A graduate minor in Anthropology usually consists of 12 units, but a few concentrations in anthropology require as many as 15 units (e.g., Medical Anthropology, SWLCS). It is recommended that nine units be taken in anthropology or courses that are cross-listed to anthropology. See information under subfield majors for certain required courses. Other courses may be added to the student’s program of studies at the discretion of the chair of the student’s minor committee. This requirement is automatically fulfilled for those students with minor foci in the Medical or Applied concentrations, for which course selections are relatively constrained.

    Students following a minor focus in Biological Anthropology must complete 14 units, including one of the foundations courses (ANTH 545A or 545B); plus three courses from at least two of the above groupings; plus either one additional course from the above groupings or the ANTH 695C “Anthropology Colloquium” (a minimum of two units).

    In addition, the School has formulated a third minor option: “areas of synthetic concentration” that crosscut anthropology’s subfields. Concentrations assist some students in building a regimen for training that, through focus on a particular set of issues, allows the student to span multiple subfields or disciplines. A concentration can be used to direct work within the major, or it can be used as a minor focus.

    At the Ph.D. level, concentrations may be part of the major, or they may be declared as a minor focus. So, for example, a student with a major focus in sociocultural anthropology has two options for integrating applied anthropology in their program of studies: (1) to follow a major focus in sociocultural anthropology and a minor focus in applied anthropology, or (2) to fold the applied anthropology concentration into the major and then choose another minor.

Synthetic Concentrations in Anthropology

    Anthropology faculty have outlined an integrated series of courses for the following synthetic concentrations:   Anthropology of History and Memory; Ecological and Environmental Anthropology; Medical Anthropology; Southwest Land, Culture and Society (SWLCS); Applied Anthropology. Synthetic concentrations are meant to help students focus their coursework in certain topical or thematic areas, and to help build a broader sense of intellectual community within anthropology. All concentrations can serve as minor foci for the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam, and each concentration is open to students with a major focus in any subfield. Required units (12-15) vary by concentration. Students are encouraged to follow a concentration if it fits their interests, but participation in concentrations is NOT required.

    The new concentration in The Archaeology of the Mediterranean World is an exception. This concentration is intended to be part of the major (rather than minor) focus, and entails a greater number of requirements than the synthetic concentrations listed above, including proficiency in a Classical language. As the title indicates, it is intended mainly for archaeology students.

Anthropology of History and Memory Concentration

Over the past two decades, anthropologists and historians have become increasingly aware of the complementary importance of one another’s theories, methods, and areas of inquiry.  Today there is broad consensus that ethnography has to be situated in its historical contexts.  There is also growing appreciation of the importance of anthropological histories of societies in the past.  Historical archaeology has expanded the purview of archaeology to include the study of the past through historical sources as well as through material culture.  Sociocultural anthropologists and historical archaeologists now carry out archival research and explore oral traditions as well as conduct ethnographic or archaeological fieldwork.  Historians apply the insights of ethnography and archaeology to their studies of the past.  All three areas of inquiry increasingly draw from the same critical theorists when asking their questions and shaping their narratives.

    Understanding how social memory mediates history-making is a vital part of these endeavors. How are representations of the past linked with the definition and institutionalization of national, ethnic, racial, religious, and gender identities?  To what extent is social memory a principal factor in the construction and contestation of power?  What are some of the social spaces, performances, artifacts, institutions and discursive genres central to memory making?

    The Anthropology of History and Memory concentration fosters cross-fertilization among anthropology’s subfields and between anthropology and other disciplines that take historical perspectives on social life. This concentration allows flexibility in curriculum development while simultaneously training students in essential methods and theories. The Anthropology, History and Memory concentration may be used as a minor focus for the purposes of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination, or it may be part of the major in one of the anthropology subfields at the Master’s or Ph.D. levels. This concentration can also serve as a minor for students outside the School of Anthropology.

    Requirements: All students in this concentration must take the two foundation courses listed below which are offered every other year in the Fall and Spring semesters.  

Foundation Courses:

• ANTH 696B, Cultural Anthropology: Anthropology and History (offered in Fall, even years)
• ANTH 696B, Cultural Anthropology: Social Memory (offered in Spring, odd years)
• (Note: these courses will be renumbered soon)

    In consultation with their advisor, each student designs an individualized suite of relevant courses totaling 12 units (counting the two cores). In so doing, the student and advisor make every effort to diversify the student’s curriculum to avoid excessive topical replication between their chosen major and minor foci. Courses may be formal courses or independent studies for which the student does directed readings under the guidance of a particular professor.  Two “tracks” are recognized within this concentration (though melding of the two is also encouraged): Historical Anthropology and Historical Archaeology.

    HIST 696K, Historiography, is strongly recommended as a methodology course for both tracks. Students can choose other appropriate History courses in consultation with their advisor. Back to top.

Ecological and Environmental Anthropology Concentration

    The relationships between human societies and their environments are among the oldest concerns in anthropology. As the human footprint on the Earth grows, the topic of human-environment interactions becomes an ever more urgent problem. Anthropology at the University of Arizona has historically been a leader in ecological and environmental anthropology, and many members of the current faculty have research interests in this topic. Students participating in this concentration are required to complete a core seminar, ANTH 611 (Ecological Anthropology) or ANTH 543 (Ecology and Complexity). This seminar integrates subfields within anthropology and forges strong links between anthropology and other disciplines concerned with human impacts on the environment, sustainability, conservation, and evolutionary ecology, among other issues. In consultation with their advisor, each student designs an individualized suite of relevant courses totaling 12 units. In so doing, the student, in consultation with their committee, must make every effort to create a diverse curriculum, avoiding excessive topical replication between their chosen major and minor. Back to top.

