Anthropology, BA

Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, past and present. This study includes humankind’s physical development and creation of diverse lifestyles. The cross-cultural approach of Anthropology provides a framework for understanding all the diverse facets of what it means to be human.

The Anthropology Department provides training in four sub-disciplines: Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Physical Anthropology and Anthropological Linguistics. Using ethnographic, ethnological and ethnohistorical tools and information supplied by the four sub disciplines, the Anthropologist studies cultures and the processes of human development comparatively.

Why Consider an Anthropology Major?

Do you find human diversity and various cultures fascinating? Do you like to approach subjects from multiple perspectives? Do you prefer a holistic style of learning? Do you want to know why as well as how? Are you fascinated by human diversity? Are you enthusiastic, intelligent, and open-minded? If so, you may wish to consider a major in Anthropology. Students earning a degree in Anthropology will be able to apply their learning to a variety of jobs locally and internationally in the global economy of today’s world.

Department Chair
Judith M.S. Pine
Arntzen Hall 338
360-650-4783
pinej@wwu.edu

Department Manager
Lauren Townshend
Anthropology Office
Arntzen Hall 315
360-650-3620
Lauren.Townshend@wwu.edu

Anthropologist | International Studies | Law Enforcement | Ethnologist | Diplomacy | Museum Curator | Overseas Consultant | Linguist | Education | Researcher | Translator | Archaeologist | International Business | Politics | Governmental Advisor | Cultural Diversity Programs | Human Resources | Social Services | Archaeologist | Cultural Anthropologist | Anthropological Linguist | Forensic Anthropologist | Applied Health | Medical fields | Teaching| Nursing | Nutritionist | Public Health | Infectious Diseases | International Nutrition | Biomedical research | Biomechanics | Medical Genetics Research | Kinesiology and Human Biology | Healthcare Fields | Forensic science | Museums (collections, education, and research) | Science Journalism | Science Communication | Zoos (collections and captive breeding) | Forensic Anthropologist | Biocultural Anthropologist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

To declare, a student must have completed the following requirements:

• ANTH 201 and ANTH 301 and either ANTH 210 or ANTH 215 or ANTH 247 (ANTH 247 may be substituted with LING 201, LING 204, or HNRS 217).

Contact the Department of Anthropology at 360-650-3620 or visit its website at chss.wwu.edu/anthropology for information and instructions to declare the major.

Advising Tips: Students are advised to declare their major early in their academic career. Anthropology advisors will provide information about the program, help develop a plan of study and answer any questions.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements

• ❑ ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ❑ ANTH 210 - Introduction to ArchaeologyCredits: 5
• ❑ ANTH 215 - Introductory Biological AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ❑ ANTH 247 - Intro to Linguistic AnthropologyCredits: 5 (LING 201 or LING 204 or HNRS 217 may be substituted)
• ❑ ANTH 301 - Anthropological TheoryCredits: 5
• ❑ ANTH 303 - Qualitative Methods in AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ❑ ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in AnthropologyCredits: 5 or another basic statistics course under advisement
• ❑ ANTH 490 - Senior Seminar in AnthropologyCredits: 5 or other culminating project under advisement (e.g., internship or directed independent study)
• ❑ ANTH 496 - Portfolio AssemblyCredits: 1
• ❑ Methods Component: At least one course from the following:
• ANTH 347 - The Ethnography of CommunicationCredits: 5
• ANTH 410 - Archaeological Analysis and InterpretationCredits: 5
• ANTH 420 - Human Osteology and Forensic AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ANTH 428 - Cultural Resource ManagementCredits: 4
• ANTH 431 - Methods in Nutritional ResearchCredits: 5
• ANTH 447 - Anthropological SemioticsCredits: 5
• ANTH 454 - Participatory Action Research MethodsCredits: 5
• ANTH 455 - Advanced Qualitative InquiryCredits: 5
• ANTH 469 - Directed InternshipCredits: 5-10
• ANTH 470 - Museology StudiesCredits: 3-5
• ANTH 471 - Field Work Methods in Cultural AnthropologyCredits: 7
• ANTH 472 - Visual AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ANTH 473 - Field Course in EthnographyCredits: 5-12
• ANTH 479 - People of the Sea and Cedar InternshipCredits: 1-6
• ANTH 480 - Applied AnthropologyCredits: 5
• (where appropriate an internship, practicum or archaeological methods course may be substituted under advisement)
• ❑ Topical Component: At least one course from the following:
• ANTH 330 - Religion and CultureCredits: 5
• ANTH 338 - Economic AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ANTH 350 - The Ecology of Human VariationCredits: 5
• ANTH 351 - Family and Kinship OrganizationCredits: 5
• ANTH 353 - Sex and Gender in CultureCredits: 5
• ANTH 424 - Medical AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ANTH 440 - Cyborg AnthropologyCredits: 5
• ANTH 453 - Women of the Global SouthCredits: 5
• ANTH 475 - Humane MigrationCredits: 5
• ANTH 481 - Childhood and CultureCredits: 5
• ANTH 484 - Intercultural EducationCredits: 5
• ❑ Culture Region Component: At least one course from the following:
• ANTH 361 - American Indian PerspectivesCredits: 5
• ANTH 362 - Anthropological Perspectives on AsiaCredits: 5
• ANTH 365 - Latin American PerspectivesCredits: 5
• ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest StudiesCredits: 5
• ANTH 463 - Critical Issues in East and Southeast AsiaCredits: 5
• ANTH 465 - Critical Issues in Mexico and Central AmericaCredits: 5
• ANTH 476 - BorderlandsCredits: 5
• ❑ Electives in anthropology under departmental advisement. Student selection of a complementary minor under advisement is strongly recommended.
• ❑ Only one 100-level course will count toward major, minor or archaeology concentration