Handbook for Anthropology Majors
Table of Contents:
An Invitation to Anthropology
We invite you to major in Anthropology at the College of Charleston. Anthropology, through its global and comparative approach, explores human biological and cultural diversity both in the past and in the present. Anthropology is traditionally divided into four sub disciplines (biological anthropology, archaeology, anthropological linguistics, and cultural anthropology) through which it is linked to other social sciences, the natural sciences, and humanities.
Biological (or physical) anthropologists study such things as non-human primates (monkeys and apes), human and primate evolution, human biological variation and human genetics. Archaeologists collect and interpret artifacts and other material remains left by past and contemporary societies in order to reconstruct their lifestyles and to demonstrate major cultural developments such as the origin of agriculture and the emergence of civilization. Languages and the ability to use symbols are studied by linguists. Cultural Anthropology is the comparative study of contemporary societies that seeks to explain the similarities. It shows that assumptions about human behavior based on the knowledge of a single society or one's own society are often inadequate. Anthropology students are encouraged to see the world "holistically," as the sum of biological, social and cultural parts. A background in Anthropology will help sensitize you to the mosaic of ethnic differences found in the world and encourage you to understand the diverse contending motivations at work in today's global economy. Anthropology students further hone their powers of observation in archaeology digs and in osteology ("bone") labs. Overall, studying other people helps us to see and understand ourselves in a better light.
Career opportunities for Anthropology graduates include business, education, and federal, state and local jobs. Biological anthropologists work in bio-medical research, health care, and the criminal justice system as well as in museum and academic settings. Archaeologists, who have traditionally worked in museums and restoration projects, are now also employed in historic preservation and environmental research. For further information on careers see our other pamphlet, "Anthropologists at Work", available in departmental office, and the accompanying video (#2362) available at the Office of Media and Technology. For examples of the occupational positions of actual 1990s College of Charleston anthropology graduates, see pp. 8-9 of this booklet. Information on graduate study in Anthropology and related fields can be found on the bulletin board between the first and second floors of 19 St. Philip. The most recent Guide to Graduate Programs in Anthropology is available in the Department Chair's office for your reference. Your advisor is also a good source of information about the graduate school application process.
Return to Table of Contents
Declaring a Major in Anthropology
- Each student must declare a major by the second semester of the sophomore year.
- Students wishing to declare a major in Anthropology can do so by clicking the following link and filling out the form. Declare Anthropology as a Major, Minor, or as a Double Major
- After filling out the Declaration of Major form, the Chair or the Administrative Assistant will assign you an advisor.
- Your faculty advisor is available to help you with course selection, interpreting requirements, academic and vocational planning, academic problems, and application to professional or graduate school. An advisor who has gotten to know you well and has seen your academic and personal development over several years can also be called upon to write employment or graduate school letters of recommendation for you. Newly declared anthropology majors will have an “advising hold” placed on their registration to insure that they meet and speak with an advisor prior to registering for classes. Students are free to request a faculty advisor of their choice or to request a change of advisor. The names and areas of specialization for departmental faculty are listed on pages 10-11 of this handbook.
Return to Table of Contents
Requirements & Recommendations for Majors in Anthropology
1. Anthropology majors must take the following courses:
• ANTH 101 Introduction to Anthropology (offered every fall and spring)
• ANTH 201 Comparative Social Organization (offered every spring)
• ANTH 202 Archaeology (usually offered every fall and spring)
• ANTH 203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Lab (offered every fall)
• ANTH 205 Language and Culture (usually offered every spring)
• ANTH 210 History of Anthropological Theory (offered every spring)
• Four (4) 300-level (or higher) courses, one of which must be a geographic area course (ANTH 320's). (four or more are offered every term)
• ANTH 491 Research Methods (offered once each year) or ANTH 493 Archaeology Field School (offered every other summer)
2. Anthropology majors are encouraged to take the appropriate 200-level course prior to enrolling in 300-level courses (for example, ANTH 202 before 300-level archaeology courses).
3. Anthropology majors are encouraged to include courses in biology, computer programming, economics, geology, history, international studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics in the program of study. Math 104 (Elementary Statistics) is highly recommended as one of the two math courses required for the General Education requirement in math. If considering graduate school, you also should take Math 250 (Statistical Methods I).
4. Quite a few anthropology majors find it beneficial and interesting to pursue a double major or a minor in fields closely allied to anthropology: Biology, Geology, Religious Studies, Languages, or Historic Preservation and Community Planning. Interdisciplinary minors which incorporate one or more Anthropology courses include African Studies, African American Studies, Environmental Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Women's Studies.
Return to Table of Contents
Suggested Areas of Concentration
Though we do not have "tracks" within the major, a student may carve out for himself/herself a "concentration" within certain areas:
Archaeology
• ANTH 202 Archaeology
• ANTH 300 Archaeological Lab Methods
• ANTH 302 Archaeology of North America
• ANTH 303 Paleolithic Archaeology
• ANTH 304 Rise of Complex Civilization
• ANTH 305 Prehistoric Ritual and Art
• ANTH 319 Special Topics - Archaeology
• ANTH 493 Summer Field School in Archaeology
Biological Anthropology
• ANTH 203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
• ANTH 319 Special Topics - Biological Anthropology
• ANTH 333 Human Evolution
• ANTH 334 Human Variation and Adaptation
• ANTH 335 Primate Behavior and Evolution
A Minor in Anthropology
Though a minor is not required for graduation at the College of Charleston, a student may choose to minor in one or more areas of study. In order to minor in anthropology, you must click on the following link and fill out the form.