Medical Anthropology Concentration

The medical anthropology concentration is very rigorous and maintains very high standards. Medical anthropology seminars are popular and are designed to serve several different student populations.

The concentration requires 15 credit hours of training in medical anthropology composed of a) four graduate seminars (12 units) from an approved list of eight seminars routinely taught by faculty members in the medical anthropology concentration,  and b) a three-credit independent study wherein the student demonstrates competency by writing a research report based on primary or secondary research, a grant proposal deemed competitive for funding, or a publishable paper on which they are a sole author or co-author having contributed in a significant manner to data analysis and writing.
  
In addition, we also offer a postgraduate certificate program in medical anthropology. The certificate program was designed with four types of people in mind:

•     1) Anthropologists and other social scientists having a Master’s or Ph.D. degree from a University that does not offer rigorous training in medical anthropology.
•     2) Health scientists undertaking graduate training (in medicine, nursing, or public health, for example) who wish to gain competency in medical anthropology and who will benefit from having a professional certificate (beyond taking medical anthropology as a minor for their degree program).
•     3) Practicing social scientists and health professionals who wish to obtain medical anthropology training to further their career.
•     4) International scholars holding post-baccalaureate degrees who wish to obtain medical anthropology training not available in their home countries, and who have been funded to receive such training at the University of Arizona.

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Southwest Land, Culture & Society (SWLCS)

    The Southwest Land, Culture, and Society (SWLCS) Program (http://swst.web.arizona.edu/) offers a Ph.D. minor for students in anthropology and related disciplines. Students who choose to minor in this program are expected to adopt a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the American Southwest that integrates studies of land and society. The SWLCS concentration is intended to serve as a formalized node, interconnecting faculty and students within the university, while strengthening their linkages to external communities. By serving as a clearinghouse for Southwestern anthropological scholarship, the program expands opportunities for integrating students into research that best fits their aspirations and benefits from their skills. The program also provides a visible point of contact for constituencies outside the university seeking expertise and outreach in anthropologically-oriented Southwestern issues. Faculty participants can better meet these needs by involving students in active regional research and sponsoring direct involvement through internships.

    The SWLCS minor focus requires 12 units of coursework. All students participating in this concentration must enroll in the SWLCS core class, ANTH/ARL/LAS/GEO 518, Southwest Land and Society.  At least six units must be in anthropology and at least six other units should come from outside of the student’s major field, not including the 518 core class. A proposed program of study should be discussed with the student’s minor advisor. Courses used in the minor may be drawn from over 150 potentially relevant classes in departments and program across campus. Please see the Southwest Land, Culture and Society Program’s web page (http://swst.web.arizona.edu/) for a full list of courses in all departments that may be applied toward the minor. Anthropology courses that may be included in the student’s program of study include:

• ANTH/AIS 513                                  Ethnology of the Southwest
• ANTH/ARL/LAS/GEO 518              Southwest Land & Society
• ANTH 547                                        Anasazi Archaeology
• ANTH 552                                        Archaeology of the Southwest
• ANTH 642a & 642b                        Advanced Field Course in Archaeology
• ANTH 696a                                      Seminar in Archaeology (various topics)

Affiliated departments, centers, and programs include American Indian Studies, Arid Lands, Geography and Regional Development, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Latin American Studies and Southwest Center. Back to top.

Applied Anthropology Concentration

    The profession of anthropology has expanded rapidly beyond the walls of academic employment. In response to this development, the School of Anthropology offers training in applied anthropology through coursework and guided research opportunities in the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA) and the Arizona State Museum (ASM). Students participating in this concentration are given broad training in both academic and applied anthropology. At present, applied training focuses on sociocultural anthropology, and most research experience is gained through BARA; however, interest in applied training is growing in other anthropological subfields as well and all students are welcome to participate.

    A total of 12 units is required for this concentration. The applied anthropology concentration may be used as a minor for the purposes of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam. Alternatively, students may elect another minor and apply the requirements of the concentration toward their major. Courses in applied anthropology are taught by faculty members with research interests in problem-solving and policy-making. A student’s choice of courses is made in consultation with their advisor. Recommended specialized courses in applied sociocultural anthropology at present include ANTH 507 (Intellectual Foundations of Applied Anthropology), and ANTH 609 (Mixed Methods in Applied Anthropology). Decisions on which courses to take, and whether to use the applied anthropology concentration as a minor or part of the major, should be made in consultation with the student’s major advisor. Back to top.

Concentration in the Archaeology of the Mediterranean World

    This concentration is intended to prepare students specifically for research on the archaeology of the later prehistoric and Classical periods in the greater Mediterranean region. A large part of the curriculum follows that of the major focus in archaeology with some additional requirements highlighted below.

• 1)    Students are required to take ANTH 595XX (number to be announced), Special Topics in Mediterranean Archaeology.
• 2)    Students must demonstrate facility in at least one ancient Mediterranean language (e.g., Egyptian, Greek, or Latin). Minimally, they should show proficiency equivalent to the 400-level of coursework. The ancient language requirement can be met through coursework or examination.
• 3)    Students are required to take ANTH 556B, Old World Prehistory, Part II, to fulfill the requirement for a course in hunter-gatherer archaeology.
• 4)    At least one method and theory course must focus on Mediterranean topics.
• 5)    Elective coursework should be focused on classes related to Mediterranean history or archaeology, or that will prepare students for research projects in the region.

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Minoring in a Discipline Outside of Anthropology

    Students may also choose a Ph.D. minor from a discipline outside of the School of Anthropology; common choices include Geosciences, History, Latin American Studies, and Near Eastern Studies, among others.