Anthropology Major
Why study anthropology at CMU?
Students in the anthropology program will study cultural and social anthropology, physical anthropology, and archeology, preparing them for a variety of careers in this dynamic field. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Fieldwork experiences and curriculum on societies throughout the world and research opportunities with experienced faculty
- Internship opportunities and study-abroad possibilities in more than 50 countries
- Professional development through on-campus organizations such as The Anthropology Club
- Small classes allowing for specific study and close interaction with instructors
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Anthropologists and archaeologists will experience average employment growth.
- Anthropologists and archaeologists will see the majority of their employment growth in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry.
- Anthropologists who are consultants often apply knowledge and methods to problems ranging from economic development issues to forensics. As construction projects increase, archaeologists will be needed to perform preliminary excavations in order to preserve historical sites and artifacts.
Career options
Graduates of the anthropology program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- College Professor
- Museum Administrator
- Museum Curator or Exhibit Designer
- Federal Parks or Agency Associate
- Forensic Specialist
- International Culture Specialist
- Historical Researcher
- Consultant
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Anthropology Major
Courses in anthropology are offered in three subfields:
A. Cultural and Social Anthropology: ANT 170, 200, 320, 321, 322, 324, 326, 365, 368, 370, 428, 451, 457, 459, 505, 506, 520, 590.
B. Physical Anthropology: ANT 171, 173, 244, 342, 347, 351, 356
C. Archaeology: ANT 174, 175, 240, 340, 344, 426, 500
( Total: 31 semester hours )
(7 hours)
Required Courses I
3
ANT 170 Cultural Anthropology
Comparative study of contemporary cultures, including methods and theories employed. The impact of globalization on cultural diversity. (University Program Group III-B)
3
ANT 171 Human Origins: Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Introduction to human and primate evolution, and the origin of human hereditary variations. University Program Group II-A.
1
ANT 173 Laboratory in Physical Anthropology
Laboratory practicum surveying the techniques and procedures by which evidence is developed and analyzed in studying human evolution, both fossil and on-going. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Prerequisite: ANT 171 or concurrent enrollment. (University Program Group II-A)
(3 hours)
Required Courses II
Select one of the following:
3
ANT 174 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology: From Stone Age to Civilization
The development of culture in Africa, Asia, and Europe to the rise of urban civilizations. How archaeological evidence is obtained, analyzed, dated, and interpreted.
3
ANT 175 Archaeology of the Americas
Archaeology of the Americas from the earliest peopling of the Western Hemisphere to the rise of civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. (University Program Group IV- B)
(3 hours)
Required Courses III
Select one of the following:
3
ANT 426 Method and Theory in Archaeology
Nature of archaeological evidence, methods of analysis, theories and problems in interpretation and explanation of the human past. This course given in alternate years in rotation with ANT 451. Prerequisite: ANT 174 or 175.
3
ANT 451 History of Anthropological Thought
Development of anthropological theory. Key persons, concepts, and schools of thought. This course given in alternate years in rotation with ANT 426. Prerequisites: ANT 170 and ANT 171.
Cultural and Social Anthropology
Select at least one of the following:
3
ANT 200 Education and Culture
Process of cultural learning from infancy through adolescence in non-Western societies and American minority groups. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
ANT 320 North American Indian Cultures
Diversity of North American Indian cultures, their experiences of colonization and culture change, and their contributions to American and global cultures. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
ANT 321 Cultures of Latin America
Indigenous, European, and African origins and contemporary diversity of cultures of Latin America. (University Program Group IV-B)
3
ANT 322 Cultures of Africa
Indigenous cultures of sub-Saharan Africa; their emergence, development, and contemporary diversity; impact of sociocultural change. (University Program Group IV-B)
3
ANT 324 Cultures of the South Pacific
Traditional cultures and recent social change in Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Human settlement of the islands, ecology, evolution of political systems, and effects of colonial economies are stressed. (University Program Group IV-B)
3
ANT 326 Chinese Societies
Culture and social life in prerevolutionary China and Taiwan and post-revolutionary (Communist) China. (University Program Group IV-B)
3
ANT 365 Current American Indian Issues
Current social, economic, political, and cultural issues affecting American Indians; social movements of resistance and change. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
ANT 368 Hispanic Cultures in the U.S.
