Overview

John Rhoades, Chair

The Anthropology Department strives to provide its students with a broadly comparative and comprehensive approach to the study of humanity. This generalist approach fulfills the College's mission as a liberal arts institution which, among other things, emphasizes an understanding and appreciation of the value of human diversity. By preparing students in biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and ethnology, the department provides them with the broad perspective necessary to deal with complex human issues.

Anthropology is divided into four sub-disciplines:

Biological Anthropology — human origins, evolution, and biological variation.

Archaeology — excavation, interpretation, and reconstruction of past human cultures, and cultural evolution.

Ethnology — description and comparison of contemporary cultures and the organization of human culture and society.

Linguistics — description and comparison of the development, structure, and function of human languages.

The Washington Experience: Fisher Semester in Washington

Anthropology majors may avail themselves of The Washington Experience, a semester in Washington, D.C. Please refer to The Washington Experience for details.

Fast Track to Master of Science in International Studies

Students majoring in Anthropology are eligible for a Fast Track to a Master of Science in International Studies at St. John Fisher College. Fast Track approval requires acceptance into the graduate program and a meeting with the assigned graduate advisor. The advisor and student will discuss program options. If deemed appropriate by the advisor and approved by the Department Chair, the student may register for up to two graduate courses during the senior year. These courses will carry graduate-level credit only and will be taken in addition to those required to earn the baccalaureate degree.

Minor

Students who wish to minor in anthropology must select one of the following options:

Archaeology

Biological Anthropology

Ethnology

General Anthropology

Note: Only one course applied to a student's major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the Anthropology minor. For students minoring in Anthropology, a grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses designated as anthropology (ANTH) and taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Program Requirements

Anthropology Major Requirements

*ANTH 490, 493, and/or 496 are recommended.

Each major is strongly encouraged to study a foreign language in depth, take a course in statistical methods, and spend appreciable time experiencing another culture. This may be done by attending college in a foreign country for a semester or year, taking part in a summer research or study program, or traveling. Students should discuss the possibilities of such work with their departmental advisor.

Each major is also strongly encouraged to complete a departmental internship or to take part in a fieldwork course.

For students majoring in Anthropology, all courses designated as anthropology (ANTH) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Course Offerings are Divided into Three Categories

Introductory and General Courses

Topical Courses

Area Courses

Recommended Progression

B.A. Anthropology

Recommended progression of courses required for the B.A. Anthropology major. Students should consult Core Requirements for a complete description of the College Core.

*Introductory courses; recommended, but not required.

**Anthropology majors should consider using this course for an independent study or internship experience; majors should also consider using part or all of their junior or senior year for The Washington Experience program (ANTH 475-477) or a Study Abroad program.