3 credits chosen from ANTH 341B, 342, 343, 344, 352, 361, 380 (if 213 has been taken previously), 449, or 460.

5)    Biological Anthropology – 3 credits chosen from ANTH 350, 351, 430.

One advanced Global Studies course, GLST 390, 391, 490 or 491, may be substituted under category (1) or under category (3). A Senior Project (ANTH 491 and/or 492) for 3 or 6 credits is optional, but is recommended for students planning graduate work. The Senior Project courses, as well as ANTH 361, are upper-level electives that do not fit into the five categories above. ANTH 390 and 315 may be taken more than once if the topic is different and can be used as required courses in the above categories, where appropriate.

Extra credits may be taken from this same list or from other courses offered by the department. These other courses include ANTH 490, which is a directed studies course that allows students to follow their own interest, and the ANTH 491 and 492 Senior Project courses. Students planning to do graduate studies should plan to do at least one Senior Project course. Under special circumstances an advanced course from another department may be used to complete the 30 credits requirement. It must, however, fit student needs and help meet departmental requirements. Students planning to do this should talk with the Department Chair.

The core courses are rotated on a two-year cycle, so that students can always get the necessary courses during the third and fourth years. Where a choice is given between core courses, the others may also be taken as elective courses. An assortment of other courses will also be offered at the 300-400 level, and there will be enough of these to generate the 30 credits needed for a Major.

Students may satisfy degree requirements in Anthropology and another field and receive a double Major (e.g., a double Major in Anthropology and Liberal Studies). Students planning a double Major should consult with the Chairs in both departments.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: ANTH 111, 112, 211, 213, 214.

Years 3 and 4: Minimum of 18 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300 and above (not including ANTH 493A, 493B, or 493C).

Recommended Electives

Students should choose their electives in consultation with the Chair of the department of Anthropology. Students with interests in different subfields of Anthropology may wish to choose quite different electives. Social anthropologists may be interested in Sociology, biological anthropologists in Biology and archaeologists in Geology, for example.

Updated February 29, 2012