Anthropology is the only discipline that investigates the nature of humanity both culturally and biologically in all parts of the earth. Anthropology is also the only field that studies humankind both in its current context and throughout humanity’s long history. Because of these features, Anthropology is crucial to knowing who we are as a species and how to shape our response to the future. Anthropology is a scientific study of humans that is holistic and cross-cultural. Through anthropology a student achieves a broad understanding of human biological and cultural adaptations. This perspective includes an understanding of cultural diversity in our own society, in our world at large, and in the past.
The Anthropology Standard Major provides students with a challenging, scholarly educational experience. Training in archaeology, physical anthropology, and cultural anthropology involves classroom, laboratory, and field work. Students majoring in Anthropology at Western apply information from the classroom as they participate in field studies. Majors are required to attend an Anthropology field school. The field school gives students hands-on field experience in anthropology. Laboratory skills are an important feature of the Anthropology curriculum, and students have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty.
Students with Bachelors’ degrees in Anthropology may find rewarding work in nonprofit organizations, the private sector, academia, and local, state, and federal government positions as well as occupying specific roles such as historic site curators, cultural resource managers, and health care. Students majoring in Anthropology have used this experience to further careers in archaeology, cultural anthropology, forensics, and law enforcement, teaching, community planning, international business, and governmental research. With additional graduate work, specialized careers in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and physical anthropology are possible.
Program Goals
- Understanding culture as the distinguishing phenomenon of human life, and the relationship of human biology and evolution.
- Awareness of human diversity and the ways humans have categorized diversity.
- Knowledge of the significant findings of archaeology, cultural anthropology, and physical anthropology, and familiarity of the important issues in each sub-discipline
- Knowledge of the history of anthropological thought and its place in modern intellectual history
- Ability to access various forms of anthropological data and literature.
- Awareness of importance and value of anthropological knowledge in contemporary society, and the ability to apply it to social issues.
- Knowledge of the research methods of the sub-disciplines of anthropology, and the ability to apply at least appropriate research methods in at least one sub-discipline.
- Ability to present and communicate anthropological knowledge and the results of anthropological research to different audiences.
- Knowledge of political and ethical implications of social research
Programs
Capstone Course Requirement
The following course in the Anthropology Major fulfills the capstone course requirement: ANTH 465 Senior Research Seminar.
Anthropology Courses
A general introduction to anthropology. All three sub-fields of modern anthropology:cultural anthropology (archaeology and ethnography), physical anthropology, and linguistics are covered. GT-SS3
An introduction to biological anthropology, the holistic study of human biological variation and their bio-cultural adaptations to their environments. The class covers such topics as anthropological studies of genetics, non-human primate studies, human evolution, and human variation. Additional course fee applies. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
A study of the methods and theory of modern archaeology. The emphasis is on how archaeologists understand the past. A general chronology of world prehistory is presented. Additional course fee applies. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
An exploration of ethnographic theory and methods, and a cross-cultural and comparative examination of societies studied by ethnographers. Additional course fee applies. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
An examination of key perspectives, theories, and methods in the study of ecological anthropology. Students learn about the use and definition of the environment by groups from different cultural backgrounds, and build a comparative perspective in so doing. The focus is on contemporary groups, but archaeological examples are used as comparison and to build time-depth in our understanding of cultural ecology. Prerequisite:ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
A lab course training students in analytical methods in anthropology. Students areresponsible for a major project in which they carry out all phases of anthropologicalresearch, including research design, background research, hypothesis, analysis, and presentation of results. Materials studied include lithics, fauna, ceramics, and botanical remains. An excellent preparation for (or follow-up to) the Archaeological Field School. Prerequisite: ANTH 219 or instructor permission.
A detailed look at the archaeological sequences of Colorado with an emphasis on western Colorado. Time periods from Paleo-Indian to Historic are described. This course is a recommended preparatory course for the Archaeological Field School in Colorado or the Archaeological Field Trip. Prerequisite: ANTH 219 or instructor permission.
A detailed look at the native people found in North America and their relationships to each other and the non-native settlers of North America. Several case studies are examined in depth. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
An examination of medical systems from various cultural groups, focusing on beliefs, methods of healing, health practitioners, and medical pluralism. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
A comprehensive investigation of prehistoric Maya culture. Throughout the course of class lectures and classroom discussions, students will gain an appreciation of the dynamic and integrated nature of Maya culture and will understand how its different components are combined within the larger framework of Maya life. Fundamentally, students are required to learn the culture history of the ancient Maya and are also expected to gain an understanding of 'HOW' and 'WHY' the ancient Maya behaved in the ways that they did. Prerequisite: ANTH 107 or instructor permission.
A field study of archaeological and ethnographic cultures in the western United States. Students camp and tour ancient sites, modern Native American towns, and anthropological museums. This course may be taken for a maximum of six credits.
Cultural resource management (CRM) is an interdisciplinary and professional discipline whose practitioners utilize a combination of historical, architectural, and archaeological investigations in compliance with federal, state and local regulations requiring the identification, preservation, and/or mitigation of cultural resources. This course provides important specialized knowledge for students who may seek careers in archaeology, history, or historic preservation. CRM is the archaeology, history, and historic preservation research conducted in response to Federal, State, and Local laws. The course takes a topical approach, and will explore how archaeologists, historians, and historic preservationists operate within the CRM industry.
A study of the history and intellectual growth of anthropology is paired with individual work on student projects, which employ theory and methods discussed in class. Students present their work to the university community. Prerequisite: Senior standing; or instructor permission.
A field experience in cultural anthropology in which students are immersed in the culture, traditions, and lifeways of a group of people, learning methods of inquiry and anthropological perspectives through hands-on experiences. This course may be taken for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite: ANTH 230 or instructor permission.
A field-experience course in which students learn and perform proper fieldtechniques. Some laboratory work may be involved. This course is offered during the summer session and may be taken for a maximum of eight credits. Additional course fee applies. Prerequisites: ANTH 219 or instructor permission.