The Undergraduate Anthropology Program emphasizes the commitment of this department to four-field anthropology, providing exposure to Sociocultural Anthropology, Archeology, Linguistic and Biological Anthropology. As a discipline, anthropology investigates both the biological and the sociocultural aspects of humanity in all its diversity. This holistic approach serves Anthropology's intellectual goal to achieve a comprehensive and comparative understanding of humanity.
Anthropology can be an important component of a liberal education, complementing a wide variety of fields. While the undergraduate concentration program provides an excellent foundation for more advanced work in anthropology, it is not intended to be solely a preprofessional program. Many of our concentrators pursue advanced degrees in other disciplines, such as law, medicine, social work, public health and history. Others find a concentration or coursework in anthropology helpful in government service or in a variety of international organizations and businesses. A number of our concentrators choose to combine an anthropology concentration with a second field of study. We also offer minors in the sub-disciplines of anthropology. The Undergraduate Advisor will provide interested students with information and guidance in planning a concentration or minor, and is always happy to discuss the ways that anthropology can contribute to various goals.
Concentrations in Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology offers two undergraduate concentration programs, Anthropology and Anthropology/Zoology, a joint program with the biology department. A third concentration, Social Anthropology is a joint program whose home department is Sociology. It is designed to acquaint students with both sociological and anthropological perspectives, theories and methods. Its focus is united by these fields' joint interest in social organization and culture. Interested students should contact the Sociology Department and may also speak with the general anthropology advisor.
The Anthropology Concentration
Within the anthropology
concentration students may specialize in one of the sub-disciplines:
sociocultural anthropology, archeology, linguistic anthropology or biological
anthropology. However, students are required to take course-work in each of the
four fields and are encouraged to view their specialization within the context
of culture theory and the field as a whole.
Biological Anthropology considers areas such as human evolutionary history, the
causes of present-day genetic diversity, the possible biological bases of human
behavior, and the social behavior of nonhuman primates. It draws on the
evidence and concepts of various other disciplines, including biology,
paleontology, and ecology.
Sociocultural anthropology focuses on the sociocultural systems of human societies. The core of sociocultural anthropology is the detailed participation in and observation of living groups of people. Traditionally, anthropologists concentrated on societies very different from their own, but many also choose to examine social groups in industrialized societies, including the United States.
Archaeology studies the sociocultural systems of past societies through its focus on their material remains, including tools, buildings, animal and plant remains, and pottery. Through such analysis, archaeologists formulate explanations for social persistence and change.
Linguistic Anthropology examines the ways in which people negotiate, contest, and reproduce cultural forms and social relations through language, and the ways in which language provides insights into the nature and evolution of culture.
Anthropology can provide unique insights into the human condition. Interested students should contact the Undergraduate Advisor at 764-7274 for further information.
Requirements of the Anthropology Concentration
30 hours of coursework beyond the 100-level are required, 15 of which must be completed in residence at the University of Michigan unless approved by the undergraduate advisor. (Note: Students declaring in the Fall term 2005 or after are required to complete 30 credit hours. Anyone who declared prior to Fall 2005 is required to complete 27 credit hours).
At least one class in each of the four sub-disciplines (Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, Sociocultural, and Linguistic-Anthropology) must be taken. (Anthropology 161 may count toward fulfilling the Biological Anthropology requirement although it does not count towards the 30 credits. Students should be aware that classes taken in Classical Archaeology and Linguistics do not fulfill this requirement unless they are cross-listed with the Anthropology Department).
The remaining credit hours may be distributed within anthropology according to the student's chosen area of specialization and interests. Note that the University does not permit more than 60 hours of coursework in the concentration. Courses in the concentration may not be taken pass/fail.
No more than 3 hours of independent reading or research (Anth. 471, 499) count toward this 30 hour requirement. This does not imply that a student may not take more than three hours of independent work within the department.
All concentrators should take at least one seminar course. These classes are smaller, less formally structured, and involve more student participation than do the lecture courses. A list of regularly offered seminar courses is available in the department.
Students primarily interested in sociocultural anthropology are recommended to take at least one course in each of the following categories: regional, topical, and theory/method. (Classes are divided by category in the LSA bulletin or in the undergraduate course type handout available in the department).
Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to take the following sequence of theory courses (especially those who plan to go on to graduate school or complete an honors thesis): Anthrcul 330, Culture, Thought, & Meaning; and either Anthrcul 331, Kinship, Social Organization, and Society; or Anthrcul 332, Exchange, Commodities, and Money; or both.
For students majoring in anthropology who plan to focus on archaeology, we strongly recommend that they take the following sequence of courses:
1. Anthrarc 282: Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology
2. Anthrarc 385: Archaeology of Early Humans
3. Anthrarc 386: Early Civilizations
The goal of these three courses is to give students a general introduction to anthropological archaeology and an overview of world prehistory.
In addition to these three courses, students are encouraged to take at least two area courses: one that examines the archaeological record in the New World and one focused on the Old World.
It is strongly recommended that all concentrators include at least two cognates in their program, although this is not required. Cognates are classes outside of the concentration which, combined with classes in anthropology, give students a broader perspective on the issues and topics that interest them. For example, a student interested in a particular region of the world will find classes in the area studies programs, sociology, or history that will be useful to them in pursuing their academic career. A student interested in a particular topic, such as religion, education, development or ecological issues, will find courses in other departments that supplement classes taken in anthropology. Students interested in topics in biological anthropology may be interested in exploring classes in biology, geology, or psychology, to name a few possibilities. Similarly archaeology students may want to take classes in history, the area programs, or botany. Your advisor can help you develop a coherent program, including the use of cognates.
Cognates do not count toward the 30 credits.
The Anthropology/Zoology Concentration
Anthropology-Zoology is a joint concentration, requiring courses from the
biology and Anthropology departments. It combines anthropological and
zoological perspectives in the study of humans and related species. It is
particularly appropriate for students planning to continue in the health
sciences and for students interested in "whole organism" biology and
ecology. Thus, many Anthro-Zoo concentrators are pre-med, while others are
planning to pursue careers in Natural Resource Management, Conservation, Animal
Behavior and a variety of other fields. The concentration is comprised of
courses in Biological Anthropology and in Biology; no courses in other
sub-disciplines of anthropology are required. Because evolutionary biology is
its primary theoretical orientation, with less emphasis placed on the cultural
orientation of Anthropology, Anthro-Zoo differs from Biological Anthropology
within the Anthropology concentration. In contrast, the Biological Anthropology
concentration is grounded within four-field anthropology and has a stronger
focus on the role of culture in human evolution and biological variation.
Interested students should contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the
Anthropology Department.
Requirements of the Anthropology/Zoology Concentration
Biology 162 or 195 (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite. Anthropology 161 is recommended if elected during the first or second years of college. Juniors and seniors without prior coursework in biological anthropology should elect Anthropology 361 and/or 365.
The concentration requires 32 credits distributed as follows:
A. Anthropology. A minimum of four of the courses
listed below, at least two of which must be at the 400 level or above and at
least two of the three groups must be represented.
1. Evolution, Paleontology, Morphology:
351 Modern Human Origins
360 Race and Human Evolution (May also count toward group 3)
365 Human Evolution
564 Hominid Origins
565 Evolution of Genus Homo
566 Lab in Human Osteology
2. Primatology, Ecology, Behavior:
361 Biology, Society, and Culture
368 Primate Social Behavior
467 Human Behavioral Ecology
560 Human Reproductive
Ecology
562 Human Nature
568 Primate Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
3. Genetics, Growth,
Adaptation, Race:
362 Problems of Race
364 Nutrition and Evolution
450/451 Molecular Anthropology/Lab
452 Population Genetics & Anthropology
461 Genetic Basis of Human Evolution
462 Ecological and Genetic Variation in Human Populations
469 (Topics In Biological Anthropology) can be counted in the appropriate group
563 Human Adaptation
B. Zoology. A minimum of three biology courses
representing three of the groups below.
1. Biochemistry
Biology 310 Introductory Biochemistry
Biology 311 Introductory Biochemistry
BiolChem 415 Biological Chemistry
2. Physiology
Biology 225/226 Principles of Animal Physiology
3. Genetics and Development
Biology 305 Genetics
MCDB 307/308 Introductory Developmental Biology
MCDB 406 Molecular Genetics of Plant Development
4. Biology of Vertebrates
Biology 252 Chordate Anatomy
EEB/Environ 451 Biology of Mammals
5. Ecology and Evolution
EEB 281 General Ecology
Biology 390 Evolution
EEB 492 Behavioral Ecology
Remaining classes for the concentration are approved by the undergraduate advisor.
