Anthropology Minor
This minor introduces the student to anthropology, the comparative and holistic study of people. It explores the biological, social, and cultural aspects of our species in the past, present, and future. Anthropology attempts to integrate knowledge of human beings and their activities at the highest and most inclusive level. Anthropologists study the patterning of human behaviors, as well as the conditions under which they arise, persist, or disappear, in the belief that the knowledge gained from this perspective may be applied to the solution of problems of everyday life in different cultures. It provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Minor Requirements (20 credits) | ||
ISANTH-110 | Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
ISANTH-111 | Archaeology & Biological Anth | 4 |
Select three 300-level or above ANTH/ISANTH electives | 12 | |
Total Credits | 20 |
Upon completion of the Anthropology Minor, students will be able to:
- Define anthropology and distinguish it from other disciplines in the social sciences.
- demonstrate the ability to use anthropological concepts to understand important ways in which peoples and cultures in the world vary from each other and are similar.
- Recognize the value of anthropology.
- Demonstrate their understanding of the fundamental ways in which cultures are similar and different from each other.
- Demonstrate their awareness of basic theoretical explanations for cultural similarities and differences.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of how to do cultural anthropological research.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the biological and cultural changes and adaptations that occurred in Homo sapiens sapiens and their primate precursors to form humankind as it now exists.
- Demonstrate the ability to think reflexively about their particular worldview(s) from a variety of perspectives so they can better understand their orientation to the world.
- Demonstrate a rudimentary ability to collect and analyze ethnographic data.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of how archaeological data are collected and analyzed.
- Identify, interpret and compare diverse cultural beliefs and customs.
- Challenge ethnocentric notions and practices that lead to gross inequalities of opportunity and treatment in social life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of particular cultures, including non-Western cultures, as adaptive and meaningful systems.
- Demonstrate a recognition of the importance of global, multicultural, and gender-sensitive perspectives.
- Discuss the significance of race, class, gender, and culture as organizing concepts in anthropology.
- Apply theory to explicate cultural phenomena.