Archaeology Spotlight
Students can choose to focus their studies on archaeology. We provide many opportunities inside and outside the classroom for students to engage in archaeology.
Faculty and Student Spotlight
Our faculty and students are involved in a number of professional organizations and research projects.
The Anthropology Major
The major is structured around our department's focus on the Atlantic World and consists of an emphasis on student participation in faculty research as well as their own. Course offerings address topical areas that include Chesapeake archaeology, ecological and economic anthropology, kinship and social organization, food, identity, and applied anthropology. Many courses address issues of gender, ethnicity, and globalization. Students have the option to focus their major courses in archaeology or general anthropology (four-field experience).
Affiliations with Historic St. Mary's City and nearby Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum/ Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory provide adjunct faculty and generate rich opportunities for majors to engage in internships, independent studies, St. Mary's Projects, hands-on professional research, and laboratory and field work. Several study tours and exchange programs offer exciting possibilities for study and research abroad, including the Gambia program sponsored by anthropology faculty. Each semester, we bring in experts within the field to speak to our students about their research. For more information on our Distinguished Scholar and Visiting Anthropologists series click here.
A degree in anthropology prepares students for graduate work in the social sciences and professions, and provides an excellent liberal arts foundation for a wide range of career options— working in educational institutions, museums, business, private industry, or government.
View Course Catalogs
Degree Requirements for Major
The 48 semester-hours of major requirements may include field experience and independent study as approved by the department chair.
All courses presented for the major must have a grade of at least C-.
Required Core Course (16 semester hours):
- ANTH 101: Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTH 201: Anthropology Toolkit
- ANTH 202: Archaeology Practicum
Two courses chosen from the following to incorporate the subfields of anthropology:
- ANTH 230: Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 243: Biological Anthropology
- ANTH 250: Language and Culture
- ANTH 281: Archaeology and Prehistory
Required Upper Level Courses (8 semester-hours):
- ANTH 349: Anthropological Theory
- ANTH 385: Anthropological Research Methods
- Three elective courses in anthropology at the 300- or 400-level (12 semester hours)
*Students electing to pursue archaeology must complete a summer field school. This can be meet through the Gambia Program, the Historic St. Mary's City Field School, or another approved program*
Seniors:
In their senior year, majors may elect to complete a St. Mary's Project (8 semester hours, ANTH 493/494), complete the Anthropology Senior Tutorial(ANTH 490), or Directed Research/Internship in their senior year. Those choosing the latter must receive approval from the Department Chair. One additional course in anthropology at the 300- or 400-level (4 semester-hours) should also be completed.
The Anthropology Minor
To earn a minor in anthropology a student must complete at least 24 semester-hours in anthropology:
All courses presented for the minor must have a grade of at least a C-
Required Courses (8 credits):
- ANTH 101 Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTH 201 Anthropology Toolkit
- ANTH 202 Archaeology Practicum
Two courses at the 200-level (8 credits):
- ANTH 230 Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 243 Biological Anthropology
- ANTH 250 Language and Culture
- ANTH 281 Archaeology and Prehistory
Elective Courses (8 credits):
Two 4-credit anthropology courses at the 300 or 400 level.