Requirements of the Social Anthropology Concentration
Prerequisites: Anthropology
101 or 222 and Sociology 100, 109, or 400.
Requirements: At least 36 credits from anthropology and sociology distributed
as follows:
A. Anthropology: Six
courses in sociocultural anthropology, including at least one regional,
topical, and theory/method course.
B. Sociology: 210 (elementary statistics), 310 (Research Methods), and four
other courses. At least one of these courses must be from those listed under
the heading general sociology chosen with approval of the concentration
advisor.
Interested students should contact the Sociology Department and may also speak with the general anthropology advisor.
Students
who feel they are qualified for Honors should discuss the program with the
honors advisor in the subdiscipline in which the student is most interested.
This is normally done in the second semester of the junior year, but it can be
done at any time up to the beginning of the senior year.
Students in the Honors Program will undertake a project during their senior
year under the supervision of a member of the faculty by enrolling in Anthrbio
398 (bioanthro), Anthrcul 398 (sociocultural), or Anthrarc 398 (archaeology).
Most often this will take the form of an original paper of greater scope than
is possible in an ordinary term paper, and it will give the student experience
in conducting and writing up his or her own research. Honor students in
Archaeology generally do research with the anthropology museum collections.
Sociocultural and linguistic anthropology students should plan on doing some
participant observation or other field research. Biological anthropology
students should discuss research opportunities with their advisor. ***Students
interested in completing the Honors Program in Sociocultural anthropology
are strongly encouraged to take the following sequence of theory courses:
Anthrcul 330, Culture, Thought, & Meaning; and either Anthrcul 331,
Kinship, Social Organization, and Society; or Anthrcul 332, Exchange,
Commodities, and Money; or both.***
The honors program, like the seminars, offers a substantially different kind of
experience from the typical lecture course. Students who qualify (3.5 g.p.a.)
are encouraged to participate in the honors program. Even those who have not
participated earlier may participate during the senior year and thus have the
opportunity to work on a senior project.
Anthropology at the University of Michigan emphasizes four-field training. Our concentrators gain
anthropological understanding of the human condition through exposure to
Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archeology and Linguistic
Anthropology and their many interrelationships.
However many students take our courses to supplement other concentrations or
out of general interest and have less need for four-field training. A minor in
anthropology or biological anthropology may benefit these students, providing
structure to their course elections in anthropology, and allowing thoughtful
integration of anthropology into their academic plans. The department therefore
offers three minors: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, and
Medical Anthropology. In conjunction with the Undergraduate advisor students may
choose "tracks" within the Cultural Anthropology Minor, depending
upon their interests.
Minor in Cultural
Anthropology
The sub-disciplines of anthropology and areas within archeology are natural
complements to many concentrations. The minor in Cultural Anthropology will
allow students with particular regional or topical interests to add an anthropological
perspective to their studies, whether sociocultural, linguistic or
archeological. Students may choose a track within cultural anthropology that
emphasizes Sociocultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, The Archeology
of Early Civilizations or Prehistoric Archeology. The minor requires a minimum
of 16 credit hours distributed in one of the tracks below.
1. Sociocultural Anthropology:
1) One introduction to
Anthropology: Anthrcul 101 or 222.
2) One upper-level course in anthropological theory from those listed under
Sociocultural - Theory/Method in the LS&A Bulletin.
3) Three courses to be decided together with the advisor. At least one must be
at the 400-level. One must be a regional course.
2. Linguistic Anthropology:
1) One introductory Anthropology
course should be taken. Anthrcul 101 is recommended.
2) Anthrcul 272.
3) Three upper-level courses in Linguistic Anthropology, chosen from the
courses listed under "Linguistic Anthropology" in the LSA bulletin.
3. Anthropological Archaeology:
1) ANTHRARC 282.
2) ANTHRARC 385 or 386
3) Three additional regularly offered courses in anthropological archaeology, two of which must be 300-level or above, chosen from ANTHRARC 258, 285, 283, 284, 381, 382, 383, 385, 386, 392, 394, 407, 442, 482, 484, 490, or 495.
