Oct 31, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Anthropology


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www.smu.edu/anthro

Associate Professor Michael Adler, Department Chair

Professors: Eric G. Bing, Karen Lupo, David J. Meltzer, Christopher I. Roos
Associate Professors: Michael Adler, Maryann R. Cairns, Kacy Hollenback (Director of Undergraduate Studies), Neely Myers (Health and Society, Director of Undergraduate Studies), Nia Parson
Assistant Professor: Kelly McKowen
Research Assistant Professor: Matthew Boulanger

General Information

Anthropology is the study of humanity in its broadest context. Anthropology encompasses four subdisciplines within its approach: archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology and sociocultural anthropology. In addition to providing the basis for careers in these subdisciplines, anthropology provides a background for professional careers in teaching, research, international affairs, medicine, business or law. The department offers B.A. and B.S. degrees with a major in anthropology and B.A. and B.S. degrees with a major in health and society. A grade of C- or better must be earned in all courses taken in fulfillment of the requirements for the majors. Students must maintain a minimum 2.000 GPA in their major and should consult their departmental adviser periodically to review their progress. Students pursuing a major in anthropology may not also pursue a minor in anthropology. Students pursuing a major in health and society may pursue either a major or minor in anthropology, but only six credit hours may be double counted.

Departmental Distinction

This program is open to junior and senior anthropology majors and health and society majors with outstanding academic records. Graduation with departmental distinction is designated on the diploma of those who successfully complete the program. To earn departmental distinction, a student must:

  1. Complete the usual coursework for a B.A. or B.S. degree with at least a 3.500 GPA in their major and with at least a 3.000 GPA overall.
  2. With a grade of B or higher: For anthropology majors, pass ANTH 4321  and ANTH 4322  or complete a substantial independent reading program (for three credit hours that replaces one of these) on the history, conceptual foundations or methodological problems of the discipline. For health and society majors, pass ANTH 4318  or ANTH 4343 
  3. With a grade of A or A-: For anthropology majors, conduct a research project (for three credit hours in ANTH 4391  or ANTH 4392 ) and complete a significant research paper that is a minimum of 20 pages of text, includes a bibliography, and is written in appropriate sub-disciplinary professional style and format. For health and society majors, enroll in an Independent Study (e.g., ANTH 4391 ) to conduct an independent research project (may be associated with a faculty member’s overarching research) that meets several requirements. See the health and society director or website for details.
  4. For anthropology majors, pass an oral examination of one hour in length (with at least three full-time departmental faculty members), covering the results of the research project and general issues and concepts in anthropology according to the subfield specialty. For health and society majors, make an oral presentation of approximately 30 minutes in length in a format approved by the supervising faculty member. See health and society director or website for further details on the format options for this presentation.

Programs

    Major(s)Minor(s)

    Courses

      Anthropology

      Note: All 2000-level and 3000-level anthropology courses are open to first-year students. Undergraduate students may take 4000-level and 5000-level courses; however, undergraduate students must have introductory coursework in the appropriate subfield or permission of the department. Anthropology courses are grouped into subfields as follows.

      General ANTH 1321, ANTH 4321, ANTH 4322, ANTH 4399
      Archaeology ANTH 2302, ANTH 2360, ANTH 2380, ANTH 2463, ANTH 3304, ANTH 3312, ANTH 3313, ANTH 3315, ANTH 3318, ANTH 3321, ANTH 3334, ANTH 3353, ANTH 3370, ANTH 3373, ANTH 3374, ANTH 3384, ANTH 3386, ANTH 3388, ANTH 3390, ANTH 3399, ANTH 4300, ANTH 4325, ANTH 4333, ANTH 4373, ANTH 4374, ANTH 4383, ANTH 4385, ANTH 4386, ANTH 4387, ANTH 4388
      Cultural/Social Anthropology ANTH 2301, ANTH 2370, ANTH 3301, ANTH 3303, ANTH 3306, ANTH 3310, ANTH 3314, ANTH 3317, ANTH 3319, ANTH 3323, ANTH 3324, ANTH 3328, ANTH 3329, ANTH 3333, ANTH 3336, ANTH 3344, ANTH 3345, ANTH 3346, ANTH 3348, ANTH 3350, ANTH 3353, ANTH 3354, ANTH 3355, ANTH 3358, ANTH 3359, ANTH 3362, ANTH 3366, ANTH 3368, ANTH 3385, ANTH 4303, ANTH 4304, ANTH 4305, ANTH 4307, ANTH 4309, ANTH 4318, ANTH 4319, ANTH 4342, ANTH 4343, ANTH 4344, ANTH 4345, ANTH 4348, ANTH 4384
      Anthropological Linguistics ANTH 3361
      Biological Anthropology ANTH 2381, ANTH 2382, ANTH 2415, ANTH 3302, ANTH 3308, ANTH 3350, ANTH 3351

       

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