Anthropology Major (B.A.)

Anthropology asks the question: What does it mean to be human? We answer this fundamental query with a global perspective on the human condition as students explore both the similarity and diversity of human experience. Through courses that cover a wide range of societies throughout the world, we investigate the human condition, past and present. Introductory courses provide an overview of the fields of anthropology: social and cultural anthropology, archeology, physical anthropology and linguistics. More advanced courses provide the opportunity for students to pursue intensive study of particular topics in cross-cultural perspective. The department emphasizes critical thinking and writing skills and encourages close faculty/student contact in seminar courses and at the upper level. Students, in consultation with their academic adviser, have the opportunity to take courses in other departments that complement specific foci in anthropology.

At this time of increasing globalization, anthropology provides students with a broad overview of diverse peoples and cultures. Majors are therefore well prepared to live in a rapidly changing world. The major both prepares students for graduate-level studies and serves as a foundation for a wide range of careers. With backgrounds in anthropology, our students become teachers, social workers, public policy experts, forensic investigators, health practitioners, primatologists, international business executives, and community and economic development specialists, as well as pursuing various other careers.

To declare a major in anthropology, students must have completed at least one introductory level anthropology course at the 400 or 500 level with a grade of C or better.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Majors must complete a minimum of 40 credits in anthropology with grades of C or better and in accordance with the below requirements. The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

(Note: While 8 credits, ANTH #699 Senior Thesis and ANTH 699H Honors Senior Thesis count only as one ANTH 600-level course requirement.)

The Discovery Program capstone requirement may be fulfilled by completing one 700-level course (seminar format).

Other courses, internships, or experiences may be substituted with the permission of the student's adviser and anthropology department chair.

Anthropology majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement. Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement. American Sign Language may not be applied toward the foreign language requirement.

Honors-in-major and senior thesis options are available.

Students declaring the major in anthropology are expected to make steady progress toward fulfillment of major requirements. Typically, this means taking at least one anthropology course per semester until all of the requirements have been met. A student who has fulfilled most of the major requirements may request an exception to this policy from their advisor.

Below is a general degree plan that we recommend anthropology majors follow as they plan their course schedules for their major course requirements over their four years at UNH. This general plan provides a recommended pace and appropriate order for the core courses offered in the major.

• Demonstrate ability to conduct anthropological research: to collect primary and secondary source data in the observation, documentation, or excavation of human actions, languages, remains, and or material artifacts.
• Master the ability to write with an anthropological lens: to critically analyze data with respect to historical and current anthropological theories and perspectives, and to construct persuasive arguments.
• Exhibit skills in presentation of anthropological research: in writing (ethnography, technical reports, and other genres), inter-personal and public speaking, and or data visualization (graphic illustration, exhibition, mapping, or modeling, for example).
• Demonstrate the knowledge or ability to collaborate with research partners and communities as part of a commitment to public, applied, engaged, or activist anthropology and archaeology.
• Demonstrate the ability to think comparatively about diversity and inequality across the global as well as within a specific social context, and to apply anthropological methods, perspectives, and theories to the world around them.