Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog [Current] 
    
2024-2025 General Catalog [Current]

Anthropology (B.A., B.S.)

Location(s): Main Campus



Program Summary

Students pursuing anthropology at SUU will study in a program with a four-field approach that emphasizes anthropology’s dominant sub-disciplines: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and anthropological linguistics. With a curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and sciences tradition, the anthropology program supports the university’s academic mission and core themes by embracing project-based learning, emphasizing experiential and service learning inside and outside of the classroom, and preparing students for life in an increasingly diverse and multicultural world. By the end of their course of study students will master research, critical thinking and reasoning, scientific and quantitative literacy, ethical reasoning, intercultural competence, and oral and written communication skills. Through courses dealing with human evolution, prehistoric culture change, sociolinguistics, and the cultural and biological diversity of contemporary humans, students will study the incredible biological and cultural diversity that characterizes the human species and learn to question ethnocentric beliefs, attitudes, and prejudices.

Program Information

  • All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the major.
  • Students must earn a minimum 2.5 GPA in their Anthropology courses to graduate in the major.
  • Some of the requirements fulfilled at other institutions may transfer to SUU and count toward the major with the approval of the Department Chair.
  • A minimum of 18 credit hours, including the capstone project, must be completed at SUU.
  • Students may apply up to six (6) credits of ANTH 4960 - Archaeology Field Methods  to the Anthropology major electives.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)


See General Education  for course options.

  • Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
  • Breadth Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Breadth Area requirements.

Bachelor’s Degree Type: Arts or Science Requirement (12* or 16** Credits)


Select one degree type from either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)


  • Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the B.S. requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education  Core and Breadth Areas. Because of this, these credits are typically not counted in the degree total at the bottom of page. Some students majoring in non-science fields may need additional math/science courses to reach the minimum 12 credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

or

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirement (16 Credits**)


  • Bachelor of Arts Degree - Foreign Language Requirement 16 Credits

** Note: One semester of a foreign language may also fulfill the General Education  Humanities requirement. The 16 credits may be fulfilled by taking four semesters of a foreign language or by testing out of a language and purchasing the credits. These credits are typically counted in the degree total at the bottom of the page. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

Anthropology Curriculum (36 Credits)


Elective Courses (18 Credits)


  • 18 credits of upper-division Anthropology

Free Electives (33-57 Credits)


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.A./B.S. Degree: 120


Program Learning Outcomes


  • Students will understand, describe, and critically assess anthropological/archaeological theories, principles, and concepts.
  • Students will understand, describe, and critically assess the role of culture and social structures in shaping individual lives.
  • Students will understand, describe, and critically assess inequalities based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexualities, immigration status, etc.
  • Students will understand, describe, and critically assess methods used in anthropological and/or archaeological research.
  • Students will apply anthropological/archaeological concepts and methods.
  • Students will design ethical anthropological/archaeological research.
  • Students will analyze personal experiences (inclusive of educational experiences) using the anthropological/archaeological imagination.