StudyQA — Bachelor: Anthropology — Vanderbilt University

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

Anthropology is the study of humanity in the widest sense, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology provides a broad understanding of human nature, cultural diversity, social power, and cultural dynamics through time. Traditionally, the discipline is divided into four sub-fields, each of which looks at humans from a different but related perspective. These fields include cultural anthropology, which focuses on social groups and processes in the present and recent past; archaeology, which examines societies through their material media; biological anthropology, which studies the biological aspects of humans; and linguistic anthropology, the study of language and its relationship to culture.

Many undergraduates integrate their work in anthropology with the study of subjects such as medicine, politics, law, economics, psychology, sociology, or area programs such as Latin American Studies, East Asian studies, and International studies, all of which provide opportunities for learning abroad. The program encourages field research experiences and emphasizes flexibility.

The major in anthropology requires completion of at least 30 credit hours of course work, as follows:

1. At least three 1000-level surveys (chosen from Anthropology 1101, 1201, 1301, 1601) covering the four subfields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology.

2. A minimum of three credit hours from each of the groups below:

Group I—Comparative Anthropology and Anthropological Theory: 2105, 2113W, 3900, 4154, 3121, 3160, 3133, 3132, 3140, 3122, 4153, 3143, 3145, 3141, 4155, 3142, 3150, 3150W, 2370, 2220, 2220W, 3262, 3901, 4152

Group II—Archaeology and Biological Anthropology: 2211, 2214, 3162, 3240, 3242, 3202, 3200, 3620, 3620W, 3161, 3162, 3343, 2342, 3371, 3130, 2231, 3201, 2230, 3250, 3372, 3344, 4345, 4373, 3260, 3261, 3243, 3243W, 3866

Group III—Ethnography, Ethnohistory, and Linguistics: 2601, 2602, 2250, 2109, 2106, 2223, 2603, 3134, 3161, 3144, 3130, 3241, 2108, 3622, 3120, 2614, 3614

3. A seminar on anthropological theory (3900 or 3901). The seminar may not also be used to count toward Group I credit above.

4. At least 18 credit hours must be at the 2000 level or higher.

5. The remainder of the credit hours must be chosen from ANTH courses not already used to satisfy the requirements listed above.

6. With the approval of the student’s major adviser, a maximum of 3 credit hours for a course taken in another department or program may be counted toward the major requirement. A variety of courses are possible, including but not limited to those listed below. In each case, the course must be relevant to the student’s program and the student must receive the approval of the director of undergraduate studies.

African American and Diaspora Studies2178,3178; Biological Sciences2205; History1270,2490; History of Art2210, 3240W; Human and Organizational Development3200; Latin American Studies 2301, 2601; Latino/a Studies 2201; Mathematics1010, 1011; Medicine, Health, and Society 1930, 3010, 3110, 2420, 2130, 2250, 3140, 3210, 3220, 3150, 2430, 2240, 3250; Music Literature 1100, 1105, 2100, 2110; Religious Studies 3079, 3178, 2472, 3142, 4554, 4837; Sociology 3001, 3313, 3311, 3314, 3221, 3231, 3232; Spanish 3330, 3360, 3370.

Honors Program

The Honors Program in Anthropology is designed to afford superior students the opportunity to pursue more intensive work within the major field. Students who want to do honors work in anthropology should contact the director of the Honors Program in the fall of their junior year. The completion of the Honors Program requires: a) 4–5 credits in Anthropology 4998 (Honors Research), evaluated by honors thesis adviser, b) 4–5 credits in Anthropology 4999 (Honors Thesis), evaluated by honors thesis adviser, c) submission of a written thesis, evaluated by the student’s honors committee, d) an oral presentation of the thesis (15–20) minutes, evaluated by the student’s honors committee, e) an oral examination of the thesis, administered by the student’s honors committee. The independent research hours are expected to be in excess of the 30 hours required for the anthropology major.

Requirements

All required parts of either the Coalition Application, Common Application, or Universal College Application.
$50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
Official high school transcript
Counselor letter of recommendation
Two academic teacher recommendations
Standardized Test Results: SAT or ACT (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)
Official results of the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic if applicable*
A completed College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, if applicable**