NEW MAJOR FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Anthropology Major
Many students have already heard that the department has changed the requirements for the major. These changes will apply in full to the Class of 2012, next year’s freshman class. However, as we implement the new requirements next year, some members of the Classes of 2009-2011 will be affected. We have tried to anticipate potential problems for current students who are trying to complete the major, and the questions below should address the most common concerns.
Please contact Professor Reichman or Professor Gibson if you have specific questions about your plan of study.
Q: What are the new requirements?
A: TEN courses are required for a concentration in anthropology
of which at least EIGHT must be beyond 200.
These TEN courses must include the following:
- ANT 101 Cultural Anthropology, normally taken in the freshman year or fall of the sophomore year
- ANT 201 Theory and Method in Anthropology
(Beginning in 2010, ANT 101 will be a prerequisite) - At least two of the core courses in anthropology:
ANT 202 - 205 - One course that fulfills the Senior Requirement:
ANT 301-310 Advanced Topics
ANT 390 Supervised Teaching (For ANT 101Cultural Anthropology only)
ANT 393 Honors Research in Anthropology
ANT 291 will be replaced by ANT 201 next year. ANT 201 will be taught in the Spring.
Q: To whom do the new requirements apply?
A: The Class of 2012 will follow the new requirements in full.
Special considerations will be made for the Classes of 2011,
2010 and 2009 as follows:
Class of 2011: ANT 101 is recommended but not required.
Class of 2010: ANT 101 is not required. Students who wish to take the class can do so with permission of the instructor.
Class of 2009: All of the old requirements apply, except for those students who have not yet taken ANT 291 Research Methods (see next question).
Q: I am in the class of ’09 and I have not taken ANT 291. It won’t be offered next year and I need it to graduate.
What do I do?
A: Enroll in ANT 201 “Theory and Method in Anthropology” in Spring ’09.
This will fill the old ANT 291 requirement.
This course will only be offered in the Spring so leave room in your schedule.
Q: What is the “Senior Requirement” for the class of 2009?
A: The old rules for seniors still apply in 2009. All seniors (except those who TA for ANT 101) must take ANT 292
Senior Seminar in the Spring ’09 semester. This is the last time it will be offered.
Q: I made my plans to major in anthropology major under the old system.
I have not taken ANT 101. Do I have to take it?
A: ANT 101 is not required for students in the classes of 2009-2011. Members of the class of 2011 who want to major in anthropology are encouraged but not required to take ANT 101 as sophomores.
Q: What is the undergraduate TA program?
A: Each semester, several advanced anthropology majors will be chosen to work as teaching assistants in
ANT 101 Cultural Anthropology. The course will be taught by a faculty member. TAs, working in pairs,
will lead a weekly discussion section. The selection process for the 2008-2009 teaching assistants was completed
this spring.
Q: The new requirements mention “Advanced Topics” classes for seniors. Why aren’t they being offered this year?
A: ANT 292 Senior Seminar will be offered this year for the last time. The “Advanced Topics” option will begin in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Q: Are research methods still going to be taught? Is there a class where we can do fieldwork?
A: ANT 291 will not be taught in the near future. ANT 101 and 201 will spend considerable time on research methods. Many other classes in the department will give students the opportunity to conduct some form of fieldwork. The new major is designed to give students experience in research methods before their junior years. This is to the advantage of students who go abroad as juniors and want to write theses when they return.