Declare Anthropology as a Major, Minor, or as a Double Major
Students choosing the minor in Anthropology should complete the following eighteen (18) hours:
1. ANTH 101 Introduction to Anthropology
2. ANY TWO (2) 200-level Anthropology Courses:
- ANTH 201 Comparative Social Organization
- ANTH 202 Archaeology
- ANTH 203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
- ANTH 205 Language and Culture
- ANTH 210 History of Anthropological Theory
3. The remaining are electives which can be fulfilled by taking additional Anthropology courses to total nine hours.
Return to Table of Contents
Special Opportunities for Anthropology Majors and Minors
Internship in Anthropology
Internships enable students to achieve one of the primary goals of any curriculum -- the ability to apply what they have learned in the classroom. As interns, students have extended opportunities to link theories and ideas to concrete situations, and to apply the perspective of their discipline in a work place setting as we hope they will after graduation. Internships are a real life laboratory within a supportive environment.
Depending on the placement, students may be involved in a variety of hands-on activities while they test their ability to act as a participant observer. Internships allow students to use their classroom knowledge in the analysis and interpretation of what they observe. In addition, internships can help students become more marketable by providing experience and contacts.
Anthropology students have interned at the Charleston Museum, LABS Primate Center, the American Red Cross, the Mayor's Office, the Underwater Archaeology office of the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology, and the Medical Examiner's Office in recent years.
Click on the Internships Link As currently described in the undergraduate bulletin, the prerequisites for an internship (ANTH 381) are junior standing, a GPA of 3.0 in Anthropology, a 2.5 overall GPA, a major or minor in Anthropology, and permission of the instructor. Other prerequisites may vary depending on the nature of the placement (background checks, TB tests, etc.). Students should complete at least 12 hours of Anthropology before attempting an internship. This is important because an internship is not just on-the-job training; it is also an opportunity to meaningfully apply and use anthropological knowledge. All interns keep a record of their activities as well as attend required periodic class sessions. They meet individually with their faculty advisor to report on their progress. They are also evaluated by their placement supervisor. The grade is based on a combination of the placement supervisor's evaluation and the evaluation of the faculty advisor.
Credit is variable, ranging from one to six hours. Generally, three hours of internship per week are required for one hour of academic credit; a typical three hour course requires nine hours of internship placement per week or 120 hours per semester. Students can earn up to a total of six hours of credit towards graduation for internship(s). Contact your Anthropology advisor for more information.
Return to Table of Contents
International Student Exchange Program
Anthropology students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for study or work in other countries. Check the bulletin board at 19 St. Philip or contact the Center for International Education for information on a wide range of programs.
Opportunities in Field Work
During most summers, selected Anthropology students have the opportunity to participate in a local comprehensive archaeological field school which meets Society of Professional Archaeologists' standards. Students work for eight hours a day for eight weeks on Charleston Museum research sites in the South Carolina Low Country, receiving in-depth training in all phases of basic archaeological field research. Some students follow up their field experience with an internship in the Charleston Museum lab. See Dr. Borg or Dr. Hays for more information.
Faculty frequently take one or two selected students with them to their own field work locations during the summer. Such opportunities are publicized in anthropology classes. Return to Table of Contents
Transfer Credit Policy for Archaeological Field Schools Taught at Other Colleges and Universities; Revised, Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Transfer Credit counting for Anthropology 493: (Field School in Archaeology) is most likely to be approved by the Chair of the Sociology/Anthropology Department under the following conditions:
- Prior to the beginning of the field school the student provides the Department Chair with a detailed description of the field school, and if possible, a syllabus.
- Prior to the beginning of the field school the student, in consultation with the Department Chair, establishes that:
- students will be trained systematically in the following phases of basic archaeological field research: survey, excavation, map construction, photography, data interpretation, and artifact processing and analysis.
- the field school meets for at least 5 weeks for 40 hours per week (or the equivalent of 200 hours).
- If it is established that the above criteria have been met, then:
- The number of transfer credits will be calculated at the rate of one (1) credit for every 40 hours of field research.
- If the student field experience is not part of a formal university sponsored field school, but is a part of a research project (as is the case with many field work opportunities outside the USA) then:
- The student must still abide by the above guidelines.
- The student will register for Anthropology 381: Internship.
- A member of the Anthropology faculty will direct the internship.
- The student will provide their internship director with the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address for the field project director so that a standard for grading the internship may be established.
Return to Table of Contents
Scholarships
The Department is fortunate to have two scholarships available for Anthropology majors.
- The Jon Morter Scholarship ($600-850) is intended for majors interested in archaeology who wish to participate in the archaeological field school co-sponsored by the College and the Charleston Museum or in another archaeological field school.
- The Catherine Wood Parker Memorial Scholarship ($1400-1700) is intended for majors wishing to participate in travel courses or field schools.
Guidelines for competing for both scholarships will be announced in Anthropology classes and posted in departmental offices well in advance of the deadline for application. The Anthropology faculty will select the winners from among those students who apply.
Return to Table of Contents
Honor Society Lambda Alpha: The College of Charleston is proud to sponsor the only South Carolina chapter of Lambda Alpha, the national honor society in Anthropology. Students who meet the following qualifications will be invited to join Lambda Alpha:
- Completed at least 12 hours of Anthropology courses.
- At least a 3.4 GPA in Anthropology courses.
- At least a 3.0 GPA overall.
The Department hosts an annual reception to honor each year's Sociology and Anthropology honor society nominees.
Sociology and Anthropology Club
As a major or minor in Anthropology, you are invited to participate in the Sociology/Anthropology Club. This is a good opportunity to meet with majors and professors in other than a classroom setting. Club activities include inviting speakers to campus, participating in service projects, having social functions, going to undergraduate symposia, and taking field trips.
Return to Table of Contents
|