Hispanic cultural diversity viewed in the context of the larger U.S. society, including Anglo and Latino analyses of contributions and the role of racism in defining this group. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
ANT 370/SOC 370 Global Environmental Issues
Social and cultural dimensions of global population issues, food and energy policies, destruction of indigenous lifeways, roles of multinational organizations, environmental racism, and environmental movements. Identical to SOC 370; credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
ANT 451 History of Anthropological Thought
Development of anthropological theory. Key persons, concepts, and schools of thought. This course given in alternate years in rotation with ANT 426. Prerequisites: ANT 170 and ANT 171.
3
ANT 457/SOC 457 Globalization and Society
Effects of the global economy on the division of labor, transnational migration, social inequality, ethnic identities, gender relations, and other aspects of social organization. Identical to SOC 457; credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221 or ANT 170.
3
ANT 459 Anthropology of Religion
Theories of the origins, nature, and functions of religion. Prerequisite: ANT 170 recommended.
3
ANT 506/SOC 506 Comparative Cultural Systems
Explores theories of cultural development, with particular emphasis on urban and post-industrial cultures. Students investigate cultures different from their own. Identical to SOC 506. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: introductory anthropology and/or sociology course.
3
ANT 520 Global Perspectives in Health and Illness
Transcultural variations in conceptions of health and healing, cultural practices that encourage or inhibit disease, and the effects of social institutions on health and illness. Prerequisites: 6 hours of cultural anthropology and/or sociology.
3
ANT 590/SOC 590/WST 590 Gender, Culture & Society
Analysis of gender roles in various cultures; theoretical approaches to explaining gender role variation. Identical to SOC 590 and WST 590. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (Not open to students who have completed ANT 490 or WST 490.) Prerequisites: 6 hours of anthropology and/or sociology and/or women's studies.
(3-12 hours)
Electives II
Physical Anthropology
Select at least one of the following:
4
ANT 342 Forensic Anthropology
Lectures and laboratory training in forensic identification and analysis of human skeletal remains for utilization by criminal justice authorities and missing persons bureaus. Prerequisites: ANT 171, 173 or BIO 110.
3
ANT 347 Human Evolution
Fossil evidence of human evolution and its analysis within a theoretical framework of ongoing evolutionary forces and basic phylogenetic principles. Prerequisite: ANT 171.
3
ANT 351 The Race Concept and Human Variation
Analysis and interpretation of human physical variation (genetic) to permit an examination of historical and modern evolutionary and "scientific" racism. Prerequisites: ANT 171 and BIO 101 recommended.
3
ANT 356 Primate Behavior
Applying principles of evolution to primate behavior with emphasis on effects of ecology on social relations and group organizations. Prerequisites: ANT 171 or BIO 101 recommended. (University Program Group IV-A)
(3-12 hours)
Electives III
Archaeology
Select at least one of the following:
( With the approval of the advisor: ANT 388, 465, 498, and 588 may be counted in any of the three groups according to course content; electives may include up to 6 hours in related disciplines. )
1-4
ANT 240 Archaeological Field and Laboratory Techniques
Practical instruction in field survey and excavation; description, classification, analysis, and documentation of materials in the laboratory. Prerequisites: ANT 174 or 175.
3
ANT 340 South American Archaeology
Archaeology of South America. Emphasis on the Central Andean region. Introduction to documentation and interpretation of cultural developments from earliest human occupations to European conquest. Prerequisite: ANT 175.
3
ANT 344 Michigan Archaeology
Michigan archaeology from the first peopling of the area to historic times. Changing adaptive patterns examined in the context of the Great Lakes region and North America generally. Prerequisite: ANT 175 recommended
3
ANT 426 Method and Theory in Archaeology
Nature of archaeological evidence, methods of analysis, theories and problems in interpretation and explanation of the human past. This course given in alternate years in rotation with ANT 451. Prerequisite: ANT 174 or 175.
3-6
ANT 500 Field School in Archaeology
Intensive practical experience in field survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis of resulting materials. Prerequisite: ANT 174 or ANT 175 or ANT 240.