Anthropology Department Requirements for Majors
There are three options for completing a major in anthropology
Please Note: It is NOT possible to double major within the department by taking more than one degree option. Students must choose between the BA and the BS.
B.A. in Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts)
The B.A. track in anthropology trains students in the discipline’s four traditional subfields: cultural, biological, and linguistic anthropology and archaeology, providing them with a holistic understanding of humans as biological, cultural, and linguistic beings, both in the present and the past. This track is intended for students who seek a comprehensive understanding of human cultural and physical diversity within a broad social, historical, and evolutionary framework.
Requirements for a major in Anthropology. The degree code is 070.
Total number of required credits: 40 credits, of which at least 18 credits are at the 300 or 400 level.
Requirements for Anthropology track
INTRODUCTORY COURSES: four courses required – 16 credits
01:070:101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
01:070:102 Introduction to Human Evolution
01:070:105 Introduction to Archaeology
01:070:108 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
300- OR 400-LEVEL COURSES: one course in three of the four anthropology sub-disciplines – 9 credits:
300- OR 400-LEVEL CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY COURSES
01:070:301 Psychology and Culture
01:070:302 Culture and the Environment
01:070:303 Wealth and Culture
01:070:304 Political Anthropology
01:070:305 Anthropology of Development
01:070:307 Medical Anthropology
01:070:308 Anthropology of Religion
01:070:309 Visual Anthropology
01:070:311 History of Anthropology
01:070:317 Method and Analysis in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:318 Reading Ethnographic Writing
01:070:319 Anthropology and Human Rights
01:070:320 Diaspora, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States
01:070:323 Women Writing Culture
01:070:324 Globalization, Sex, and Families
01:070:338 Culture, Wealth and Power in Africa
01:070:365 Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:366 Research Practicum in Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:367 Anthropology Goes to the Movies
01:070:368 Anthropology of Mass Media
01:070:369 The Cultural Politics of Nazism
01:070:371 The Politics of Culture
01:070:372 Body Politics
01:070:374 Localities and Global Systems
01:070:376 Power and Difference
01:070:378 The Anthropology of Gender
01:070:379 Gender and Power in Africa
01:070:380 Culture, Memory, History
01:070:389 Ethnography of Gender in South Asia
01:070:401 Theories in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:406 Rights and Wrongs of Indigenous Peoples
01:070:410 Explanation in Anthropology
01:070:486 Gender Development, Environment: Policies, Politics, Perspectives
300- OR 400-LEVEL LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY COURSES
01:070:312 Language and Social Diversity
300- OR 400-LEVEL BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY COURSES
01:070:310 Human Aggression
01:070:325 Evolution and Culture
01:070:328 Evolution and Cooperation
01:070:336 Primatology, Wildlife Ecology, and Conservation in Kenya
01:070:337 Field Methods and Analysis in Primatology in Kenya
01:070:348 Primate Behavioral Ecology
01:070:349 Advanced Physical Anthropology
01:070:350 Primatology and Human Evolution
01:070:354 Functional and Developmental Anatomy of the Primate Skeleton
01:070:355 Laboratory in Skeletal Biology of Primates
01:070:356 Human Variation
01:070:358 Introduction to Human Osteology
01:070:359 Human Osteology Laboratory
01:070:361 Hunters and Gatherers
01:070:364 Sex Roles and Social Structure
01:070:390 Plio-Pleistocene Hominid Anatomy
01:070:402 Theories in Physical Anthropology
01:070:412 Topics in African Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:414 Topics in European Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:420 Evolutionary Genetics: Humans and Other Primates
300- OR 400-LEVEL ARCHAEOLOGY COURSES
01:070:326 Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:327 Post-Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:330 Archaeology of Australia
01:070:332 North American Archaeology
01:070:333 Colonial Archaeology
01:070:334 Field Study in Archaeology
01:070:335 Analysis of Archaeological Data
01:070:391 Lithic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:392 Faunal Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:393 Cultural Resource Management
01:070:394 Microstratigraphic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:395 Quantification of Archaeological Data
01:070:397 Paleoanthropology
01:070:398 Field Research and Methods in Paleoanthropology
01:070:404 Advanced Seminar in Archaeology
01:070:412 Topics in African Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:414 Topics in European Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:426 South African Archaeology
ELECTIVE COURSES: five courses required, of which at least three are at the 300 or 400 level – 15 credits
Honors in Anthropology credit, and one approved independent study course, may be used toward elective credit. No course may fulfill more than one sub-disciplinary requirement. Credit may be given for courses in other departments if approved.
