Professors: Douglas K. Charles, R. Lincoln Keiser, Elizabeth Traube, Ákos Östör

Associate Professor: Susan F. Hirsch (Chair)

Instructor of Anthropology/American Studies: Kehaulani Kauanui

Visiting Professor: Peter Allen 

Departmental Advising Experts (2000-2001): R. Lincoln Keiser, Elizabeth Traube

The discipline of Anthropology is diverse, being as much one of the humanities as one of the social sciences, and has affinities with the natural sciences through its bio-archaeological component. Anthropology majors are expected to become acquainted with the major subfields of the discipline and also to pursue an individually tailored concentration of courses, in consultation with their advisors. These individual programs should reflect the backgrounds and interests of the students and should draw on the courses available in this and other departments.
 

Major Requirements: All students planning to major in Anthropology must take Being and Becoming Human (ANTH101), which is the department's required gateway course, during their frosh or sophomore year.

All majors are also required to take Contemporary Anthropological Theory (ANTH201), the History of Anthropological Thought (ANTH383) or an approved substitute, and a course on methods (e.g., ANTH349, ANTH362, ANTH375, ANTH275, or another approved course).

Each major must complete at least four courses from one of the concentrations of study listed below:

General Anthropology–This concentration is designed for students desiring a broad background in Anthropology. Students in the General Anthropology concentration must take at least one Anthropology course from each of three of the other concentrations.

The Human Past–Human Evolution, Prehistory of the Americas, Archaeology of Death, Evolution of the Human Body, including at least one course offered outside Anthropology in, for example, Archaeology, Art History, Classical Studies, Medieval Studies or History.

Media and Mass Culture–American Cultures; Cinema and National Culture in Central Europe; State, Culture and Cinema in Australia; Non-fiction film and Anthropology; Language and Culture in Society; Mass Producing Culture; including at least one course offered outside Anthropology in, for example, American Studies, English, Film Studies, or Sociology.

Power and Social Process–Anthropological Approaches to Gender; Anthropological Perspectives on Globalization; Interpretation of Ritual; Perspectives on Race; Political Anthropology; including at least one course offered outside Anthropology in, for example, African American Studies, American Studies, History, Sociology, or Women’s Studies.

African Society and Culture–African Cinema and Society; Anthropological Perspectives on Globalization; Challenges to African Society in the Age of Globalization; Rethinking Gender and Sexuality: Examples from African Ethnography; Challenges to Western Thought; Narrating African Lives; including at least one course offered outside Anthropology in, for example, Art, Dance, Economics, History, or Music. Students are also be encouraged to study an African language (e.g., Kiswahili) and/or to spend a semester abroad in Africa.

All majors are required to write a senior paper based either on field or library research, which may take the form of an honors thesis, a senior essay, or an extended paper. Thesis candidates must enroll in two thesis tutorials (ANTH409 and ANTH410) in their senior year. Moreover, they are expected to enroll in an Individual Tutorial (ANTH402), or another approved course, during the spring semester of the junior year to prepare for writing the thesis. The department has limited funds for thesis research. Those wishing to compete for these funds must submit a full research proposal (including a budget) to the department by the beginning of the spring final examination period. Essay candidates must enroll in an individual tutorial (ANTH402). All other students are encouraged to enroll in a seminar to complete their extended papers.

Double Majors: Students also may have double majors--for example, Anthropology/History, Anthropology/Biology, Anthropology/Sociology, Anthropology/Music, Anthropology/Film, Anthropology/English, or Anthropology/E&ES. All the requirements for the two majors must be met, except when faculty representatives of the two departments approve alterations in a student’s program. Please consult with the department chair or a department advisor.

Courses outside the major: Various departments and programs offer cross-listed courses that can be counted toward the Anthropology major including Archaeology, Biology, Classical Studies, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Religion, History, Sociology, American Studies, African American Studies, and Women’s Studies. If outside courses are to be counted as meeting Anthropology requirements, they must be approved in advance by the student's advisor.

Study Abroad: Students are encouraged to take advantage of semester abroad programs. The Office of International Studies has information about specific programs. Those students with interests in the human past should consider enrolling in the University of Sheffield, England program and/or participating in Wesleyan (or other institution) sponsored summer excavation projects. Students studying abroad, with the approval of their advisor, may be able to substitute one or more of their study abroad courses for specific concentration or elective courses.

BA/MA program: The Anthropology department also offers a concurrent BA/MA for qualified candidates. A written description of the BA/MA program is available in the Anthropology office or will be mailed on request.