Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Anthropology - BA, BS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Navigation Help:

The blue highlighted text  indicates additional details are available. Simply click on it to view details such as course name, description, prerequisites, or to be linked to another website with additional information. The back arrow button may be used to return to this page if you leave it through a link.

  • The Anthropology program requires a 2.5 GPA for all Anthropology, STATS or Language courses.  For more information about Anthropology, see the Department of Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all requirements listed in the core requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements, students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and by passing an exit interview  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  • Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students  OR
  • TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is STAT 1040: Introduction to Statistics (QL)  or STAT 1045: Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) .

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.50 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ANTH 1010: Cultural Anthropology (BSS)   3   2.5 course GPA or better STAT 1040: Introduction to Statistics (QL)  or STAT 1045: Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL)   3  or 5   2.5 course GPA or better
ANTH 1020: Biological Anthropology (BLS)   3   2.5 course GPA or better Breadth Requirement 3  
ANTH 1030: World Archaeology (BSS)   3   2.5 course GPA or better Breadth Requirement 3  
ANTH 1099: Resources in Anthropology at USU   1   2.5 course GPA or better Elective Course 3  
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     Elective Course 3  
Breadth Requirement 3        
Comments
Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     ANTH 2XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better
Breadth Requirement 3   ANTH 3XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better
ANTH 2XXX/3XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better BS/BA Course 3  
ANTH 3XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better Communications Intensive (CI) Course   3  
BS/BA Course 3   Quantitative Intensive (QI) Course   3  
Comments
Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ANTH 3XXX/4XXX Upper-Division Course  3 2.5 course GPA or better ANTH 4980: History and Theories of Anthropology   3 2.5 course GPA or better
ANTH 4XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better ANTH 3XXX/4XXX Upper-Division Course 3 2.5 course GPA or better
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course   3   Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) Course   3  
Upper-Division Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Comments
Comments

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ANTH 4XXX/5XXX Upper-Division Methods 3 2.5 course GPA or better ANTH 4XXX/5XXX Upper-Division Capstone 3 2.5 course GPA or better
Communications Intensive (CI) Course   3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Comments
Comments

ANTHROPOLOGY MAJOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS


BS and BA Degrees in Anthropology
Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5 for Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5 for major requirements, including BS and BA required courses; 2.0 USU GPA, 2.0 Career GPA
Minimum Grade Accepted: C in major requirements, including BS and BA required courses
Number of Required Credits: 40-43
Students majoring in Anthropology must maintain a minimum 2.5 overall GPA in Anthropology courses.

1. Students planning to receive a BS degree must complete STAT 1040: Introduction to Statistics (QL) STAT 1045: Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) , or another approved statistics course; and two courses selected from a list of courses approved by the Anthropology program (see below). 
2. A Bachelor of Arts degree requires foreign language training or demonstration of proficiency in one language, which may be satisfied in a number of ways, including successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent) or demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language or demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent). For further information, see the General Catalog discussion of Undergraduate Graduation Requirements .
3. A total of 40 credits are required for General Anthropology majors as well as for majors choosing the Biological; Cultural; or Environmental Change, Community Engagement, and Wellness Anthropology tracks. A total of 43 credits are required for majors choosing the Archaeology/CRM track. See below for details.

Honors Option


The University Honors Program offers unparalleled opportunity to enrich and deepen the undergraduate education. Space is limited, and admission is competitive. Honors students enjoy many benefits, including personalized advising, exclusive access to research and study abroad funding, enhanced classroom experiences that also satisfy USU’s General Education requirements, priority registration, and membership in a vibrant campus community of students and faculty. For more information about application requirements and deadlines, please visit the Honors website at honors.usu.edu, or speak with the Anthropology Honors Advisor, Professor Jacob Freeman.

Residence


A minimum of 21 credits of the Anthropology course credits counting toward the major must be Utah State University courses. Credits from distance and residence center courses are subject to departmental approval for application toward the Anthropology major, with the exception of those listed below.