All courses applied to this major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
B.A. in Cultural Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts)
The B.A. Track in Cultural Anthropology focuses on the issues, modes of inquiry, fieldwork strategies, methods of data collection and analysis, and forms of ethnographic representation that characterize contemporary cultural anthropology. The Cultural Anthropology Track is intended for students interested in current cultural, social, and political issues, especially in understanding the relationship of global processes to new cultural forms and social inequalities. Students learn how cultural theory is integrated with empirical ethnographic research and how to balance knowledge of worldwide interconnections with in-depth knowledge of particular geographic regions (e.g., Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States). Students trained in Cultural Anthropology develop a unique set of skills enabling them to work successfully in many different cultural environments; a major in Cultural Anthropology also provides excellent preparation for students planning graduate training in anthropology or other disciplines, including professional training in law, teaching, and social work.
Requirements for a major in cultural anthropology. The degree code is 070.
Total number of required credits: 38 credits, of which at least 18 are at the 300 or 400 level.
Requirements for Cultural Anthropology track
INTRODUCTORY COURSES: both required - 8 credits
01:070:101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
01:070:108 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
GEOGRAPHIC AREA COURSES: two courses required - 6 credits
01:070:223 Anthropology of Latin America
01:070:238 Anthropology of Europe
01:070:243 Anthropology of Africa
01:070:244 Anthropology of South Asia
01:070:246 Anthropology of Southeast Asia
01:070:248 Anthropology of China
01:070:250 Anthropology of the Contemporary United States
01:070:320 Diaspora, Race and Ethnicity in the United States
01:070:338 Culture, Wealth, and Power in Africa
01:070:379 Gender and Power in Africa
01:070:389 Ethnography of Gender in South Asia
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON JUSTICE, INEQUALITY, AND DIFFERENCE: one course required - 3 credits
01:070:303 Wealth and Culture
01:070:304 Political Anthropology
01:070:305 Anthropology of Development
01:070:312 Language and Social Diversity
01:070:319 Anthropology and Human Rights
01:070:324 Globalization, Sex and Families
01:070:365 Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:366 Research Practicum in Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:371 The Politics of Culture
01:070:372 Body Politics
01:070:374 Localities and Global Systems
01:070:376 Power and Difference
01:070:378 The Anthropology of Gender
01:070:380 Culture, Memory, History
01:070:406 Rights and Wrongs of Indigenous Peoples
01:070:486 Gender, Development, Environment: Policies, Politics, Perspectives
Elective COURSES: seven courses required - 21 credits
01:070:111 Extinction
01:070:216 Anthropology and Contemporary Issues
01:070:220 Food and Culture
01:070:222 Sexuality and Eroticism in Global Perspective
01:070:223 Anthropology of Latin America
01:070:225 Gender in Global Perspective
01:070:238 Anthropology of Europe
01:070:243 Anthropology of Africa
01:070:244 Anthropology of South Asia
01:070:246 Anthropology of Southeast Asia
01:070:248 Anthropology of China
01:070:250 Anthropology of the Contemporary United States
01:070:293 Topics in Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology
01:070:301 Psychology and Culture
01:070:302 Culture and the Environment
01:070:303 Wealth and Culture
01:070:304 Political Anthropology
01:070:305 Anthropology of Development
01:070:307 Medical Anthropology
01:070:308 Anthropology of Religion
01:070:309 Visual Anthropology
01:070:311 History of Anthropology
01:070:312 Language and Social Diversity
01:070:317 Method and Analysis in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:318 Reading Ethnographic Writing
01:070:319 Anthropology and Human Rights
01:070:320 Diaspora, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States
01:070:323 Women Writing Culture
01:070:338 Culture, Wealth, and Power in Africa
01:070:365 Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:366 Research Practicum in Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:367 Anthropology Goes to the Movies
01:070:368 Anthropology of Mass Media
01:070:369 The Cultural Political of Nazism
01:070:371 Politics of Culture
01:070:372 Body Politics
01:070:374 Localities and Global Systems
01:070:376 Power and Difference
01:070:378 Anthropology of Gender
01:070:379 Gender and Power in Africa
01:070:380 Culture, Memory, History
01:070:389 Ethnography of Gender in South Asia
01:070:401 Theories in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:406 Rights and Wrongs of Indigenous Peoples
01:070:410 Explanation in Anthropology
01:070:486 Gender, Development, Environment: Policies, Politics, Perspectives
Honors in Anthropology credit, and one approved independent study course, may be used toward the elective requirement. No course may fulfill more than one requirement.
All courses applied to this major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology (Bachelor of Science)
The B.S. degree in evolutionary anthropology is designed for students interested in archaeology, biological anthropology, paleoanthropology, geoarchaeology, or other related fields in human evolutionary studies (e.g., skeletal biology, forensic science, primatology). This option prepares students with a multidisciplinary, science-oriented background for careers in the field of evolutionary anthropology. This degree is also useful and desirable for careers in the medical sciences.
Requirements for a major in Evolutionary Anthropology. The degree code is 071.
Total number of required credits: 50 credits, of which at least 18 credits are at the 300 or 400 level.
Requirements for Evolutionary Anthropology track
INTRODUCTORY COURSES: three courses required (070:102 and 105, and 204 or 212) – 11 credits
01:070:102 Introduction to Human Evolution
01:070:105 Introduction to Archaeology
01:070:204 Introduction to Social Evolution
01:070:212 The Life of Primates
STATISTICS COURSE: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:395 Quantification of Archaeological Data
01:960:211 Statistics I
01:960:212 Statistics II
01:960:285 Introduction to Statistics for Business
01:960:379 Basic Problems and Statistics
01:960:401 Basic Statistics for Research
BIOLOGY OR GEOLOGY COURSES: two courses required in either subject – 6 or 4 credits
01:119:101 General Biology
01:119:102 General Biology
01:460:101 Introduction to Geology I
01:460:103 Introduction to Geology Lab
200 – 400 LEVEL COURSES: One course in each of the six sub-disciplines of Evolutionary Anthropology, of which four are at the 300- or 400-level – 18 credits:
I. PRIMATOLOGY: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:212 The Life of Primates
01:070:336 Primatology, Wildlife Ecology, and Conservation in Kenya
01:070:337 Field Methods and Analysis in Primatology in Kenya
01:070:348 Primate Behavioral Ecology
01:070:349 Advanced Physical Anthropology
01:070:350 Primatology and Human Evolution
01:070:354 Functional and Developmental Anatomy of the Primate Skeleton
II. SOCIAL EVOLUTION: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:204 Introduction to Social Evolution
01:070:210 Approaches to Human Nature
01:070:310 Human Aggression
01:070:325 Evolution and Culture
01:070:328 Evolution and Cooperation
01:070:356 Human Variation
01:070:361 Hunters and Gatherers
01:070:364 Sex Roles and Social Structure
III. SKELETAL BIOLOGY/HOMINID PALEONTOLOGY: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:215 Survey of Fossil Primates
01:070:354 Functional and Developmental Anatomy of the Primate Skeleton
01:070:355 Laboratory in Skeletal Biology of Primates
01:070:358 Introduction to Human Osteology
01:070:359 Human Osteology Laboratory
01:070:390 Plio-Pleistocene Hominid Anatomy
IV. PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:206 Survey of New World Prehistory
01:070:207 Survey of Old World Prehistory
01:070:208 Survey of Historical Archaeology
01:070:326 Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:327 Post-Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:330 Archaeology of Australia
01:070:332 North American Archaeology
01:070:333 Colonial Archaeology
01:070:334 Field Study in Archaeology
01:070:335 Analysis of Archaeological Data
01:070:391 Lithic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:392 Faunal Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:393 Cultural Resource Management
01:070:397 Paleoanthropology
01:070:398 Field Research and Methods in Paleoanthropology
01:070:404 Advanced Seminar in Archaeology
01:070:412 Topics in African Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:414 Topics in European Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:426 South African Archaeology
V. GEOARCHAEOLOGY/PALEOECOLOGY: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:213 Environment and Human Evolution
01:070:394 Microstratigraphic Analysis in Archaeology
01:460:330 Sedimentary Geology
01:460:396 Geochronology in Geosciences and Anthropology
VI. ANTHROPOLOGICAL GENETICS: one course required – 3 credits
01:070:240 Introduction to Molecular Evolutionary Anthropology
01:070:420 Evolutionary Genetics: Humans and Other Primates
ELECTIVE COURSES: four or five courses in evolutionary anthropology required – 12 or 14 credits
01:070:111 Extinction
01:070:204 Introduction to Social Evolution
01:070:206 Survey of New World Prehistory
01:070:207 Survey of Old World Prehistory
01:070:208 Survey of Historical Archaeology
01:070:210 Approaches to Human Nature
01:070:212 The Life of Primates
01:070:213 Environment and Human Evolution
01:070:215 Survey of Fossil Primates
01:070:240 Introduction to Molecular Evolutionary Anthropology
01:070:294 Topics in Evolutionary Anthropology
01:070:310 Human Aggression
01:070:325 Evolution and Culture
01:070:326 Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:327 Post-Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:328 Evolution and Cooperation
01:070:330 Archaeology of Australia
01:070:332 North American Archaeology
01:070:333 Colonial Archaeology
01:070:334 Field Study in Archaeology
01:070:335 Analysis of Archaeological Data
01:070:336 Primatology, Wildlife Ecology, and Conservation in Kenya
01:070:337 Field Methods and Analysis in Primatology in Kenya
01:070:348 Primate Behavioral Ecology
01:070:349 Advanced Physical Anthropology
01:070:350 Primatology and Human Evolution
01:070:354 Functional and Developmental Anatomy of the Primate Skeleton
01:070:355 Laboratory in Skeletal Biology of Primates
01:070:356 Human Variation
01:070:358 Introduction to Human Osteology
01:070:359 Human Osteology Laboratory
01:070:361 Hunters and Gatherers
01:070:364 Sex Roles and Social Structure
01:070:390 Plio-Pleistocene Hominid Anatomy
01:070:391 Lithic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:392 Faunal Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:393 Cultural Resource Management
01:070:394 Microstratigraphic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:395 Quantification of Archaeological Data
01:070:397 Paleoanthropology
01:070:398 Field Research and Methods in Paleoanthropology
01:070:402 Theories in Physical Anthropology
01:070:404 Advanced Seminar in Archaeology
01:070:412 Topics in African Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:414 Topics in European Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:420 Evolutionary Genetics: Humans and Other Primates
01:070:426 South African Archaeology
Honors in Anthropology credit, and one approved independent study course, may be used toward elective credit. No course may fulfill more than one requirement. Credit may be given for courses in other departments if approved.
All courses applied to this major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Anthropology Department Requirements for Minors
There are three options for completing a minor in anthropology:
- Minor in Anthropology
- Minor in Cultural Anthropology
- Minor in Evolutionary Anthropology.
This minor is designed for students who seek an overview of the discipline's four traditional subfields: cultural, biological, and linguistic anthropology and archaeology.
Total number of required credits: 20 credits.
Required courses include one introductory course in cultural or linguistic anthropology (01:070:101 or 108) and one in evolutionary anthropology (01:070:102 or 105). Of the remaining 12 credits, at least 6 must be at the 300 level or above. All courses applied to this minor must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Minor in Cultural Anthropology
This minor is intended for students interested in an overview of the issues, modes of inquiry, fieldwork strategies, methods of data collection and analysis, and forms of ethnographic representation that characterize contemporary cultural anthropology. It is designed for students interested in current cultural and political issues, especially in understanding the relationship of global processes to local cultural forms and social inequalities. All courses applied to this minor must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Total number of required credits: 20 credits, of which 6 are at the 300 level or above.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES: both courses required - 8 credits
01:070:101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
01:070:108 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
GEOGRAPHIC AREA COURSES: one course required - 3 credits
01:070:223 Anthropology of Latin America
01:070:238 Anthropology of Europe
01:070:243 Anthropology of Africa
01:070:244 Anthropology of South Asia
01:070:246 Anthropology of Southeast Asia
01:070:248 Anthropology of China
01:070:250 Anthropology of the Contemporary United States
01:070:320 Diaspora, Race and Ethnicity in the United States
01:070:338 Culture, Wealth, and Power in Africa
01:070:379 Gender and Power in Africa
01:070:389 Ethnography of Gender in South Asia
ELECTIVE COURSES: three courses required - 9 credits
01:070:111 Extinction
01:070:216 Anthropology and Contemporary Issues
01:070:220 Food and Culture
01:070:222 Sexuality and Eroticism in Global Perspective
01:070:223 Anthropology of Latin America
01:070:225 Gender in Global Perspective
01:070:238 Anthropology of Europe
01:070:243 Anthropology of Africa
01:070:244 Anthropology of South Asia
01:070:246 Anthropology of Southeast Asia
01:070:248 Anthropology of China
01:070:250 Anthropology of the Contemporary United States
01:070:293 Topics in Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology
01:070:301 Psychology and Culture
01:070:302 Culture and the Environment
01:070:303 Wealth and Culture
01:070:304 Political Anthropology
01:070:305 Anthropology of Development
01:070:307 Medical Anthropology
01:070:308 Anthropology of Religion
01:070:309 Visual Anthropology
01:070:311 History of Anthropology
01:070:312 Language and Social Diversity
01:070:317 Method and Analysis in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:318 Reading Ethnographic Writing
01:070:319 Anthropology and Human Rights
01:070:320 Diaspora, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States
01:070:323 Women Writing Culture
01:070:338 Culture, Wealth, and Power in Africa
01:070:365 Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:366 Research Practicum in Law, Justice and Rights in Bolivia
01:070:367 Anthropology Goes to the Movies
01:070:368 Anthropology of Mass Media
01:070:369 The Cultural Political of Nazism
01:070:371 Politics of Culture
01:070:372 Body Politics
01:070:374 Localities and Global Systems
01:070:376 Power and Difference
01:070:378 Anthropology of Gender
01:070:379 Gender and Power in Africa
01:070:380 Culture, Memory, History
01:070:389 Ethnography of Gender in South Asia
01:070:401 Theories in Cultural Anthropology
01:070:406 Rights and Wrongs of Indigenous Peoples
01:070:410 Explanation in Anthropology
01:070:486 Gender, Development, Environment: Policies, Politics, Perspectives
Minor in Evolutionary Anthropology
The Evolutionary Anthropology minor is for students interested in an overview of the diverse approaches and knowledge used by archaeologists, biological anthropologists, cultural anthropologists, paleoanthropologists, geoarchaeologists, and paleoecologists to understand the evolution of human form, physiology, behavior, culture, and ecology, including these aspects of non-human primates.
Total number of required credits: 20 credits.
Required courses include at least 20 credits, of which 6 are at the 300-level or above. All courses applied to this minor must be completed with a grade of C or better. No pass/fail courses will be accepted.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES: 102, 105, AND 204 or 212 – 11 credits
070:102 Introduction to Human Evolution (4)
070:105 Introduction to Archaeology (4)
070:204 Introduction to Social Evolution (3)
070:212 The Life of Primates (3)
ELECTIVE COURSES: 3 courses required – 9 credits, of which 6 are at the 300 level or above
01:070:111 Extinction
01:070:204 Introduction to Social Evolution
01:070:206 Survey of New World Prehistory
01:070:207 Survey of Old World Prehistory
01:070:208 Survey of Historical Archaeology
01:070:210 Approaches to Human Nature
01:070:212 The Life of Primates
01:070:213 Environment and Human Evolution
01:070:215 Survey of Fossil Primates
01:070:240 Introduction to Molecular Evolutionary Anthropology
01:070:294 Topics in Evolutionary Anthropology
01:070:310 Human Aggression
01:070:325 Evolution and Culture
01:070:326 Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:327 Post-Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations
01:070:328 Evolution and Cooperation
01:070:330 Archaeology of Australia
01:070:332 North American Archaeology
01:070:333 Colonial Archaeology
01:070:334 Field Study in Archaeology
01:070:335 Analysis of Archaeological Data
01:070:336 Primatology, Wildlife Ecology, and Conservation in Kenya
01:070:337 Field Methods and Analysis in Primatology in Kenya
01:070:348 Primate Behavioral Ecology
01:070:349 Advanced Physical Anthropology
01:070:350 Primatology and Human Evolution
01:070:354 Functional and Developmental Anatomy of the Primate Skeleton
01:070:355 Laboratory in Skeletal Biology of Primates
01:070:356 Human Variation
01:070:358 Introduction to Human Osteology
01:070:359 Human Osteology Laboratory
01:070:361 Hunters and Gatherers
01:070:364 Sex Roles and Social Structure
01:070:390 Plio-Pleistocene Hominid Anatomy
01:070:391 Lithic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:392 Faunal Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:393 Cultural Resource Management
01:070:394 Microstratigraphic Analysis in Archaeology
01:070:395 Quantification of Archaeological Data
01:070:397 Paleoanthropology
01:070:398 Field Research and Methods in Paleoanthropology
01:070:402 Theories in Physical Anthropology
01:070:404 Advanced Seminar in Archaeology
01:070:412 Topics in African Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:414 Topics in European Prehistory and Paleoanthropology
01:070:420 Evolutionary Genetics: Humans and Other Primates
01:070:426 South African Archaeology
Departmental Honors Program
Students with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade-point average and a 3.4 or better average in anthropology at the end of the junior year may apply for honors in the spring semester of their junior year or the first week of their senior year. Candidates who are accepted spend two semesters during their senior year writing an honors paper under the supervision of a faculty member in anthropology (or another qualified faculty member recommended by the undergraduate director), and take an oral examination on the paper at the end of the senior year. The faculty adviser and one other faculty member will decide the level of honors, if any, after completion of the oral defense.
To apply for the Honors Program, a student must first propose a topic to an appropriate faculty member. The faculty member must agree to supervise the honors project by signing the “Honors in Anthropology” form, which can be found at www.anthro.rutgers.edu, by clicking “undergraduate program”/ “honors.” The completed form is then submitted to the undergraduate director.
