Anthropology Degree Requirements
Chairman of the Committee on the Undergraduate Program:
Russell Tuttle, H 134, 702-7719, r-tuttle@uchicago.edu
Departmental Secretary: Anne Chien, H 119, 702-8551
Program of Study
Anthropology encompasses a number of historical and comparative approaches to human cultural and physical variety, ranging from the study of human evolution and prehistory to the study of cultures as systems of meaningful symbols. Anthropology involves, at one extreme, such natural scientific studies as anatomy, ecology, genetics, and geology; at the other, various social sciences and humanities ranging from psychology, sociology, and linguistics to philosophy, history, and comparative religion. Anthropology can lead (through graduate study) to careers in research and teaching in university and museum settings. More often it provides a background for further work in other disciplines of the social sciences, humanities, and biological sciences, as well as for professional careers in government, business, law, medicine, social services, and other fields.
Program Requirements
Students must confer with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before declaring a major in anthropology and must obtain the endorsement of the Director of Undergraduate Studies on the Student Program Form before graduating with a Major in Anthropology. The B.A. program in anthropology consists of thirteen courses, of which at least eleven are normally chosen from those listed or cross-listed as Department of Anthropology courses. A minimum of three must be chosen from the introductory group (ANTH 211xx, 212xx, 213xx, 214xx), plus eight others. The additional two courses may be courses offered by other departments. Approval must be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in anthropology before the end of the second week of the quarter in which the student is enrolled in the nondepartmental course, which includes courses based in other departments that are cross-listed as ANTH. .
Students are encouraged to construct individual programs and, in so doing, they should consul regularly with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. We strongly urge majors to complete several introductory courses before enrolling in upper level courses. For a broad view of the human career and condition one should include courses in archaeological, linguistic, physical and sociocultural anthropology.
Courses numbered ANTH 211xx through 214xx do not presume any previous study of anthropology and may be taken in any order. However, students are strongly urged to take one of the following social sciences general education sequences before taking more advanced courses in sociocultural anthropology: Power, Identity, and Resistance (SOSC 11100-11200-11300) or Self, Culture, and Society (SOSC 12100-12200-12300). ANTH 211xx through 214xx are introductions to some of the substantive, methdological, and theorietical issues of sociocultual, archaeological and physical anthropology. Students emphasizing sociocultural anthropology are encouraged also to take one or more of the non-Western civilization sequences: African, South Asian, and Latin American. They normally feature anthropological approaches and content. With prior approval, other civilization sequences can be taken for anthropology credit (up to the two-course limit for nondepartmental courses) in accordance with the individual student's needs or interests.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies may refer students who wish to emphasize archaeological, linguistic, sociocultural, or physical anthropology to faculty in these fields to assist them to develop their individual programs.
When desirable for a student's individual anthropology program and with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, preferably in advance, a student may also obtain course credit for supervised individual reading or research (ANTH 29700), as well as by attending field schools or courses offered by other universities (up to the two course limit for nondepartmental courses). A maximum of two research credits (ANTH 29700, ANTH 29900) will count as additional anthropology courses beyond the required three introductory courses.
Summary of Requirements
- 3 from ANTH 21100 to 21400
- 8 additional anthropology courses
- 2 anthropology courses or related courses (with prior approval)
Grading
Courses counted toward the thirteen required for the major must be taken for quality grades.
Honors
Students interested in being considered for honors must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies before the end of their third year. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.6 or higher in courses in the major and typically a GPA of 3.25 overall. To receive honors in anthropology, students must develop an extended piece of research via a bachelor's essay under the approved supervision of a faculty member. Registration in ANTH 29900 may be devoted to the preparation of the senior honors essay. For award of honors, the essay must receive a grade of A or A- from the faculty supervisor and by the second reader who were approved by the Direcotor of Undergraduate Studies. No later than fifth week of the quarter the student expects to graduate, two copies of the completed paper must be submitted to to the Director of Undergraduate studies by the student being recommended for honors. The faculty supervisor must be chosen from among anthropology faculty. The second reader may be any credentialed scholar/scientist approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
This program may accept a B.A. paper or project used to satisfy the same requirement in another major if certain conditions are met and with the consent of the other program chair. Approval from both program chairs in required. Students should consult with the chairs by the earliest B.A. proposal deadline (or by the end of their third year, when neither program publishes a deadline). A consent form, to be signed by both chairs, is available from the College adviser. It must be completed and returned to the College adviser by the end of the Auturmn Quarter of the student's year of graduation.
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