Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures across space and time. The Anthropology minor provides students with an informed understanding of the diversity evident in human societies and the concepts by which anthropologists explain these dynamics. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to exploring key questions about human diversity in the past, present, and future and enhances student understanding through examining the numerous links between the systems of biology and culture. The program prepares students to understand anthropological methods and theories and to apply them to life experiences.

Program Mission

The Anthropology program complements the mission of the Department and the College by focusing on the analysis of the relationship among world cultures, societies, and the features and consequences of human evolution. The mission of the Anthropology minor is to provide a comprehensive and rigorous course of study for students seeking to understand the human cultural and biological experience, as well as to prepare students interested in pursuing graduate work in anthropology or professional degrees in related fields such as, sociology, psychology, criminology, history, museum studies, world languages, communication, education, and medicine.

Students pursuing the Anthropology minor will have the opportunity to experience anthropology’s dominant sub disciplines: biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology and linguistics. Study in one or more of the four introductory level courses provides a solid grounding in the anthropological perspective, while upper level coursework emphasizes more in-depth exploration of a range of topics within the sub disciplines based on historical and theoretical foundations. Upper level electives also provide opportunities for independent study and directed research, which allow students the ability to chart their own course within the minor according to their academic interests.

Anthropology, by nature, is comparative and integrative. Through engaging in the variety of courses concerning human evolution, world prehistory, cultural and biological diversity of contemporary humans, students will learn to question and examine the significance of ethnocentric beliefs, attitudes, and prejudices and to understand the biological and cultural diversity that characterizes the human species. The program also provides students with the necessary intellectual tools of critical reasoning, and oral and written communication skills, designed to prepare them for life and work in our multi-cultural world.

Program Goals & Objectives

• Provide students with background in the concepts and bodies of knowledge used and produced by anthropologists so students will learn the basic core concepts of anthropology and be able to cite factual evidence to support their arguments on major topics under debate in the discipline.
• Provide students with training on the application of anthropological theory and method, enabling students to demonstrate knowledge of history and contemporary trends in anthropological theory, and the ability to apply theoretical approaches to concrete problems.
• Prepare students to apply anthropological concepts to real world problems and effectively communicate results and to increase students’ abilities to think and write critically about anthropological concepts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Anthropology minor, the student should achieve the following: 

• An understanding and appreciation of human biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural diversity.
• An understanding of the three main anthropological approaches to the study of humanity: cross-cultural comparison, holism, and evolutionary theory, and the uses of each.
• An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess anthropological/archaeological theories, principles, concepts, and research methods.
• An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess the role of culture and social structures in shaping society and individual lives.
• An ability to critically write and verbally present ideas, critiques, and research within the discipline.

Outcomes Assessment Activities

Assessment of the Anthropology minor is the responsibility of the program faculty.

Anthropology minors’ performance on each of the program’s student learning outcomes will be assessed annually. Assessment results will be used to identify program strengths and to discern areas needing improvement to enhance student performance in relation to the student learning outcomes.

Specific Program Requirements 

Additional Requirements 

• No grades below C are accepted toward the minor.
• Course Substitutions must be approved by the Department Chair or the Anthropology Program Coordinator.