Anthropology, B.A.
The major in Anthropology prepares students to embark on a wide range of careers, to pursue graduate studies, and to continue to learn and achieve in our culturally diverse world. The curriculum develops students’ knowledge and skills, including (1) an understanding of cultural diversity and global relationships; (2) the fundamentals of conducting research and analyzing sources of information through ethnographic and other anthropological techniques; and (3) communication skills in organizing and presenting information in written reports and oral presentations.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Departmental Requirements for the Major
School Requirements must be met and must include 13 courses (50 units) as specified below:
| A. Complete the following: | |
| ANTHRO 2A | Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology |
| B. Select one of the following: | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | |
| Introduction to Language and Culture | |
| C. Select one of the following: | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology 1 | |
| Introduction to Language and Culture 1 | |
| ANTHRO 20A-89 | |
| D. Complete the following: | |
| ANTHRO 100A | Ethnography and Anthropological Methods |
| ANTHRO 100B | Anthropology Careers |
| ANTHRO 101 | Anthropology at UCI |
| ANTHRO 180AW | Anthropology Majors Writing Seminar |
| E. Select six additional elective courses from the following: 2,3 | |
| ANTHRO 120-180AW | |
- 1
If not used to satisfy requirement B.
- 2
ANTHRO 180AW may be taken up to three times as topics vary. If ANTHRO 180AW is used for requirement D, it may not be used toward requirement E.
- 3
If accepted into the Honors Program, ANTHRO H190A-ANTHRO H190W may be used for two of the six elective courses under requirement E.
The three-quarter Honors Program in Anthropology is designed to allow undergraduates to develop and implement an Honors project on a topic of their choice under the guidance of a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology. Research projects may involve assimilating new insights from previously published materials and publicly available data. While not required, it can also involve ethnographic methods, including interviews and participant observation, and/or archaeological methods.
Admission to the program is based on a formal application submitted in spring quarter of the junior year. Please see the Department of Anthropology website for detailed information. Applicants must be Anthropology majors with an overall grade point average of 3.3 and a grade point average of at least 3.5 in Anthropology major courses. Prior completion of, or concurrent enrollment in ANTHRO 100A is required.
During fall quarter, students who are accepted into the Honors program enroll in the first Honors seminar (ANTHRO H190A). In this seminar, students develop their research questions and read relevant scholarly literature. If conducting ethnographic or archaeological research, they also develop and employ methods for data collection and analysis. During this quarter, students must concurrently be enrolled in one unit of ANTHRO 199 with their thesis advisor. During winter quarter, students enroll in four units of ANTHRO 199 with their thesis advisor. In consultation with their advisor, they continue their research and analysis. During spring quarter, students enroll in the second Honors seminar (ANTHRO H190W). In this seminar, students complete their analysis and write an Honors thesis that is typically 40 to 80 pages long. During this quarter, students must concurrently be enrolled in one unit of ANTHRO 199 with their thesis advisor. Honors theses are read and evaluated by the advisor and the Undergraduate Honors Program Director.
The honors seminar series may be used to satisfy two of the courses required under the electives requirement (Requirement E) for both majors.
The faculty encourages Anthropology majors or minors to study abroad and experience a different culture while making progress toward degree objectives. The Study Abroad Center, which includes the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and the International Opportunities Program (IOP), assists students in taking advantage of many worldwide opportunities. For example, UCEAP offers excellent opportunities to study anthropology at many universities abroad; courses taken abroad can be used to fulfill departmental requirement C, D, and E. Study abroad also can provide opportunities for cross-cultural experience, field research, and foreign language training. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides funding for independent field research. See the Study Abroad Center and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program sections of the Catalogue for additional information.