Course Requirements
Undergraduate Major: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
The following are links to the U of A's Academic Catalog and have details regarding the courses that are required for the Anthropology major. Each student has a particular catalog, (usually the year that you enter the U of A). Your catalog year determines your graduation requirements.
Curriculum Guides
You can use the following curriculum guide to keep track of your academic progress. Please note that students are responsible for the general education requirements as well as the major and minor.
Writing Emphasis Courses
The University of Arizona requires that writing skills of all undergraduate students be assessed at mid-career. Additionally, the Department of Anthropology requires that all undergraduate students complete at least one upper division Writing Emphasis course in Anthropology and pass it with a grade of "A" or "B". The Undergraduate Advising Office has current information about this requirement and opportunities for improving writing skills.
Writing Emphasis Courses for Anthropology Majors
- Anthropology 303 Gender and Language
- Anthropology 305 Cultural Change
- Anthropology 307 Ecological Anthropology
- Anthropology 308 Family, Household and Society
- Anthropology 311 Urban Adaptation of Ethnic Groups
- Anthropology 313 Anthropology and Public Policy
- Anthropology 315 World Ethnography
- Anthropology 316 Political Economy of Language
- Anthropology 329 Cultures and Societies of Africa
- Anthropology 335 Archaeological Interpretation
- Anthropology 364 Natural History of Our Closest Relatives
- Anthropology 368 Methods in Biological Anthropology
- Anthropology 374 Processes of Cultural Change
- Anthropology 406 Gender and Social Identity
- Anthropology 409 Economic Anthropology
- Anthropology 411 Anthropology of Religion
- Anthropology 413 Ethnology of the Southwest
- Anthropology 416 Contemporary Indian America
- Anthropology 419 Psychological Anthropology
- Anthropology 426 Archaeology of Africa
- Anthropology 434 Reproduction, Politics and Household Economics
- Anthropology 435 Principles of Archaeological Field Work
- Anthropology 444 Medical Anthropology
- Anthropology 451A Archaeology of North America: Eastern North America
- Anthropology 451B Archaeology of North America: Western North America
- Anthropology 453A Mesoamerican Archaeology
- Anthropology 453B Mesoamerican Archaeology
- Anthropology 456B Old World Prehistory
- Anthropology 460 History of Archaeological Theory
- Anthropology 466 Paleoanthropology
- Anthropology 476 Language in Culture
- Anthropology 480 Historical Comparative Linguistics
- Anthropology 496H Experimental Archaeology
The faculty in the Department of Anthropology may change the list at any time. Students should contact the Advising Office for a current list of available options.
Senior Capstone
The University of Arizona requires that all undergraduates complete a senior capstone course or honors thesis. To satisfy this requirement, all majors in anthropology who entered fall semester 2002 and later years must complete Anthropology 498 (Senior Capstone) or 498H (Honors Thesis, see below).
Anthropology 498 - The Senior Capstone is a 3-unit, student-centered course for anthropology majors. The course emphasizes two components. First, formal presentations as part of the Department of Anthropology Lecture Series and informal talks by guest speakers provide the basis for class academic content and integrative discussions to encourage an individualized anthropological worldview. Second, students' pathways and goals are highlighted as part of promoting personal and professional development.
Major themes in anthropology are presented each semester. Topics vary from semester to semester in accord with the Department of Anthropology Lecture Series and student interests. Anthropology majors are encouraged to keep a file of all substantial written work and special projects for all departmental courses to enhance the "senior capstone" experience.
Honors Requirements
Students earn graduation with honors by completing the university-wide Honors College requirements of 30 units in honors credit including 6 units of ANTH 498H Honors Thesis. Please check the Honors College website for more information.
Minors offered by the U of A
In addition to your major in Anthropology, you will need a minor field. If the minor is offered for your catalog year, that minor is an option for you with the Anthropology major.
Click here for a complete list of minors offered by the University of Arizona
In order to declare a minor in Anthropology, you must be see Karen Weaver-Sommers, Academic Advisor, Sr. in the Department of Anthropology Advising Office (Haury 210). The Anthropology Department requires 18 units of anthropology courses, of which 9 units must be upper division (300-400 level). Courses are selected with the assistance of an advisor and can focus on one or more subdisciplines in the department. We encourage enrollment in at least one of our core courses as foundation for upper division study.
In addition to the minors approved by the Board of Regents, you can also create a "Thematic minor". Thematic minors concern one basic theme or area of interest but draw courses from at least two departments. Declaration of a thematic minor must be completed prior to filing for a senior degree check. The thematic minor requires approval by the Anthropology Advisor on a standard Thematic Minor form.
Double Majors
It is possible to combine two majors as part of a single Bachelor of Arts degree. The Department of Anthropology allows students to use two courses at the upper division level (6 units) toward a second major with approval from that department. Students who choose the double major option do not need a minor field. The core course requirements remain the same for the anthropology major when it is combined with a second major.
Interdisciplinary Studies Majors (IDS)
The department does not have special programs for IDS students; they are encouraged to develop their own course of study. However, our core courses (Anthropology 200, 235, 265, 276 and 498) are considered important. Please be certain that you have taken the lower division course in your selected subfield before going on to more advanced 300 and 400 level classes. A meeting with the Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Mary Ellen Morbeck, is recommended to help you plan your program.
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