4) Other less regularly taught courses in anthropological archaeology may also be used. Consult the undergraduate advisor for more information. Field courses (ANTHRARC 400 or 487) and Independent Reading and Research (ANTHRARC 499) may not be used toward the academic minor.
Minor in Biological Anthropology
The minor in Biological Anthropology allows students with interests in evolutionary biology or medicine to add an anthropological perspective to their studies. Many students are interested in specific topics covered by Biological anthropology, such as Human Evolution, the Evolution of Human Behavior, Primatology, Nutrition and Adaptation, Human Genetics, etc. Thus, a minor in biological anthropology offers several "tracks" to students depending on their interests. An appropriate plan should be worked out and filed with the Undergraduate Advisor when the minor is declared.
Description: An academic minor in Biological Anthropology requires at least 16 hours distributed as follows:
1. Anthrbio 161:
Introduction to Biological Anthropology is required.
2. At least four upper-level courses in biological anthropology, chosen in
conjunction with a designated academic advisor. At least one must be at the
400-level or above.
Minor in Medical Anthropology
Recommended Prerequisite: Anthrcul 101 or 222.
Requirements: At least 16 credits from courses to be chosen from the following categories as stated:
The minor must include at least 2 courses at the 300-level or above.
Anthropology Club: The Anthropology club is a group of students interested in anthropology who meet on a regular basis for a variety of activities. Some of the possible events are informal talks with faculty members, movies, and field trips. It is organized by the members, with some help from the Anthropology Advisor and the Undergrad Student Services Associate. It meets on a bi-weekly basis. Please call 764-7274 for exact dates and times, or check the News & Events section of the website. Please come, even if you can't stay for entire meeting. It's a great place to meet new people, get new ideas, learn about career opportunities, graduate schools and lots of other things. It's always fun to meet others with like interests! You don't need to be a concentrator to come! Free pizza and refreshments provided!
Titiev Library: The Mischa Titiev Library of Anthropology was established in 1976 and is located in 211 West Hall. The library has a basic collection of anthropology books in all the subdisciplines as well as a collection of professional journals. It is open to all students enrolled in anthropology classes and faculty of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Often professors will put class materials on reserve in this library. Hours vary from semester to semester.
A.G. Ruthven Museums
Library: The
Museums library contains publications related especially to natural history and
systematics. The anthropology section is housed in the Museum of Anthropology (on the fourth floor). Other sections of interest to anthropology students include
a Mammalogy Library on living primates and a Paleontology Library containing
works on fossil primates. These are housed on the second floor of the A.G.
Ruthven Museum.
Museum of Anthropology: The Museum of Anthropology is a
University unit separate from the Department and is administered by the
Director of the Museum. There is a close collaboration between the Museum of Anthropology and the Department of Anthropology. All members of the curatorial
staff of the Museum offer instruction through, and hold academic appointments
in, the Department of Anthropology. The collections and laboratory facilities
of the Museum of Anthropology are made available to qualified students in the
Department for purposes of instruction and research.
The Museum has extensive collections on the ethnology and archeology of the
Great Lakes Region and of the Eastern United States. Other major collections
include archaeological and ethnological material of the American Southwest, Mexico, and South America, materials from Japan, China and Tibet and considerable archaeological,
ethnological and skeletal material from the Philippines. There are smaller
representative collections on the anthropology of Africa, Oceania, and Europe.
Advising: Advisors are available to help you with your concentration. Contact the Department of Anthropology at (734) 764-7274 for an appointment or for current walk-in hours. This office also has files of information on careers open to anthropology majors and how to prepare for them, internships, study abroad, field schools and applying to graduate programs in anthropology.
Study Abroad, Field school, and Internships: Anthropology students can benefit a great deal from experiential programs such as field schools, internships, and study abroad. The International Center, Career Planning and Placement, Office of International Programs, and anthropology undergraduate advising in 101 West Hall can all help you locate these opportunities. In addition, the University, through the department, offers an archaeology field school in New Mexico, and upper Michigan. There is information available in the Museum (4009) on a large variety of archaeological field schools.
Work Study: The Anthropology department has openings for work study students in the office and the Titiev Library. Concentrators who qualify may wish to apply for these.
Talks: The department sponsors public talks and lectures, both formal and informal, throughout the Fall and Winter terms. Students are welcome to attend.