Anthropology  {SF State Bulletin 2015 - 2016}

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Anthropology

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Andrew Harris

 

Department of Anthropology

FA 525
Phone: 415-338-2046
Website: http://anthropology.sfsu.edu

Chair: James Quesada
Undergraduate Coordinator: Cynthia Wilczak
Graduate Coordinator: Douglass Bailey

 

Faculty

Professors: Bailey, Biella, Soh, Quesada
Associate Professors: Griffin, Wilczak
Adjunct Faculty: Caldararo, Tully

 

Programs:

B.A. in Anthropology

Minor in Anthropology

M.A. in Anthropology

 

 

Program Scope

Anthropology is the study of humankind over time and place. Undergraduates majoring in anthropology are exposed to a multi-field approach that examines current cultures, the study of remains of past societies, study of human evolution and variation, all with an aim of further understanding what it means to be human.

 

The Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology is designed to serve the needs of students who do not plan to continue their training beyond the baccalaureate level, as well as those who intend to pursue graduate study leading to the M.A. or Ph.D. in anthropology or in another academic discipline.

 

The Master of Arts in Anthropology is offered for those who plan to continue their graduate work elsewhere toward the doctorate as well as those who plan to terminate their training at the master's level and seek employment or obtain a teaching credential.

 

Career Outlook

Anthropological skills are important for careers in public and private sector social services, health, community organizing and advocacy, cultural resource management, urban planning, international economic development, culturally-focused mass media, environmental assessment, education, social work, investigative journalism, and public policy. The principal goals of the department are: (1) to provide an enriched vision of humanity and culture around the globe as well as an increased sensitivity to our everyday experiences of cultural and ethnic diversity, and (2) to train students who choose to pursue careers in teaching, research, and applied fields at the M.A. level, as well providing a solid basis for those who plan to pursue a doctoral degree.

 

Complementary Studies

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology must complete at least 12 units of complementary studies from courses outside the primary prefix for the major, and not cross listed with the primary prefix for the major. Students who complete a 2nd major, a minor, or a minimum of 12 units in an approved Study Abroad program, automatically complete the Complementary Studies requirement and units may be double counted toward the major where applicable.

 

Other options for complementary studies are: 1) Foreign Language: 12 units in a single foreign language; or 2) Related Subjects: 12 units of course work in related disciplines with the approval of an Anthropology Department advisor. Related disciplines typically included courses in the College of Ethnic Studies, Classics, Geology, Geography, Sexuality Studies, Sociology, History, Language Studies, and Women and Gender Studies. Up to 6 units may be double counted in fulfillment of the University-wide elective units for the major. Units may be upper division, lower division, transfer or resident units.

 

Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

The undergraduate program is built around a core of courses designed to provide a broad base of knowledge in the field. Courses in several areas give concentrated preparation for careers or graduate training in anthropology.

 

No subfield concentration is required for the baccalaureate degree in anthropology. However, several sequences of courses are recommended for students who want to concentrate in a particular subfield. Majors are required to meet with an advisor every fall semester to discuss the most appropriate course sequence.

 

Students are also encouraged to meet with an advisor early in their college career in order to discuss Study Abroad options in consultation with the Office of International Programs.

 

  • ANTH 305 GW: Writing Anthropology - GWAR must be completed with a grade of C or better before enrolling in other upper division courses.
  • At least one upper division course in Area 1, Area 2, or electives, must be taken in each of the three subfields: biological, cultural/visual, and archaeology.
  • The university-wide electives must be pre-approved by an advisor to qualify as credits toward the major.
  • No more than 6 units can be taken in internships (ANTH 695), independent study (ANTH 699), and teaching (ANTH 685) combined.
  • Courses taken in fulfillment of major requirements must be taken for a letter grade (no CR/NC).

 

Anthropology Major (B.A.) — 39 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Foundation Core (Required Courses) (15 units)

Area 1: Theory and Foundations (3 units)

Choose one course.

Area 2: Methods and Practicum (3 units)

Choose one course.(Students may choose 6 units from Area 2 and reduce the number of anthropology electives to 9 units.)

Electives in Anthropology (12 units)

Upper division units selected from any courses with the ANTH prefix, including those from the two areas that have not been used to fulfill the area requirements.

University-wide Electives (6 units)

Upper division courses taken by advisement in anthropology or related fields. Students must have advisor approval for courses they want to apply to the major.

*Note: A minimum of 40 upper division units must be completed for the degree (including upper division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). Students completing this major may not reach the required number of upper division units required for graduation. Additional upper division courses may be needed to reach the required total.

 

Minor in Anthropology

Anthropology Minor — 18 - 19 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated

Core Requirements — 9 units

Theory requirement — 3 - 4 units

Select one.

Electives in Anthropology — 6 units

Select additional upper division courses with the ANTH prefix.

Master of Arts in Anthropology

Admission to Program

The Department accepts applications for fall and spring semester enrollments. The deadline for application for admission to enroll for the fall is the first day of the preceding March. The deadline for application to enroll in the spring semester is the first day of the preceding November. In addition to these formal deadlines, the Department accepts, reviews, and makes decisions on applications on a rolling basis through the calendar year.

 

While we welcome applications from students with a wide range of experiences and a diversity of undergraduate degrees, we recommend that applicants have a BA or BSc in Anthropology or an allied field. Students enrolling without an anthropology degree may be required to take the following prerequisite classes: ANTH 100, ANTH 110, ANTH 120, ANTH 300, ANTH 301, and ANTH 302, or equivalents. Students may satisfy the prerequisite requirement by having taken similar classes at the undergraduate level at their undergraduate or other institution. Prerequisite course work will not count toward the degree and may not be included on the ATC.

 

Application for admission consists of two-part process, which must be completed simultaneously by the deadline to be considered for admission: the first made to the University; the second made to the DepartmentThe University application is submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies through CSU Mentor https://secure.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/grad_apply.asp. The Anthropology Department application is made via the department’s on-line document submission page http://anthropology.sfsu.edu/content/apply, and consists of the following elements:

  • One-page Curriculum Vitae;
  • Statement of Purpose (500-word max.);
  • Two Letters of Recommendation;
  • Writing Sample;
  • Official Transcripts;
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; and
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if necessary.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

Level One: A score of 4.0 or above on the analytical writing section of the GRE.
Level Two: Completion of the M.A. thesis (ANTH 898); or completion of the written component of the MA Creative Work Project (ANTH 894).

 

Classified Graduate Status

All graduate students are admitted to the program with conditionally classified status. To attain classified status, graduate students must meet the following:

  • Completion of prerequisite coursework (if any).
  • Completion of ANTH 710 with a grade of B or above.
  • Satisfaction of the Graduate Foreign Language Requirement, or completion of ANTH 652 with a grade of B or above.

 

Anthropology (M.A.) — 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated

All students must complete the following courses and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above:

Core — 15 units

Research Skills

Electives — 8 – 12 units

To reach the minimum number of units required for the degree, students must:

  • Take graduate elective classes (numbered 700 and above) selected from those offered in the Anthropology Department or, with approval, from other departments at SF State.
  • Students are advised to take ANTH 899 Independent Study (1, 2 or 3 units) as part of their area of specialization. Students may take ANTH 899 no more than twice for a maximum total of 6 units.
  • With approval, students may take upper division undergraduate classes.

NOTE: no more than 30% (9 units) of undergraduate course work may be included on the ATC. (Prerequisite course work may not be included on the ATC.)

Language/Statistics Requirement — 0 – 4 units

Grade of B or above required.

Culminating Experience — 3 units

 

 

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