Anthropology Course Numbering System


The course subdiscipline within Anthropology is identified by the second digit in the four-digit course number. Cultural Anthropology courses use a 1 (e.g., ANTH 3160: Anthropology of Religion (DSS) ), Biological Anthropology courses use a 2 (e.g., ANTH 3200: Perspectives on Race (DSS/CI) ), and Archaeology courses use a 3 (e.g., ANTH 3300: Archaeology in North America (DSS) ).

Methods Component


Majors must complete one “Methods” course (3 credits) in Anthropology. The course chosen to meet this requirement may also count toward other Anthropology major requirements.

Credit Totals and Distribution


A minimum of 40 credits is required for the Anthropology major (43 credits for the archaeology track). All students are required to take the five core courses below (see required courses section) for a total of 13 credits. Additionally, students take 27-30 credits of structured electives as outlined in the “Anthropology Tracks and General Anthropology Options” section below.

Courses Required of All Anthropology Majors (13 credits)


Each student is required to take a set of five core courses, which introduce them to USU’s Anthropology program resources, the subfields of Anthropology, and the history and theories of Anthropology.

Anthropology Tracks and General Anthropology Options (27-30 credits)


General Anthropology (27 credits)


Students are encouraged (but not required) to select a track from among the four subspecialties in Anthropology (Cultural/Applied Anthropology; Biological Anthropology; Environmental Change, Community Engagement, and Wellness Anthropology; or Archaeology/CRM—listed below). Students who choose the “General Anthropology” option (e.g., those students who do not wish to specialize in any of the three listed tracks) complete 27 credits from any of the courses listed in 1-4 below.

Cultural Track (27 credits)


Students who choose to complete the track option in Cultural Anthropology are required to obtain broad knowledge outside their track as well as a depth of knowledge within their track. To do this, they must successfully complete a minimum of six courses equally distributed from the Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology tracks (listed in 1-3 below for a total of 18 credits) as well as two additional courses from the Cultural Track (listed in 1 below, for a total of 6 credits). A Cultural track-specific capstone (3 credits) completes the required 27 credits. Capstone courses may not be offered every year, so students should schedule their coursework accordingly.

Biological Track (27 credits)


Students who choose to complete the track option in Biological Anthropology are required to obtain broad knowledge outside their track as well as a depth of knowledge within their track. To do this, they must successfully complete a minimum of six courses equally distributed from the Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology tracks (listed in 1-3 below for a total of 18 credits) as well as two additional courses from the Biological Track (listed in 2 below, for a total of 6 credits). Also recommended: BIOL 1610 , BIOL 1620 , BIOL 2320 , BIOL 2420 . A Biological track-specific capstone (3 credits) completes the required 27 credits. Capstone courses may not be offered every year, so students should schedule their coursework accordingly.

Environmental Change, Community Engagement, and Wellness Track (27 credits)


Students who choose to complete the track option in Environmental Change, Community Engagement, and Wellness are required to obtain broad knowledge of multiple disciplines. To do this, they must successfully complete a minimum of two courses from all three course categories included in the track (for a total of 18 credits) as well as 9 additional credits of track electives.

Archaeology Track (30 credits)


Students who choose to complete the track option in Archaeology are required to obtain broad knowledge outside their track as well as a depth of knowledge within their track. To do this, they must successfully complete a minimum of two courses each from Biological and Cultural Anthropology (12 credits), plus a required Archaeology core (12 credits). Additionally, students complete Archaeology-Structured Electives (6 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

1. Cultural/Applied Track


Biological Anthropology Capstone


3. Archaeology/Cultural Resource Management


4. Anthropology of Environmental Change, Community Engagement, and Wellness


Students must complete all required courses, six credits in each area, and nine credits of track electives.

Non-Track Specific Electives


These do not count toward minor requirements. Some ANTH 4800 courses count toward track credits as noted above. Some methods courses require permission of instructor.

Approved Science Courses for Anthropology BS


In addition to STAT 1040  or STAT 1045 , select two courses from the following list:

Certificates


For students interested in pursuing a certificate in conjunction with their bachelor’s program, please see the requirements for the Interfaith Leadership Certificate  or Museum Studies Certificate .

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences