Bachelor of Science in Anthropology

Admission Requirements

Satisfy the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.

Graduation Requirements

Major Requirements

Required Support Courses

Writing
Complete one of the following courses:3
WRTG A213
Writing and the Sciences
ENGL A414
Research Writing
Statistics
Complete one of the following courses:4
STAT A253
Applied Statistics for the Sciences
STAT A307
Probability and Statistics
Upper-Division Natural Sciences
Complete six upper-division credits in ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, LSIS or PHYS.6
Total Credits13

 Required Anthropology Courses

Core Anthropology Courses
Complete the following courses:
ANTH A202Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH A205Biological Anthropology4
ANTH A210Linguistic Anthropology3
ANTH A211Archaeology4
ANTH A410Anthropological Theory3
Ethnographic Courses
Complete the following course:
ANTH A390AArctic and Subarctic Cultures *3
Complete one of the following courses:3
ANTH A390B
World Cultures *
ANTH A390C
Comparative Culture Studies *
Methodology Courses
Complete six credits from at least two the following courses: **
ANTH A415
Applied Anthropology
ANTH A430
Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology
ANTH A431
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology
ANTH A458
Applied Ethics in Anthropology *
ANTH A480
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology *
ANTH A487
Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology
Topical/Theoretical Courses *
Complete six credits from at least two of the following courses: **6
ANTH A452
Culture and Human Biodiversity
ANTH A454
Culture and Ecology
ANTH A455
Culture and Health
ANTH A464
Culture and Globalization
ANTH A490A
Health, Ritual and Science *
ANTH A490B
Historical Engagements *
ANTH A490C
Belief and Identity *
ANTH A490D
Topics in the Contemporary North *
ANTH A490E
Culture, Environment, Place *
Anthropology Electives
Complete any additional 3 credits in anthropology.3
Total Credits32
*

Specific topical emphasis for this course varies by offering. See catalog course descriptions for details.

**

Other upper-division special topics courses (ANTH A490) or independent study courses (ANTH A397 or ANTH A497) may be petitioned to satisfy methodological or topical/theoretical course requirements, depending on course content.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Anthropology

The award of honors in anthropology recognizes outstanding achievement by undergraduate majors in the study of anthropology. To be eligible for departmental honors, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Be a declared anthropology major.
  2. Satisfy all of the requirements for a BA or BS in Anthropology.
  3. Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors.
  4. Earn a grade point average of 3.50 or above in courses specific to the anthropology major.
  5. Complete a senior thesis project (taken as ANTH A499), based on library, laboratory or field research resulting in a substantial, thesis-quality paper defended before the anthropology faculty. The course may be taken on a one-semester (3-credit) or two-semester (6-credit) basis.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Anthropology is the study of human diversity on a cross-cultural basis, aimed at achieving both scientific and humanistic understandings of the human condition. Anthropology is comprised of four subfields: sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and anthropological linguistics. The BA/BS degrees provide students with a solid general foundation in the discipline by emphasizing these four subfields in developing understanding of different cultures and peoples, especially those within Alaska and the Circumpolar North, as well as different anthropological methods and theories.

Students graduating with a B.A./B.S. in Anthropology will be able to:

  1. Describe current understandings about human behavior and language, cultural processes, the evolution of humans, biocultural diversity, and trajectories of cultural change.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical approaches in anthropology, their foundations, and the issues they are designed to address.
  3. Explain ethical practice in anthropological research and issues encountered in the discipline.
  4. Exhibit proficiency in documenting, evaluating, and communicating anthropological information, including perspectives relevant to Alaska and the Circumpolar North.
  5. Apply anthropological methods and techniques to research questions and practical problems.