Anthropology : Handbook - Description

Most of you who start as freshmen at CWU will not formulate your major program until your sophomore year. When you are ready to declare the anthropology major you will probably have fulfilled two or more of the core course requirements. Thus, you should be abl e to complete your program here at CWU in four years.

The student transferring from a community college (with an AA degree or some basic and breadth requirements completed) will ordinarily be able to graduate with a bachelor's degree in two academic years. Faculty advising, and some summer course work, are essential to completing your program in two years. Remember in addition to completing the anthropology degree requirements, you must meet the CWU requirement of 60 upper division credits.

You should keep several things in mind as you register for courses each quarter. First, assume that 100 level classes will be prerequisites for the 300 level classes in the same sub-area for anthropology majors. Second, realize that all 400 level courses require the breadth of knowledge acquired in the introductory level courses in order to successfully complete their 400 level class work. Third, consider the frequency of course offerings. We typically offer courses as follows:

• Introductory Courses (100 Level): 110, 120, and 130 are offered quarterly, 180 is offered in the Fall and Spring

• Sophomore/Junior Courses (300 Level): The student can expect a yearly offering of two Archaeology, two Ethnographies, three Ethnologies, three Biological Anthropology, and two Linguistics classes. Most 300 level course topics are offered every other year. At least one or two Special Topic courses (ANTH398) are offered each year, and often during the summer.

  We suggest that majors sample among ethnographic area courses depending upon interest and availability. Course topics include areas such as: North America (Hispanic and Native American cultures), Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Students should also select among ethnology courses depending on interest and availability. These courses focus on topics such as: family and kinship, gender roles, culture and personality, religion, medical anthropology, and economic and ecological anthropology.

• Junior /Senior Courses (400 Level): Each year the student can expect one class in History of Theory, two Senior Seminars, one Senior Survey, and one summer anthropology field experience. Students should also consider an internship or a co-op education position to complete 400 level credits during the summer session and gain job related experience. Other 400 level courses are offered every other year.