Undergraduate Programs

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Anthropology, the holistic, comparative study of human diversity, consists of four subfields: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. The BA/BS degrees develop student knowledge of these four subfields, their theories, methods, applications, and relevance to understanding  global human diversity with an emphasis on the cultures, people, and social issues of Alaska and the Circumpolar North.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a familiarity with the development of anthropological thought and the contemporary concepts, theories, and application of the four subfields.
  • Use anthropological perspectives to describe the past and present cultural diversity of Alaska and analyze contemporary social topics in the Circumpolar North.
  • Identify ethical principles that guide anthropological practice and ethical issues encountered in anthropological research.
  • Exhibit proficiency in documenting, evaluating, and communicating anthropological information.
  • Explain how to apply anthropological methods and techniques to research questions and practical social problems.

Anthropology is the holistic, comparative study of human diversity. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology provides students with a solid foundation in the contemporary theory, practice and application of the discipline and an understanding of global human diversity with a special emphasis on the cultures, lifeways and contemporary social issues of Alaska and the Circumpolar North. The program prepares students in intercultural fluency, critical thinking and research skills through coursework, applied research experiences and fieldwork. Graduates find opportunities in education, health care, museums, social services, international development agencies, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, marketing and publishing. Many graduates also pursue graduate degrees in anthropology, law, public health, public policy, social work and other fields.

Admission Requirements
  • Complete the .
Graduation Requirements
  • Complete theÌý.
  • Complete theÌý.
  • Complete the following major requirements:
Core Courses
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡202Cultural Anthropology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡205Biological Anthropology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡210Linguistic Anthropology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡211Archaeology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡410Anthropological Theory3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡458Applied Ethics in Anthropology 13
Ethnographic Courses
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡200Alaska Native Cultures3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390´¡Arctic and Subarctic Cultures 13
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390µþWorld Cultures 13
´Ç°ùÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390°ä Comparative Culture Studies
Methodology Courses
Complete six credits from at least two of the following courses: 26
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡415
Applied Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡430
Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡477
Cultural Resource Management
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡480
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡487
Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology
³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡470
Environmental Policy and Regulation in Alaska
´Ç°ùÌý³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡475
 Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences
Topical/Theoretical Courses
Complete six credits from at least two of the following courses: 26
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡411
Archaeological Theory
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡452
Culture and Human Biodiversity
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡454
Culture and Ecology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡455
Culture and Health
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡464
Culture and Globalization
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490´¡
Health, Ritual and Science 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490µþ
Historical Engagements 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490°ä
Belief and Identity 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490¶Ù
Topics in the Contemporary North 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490·¡
Culture, Environment, Place 1
Program Electives
Complete any additional 3 credits in ANTH or GEOG.3
Upper-Division Humanities Electives
Complete six upper-division credits in AKNS, ART, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, THR or languages.6
Total48
1

Specific topical emphases for these courses vary by offering. See catalog course descriptions for details.

2

Other upper-division selected topics (´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490), practicum (´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡495), independent study (ANTH A497), or individual research (ANTH A498), or thesis (´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡499) courses may be applied to satisfy methodological or topical/theoretical course requirements with department approval, depending on course content.

3

´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431 is infrequently offered, typically as a summer field school. Please check with the Department of Anthropology for the schedule.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Anthropology

The BA in Anthropology recognizes distinguished achievement by undergraduate majors in the study of anthropology by conferring programmatic honors in Anthropology. In order to receive honors in Anthropology, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a declared anthropology major;
  • Satisfy all of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Anthropology;
  • Meet the requirements f´Ç°ùÌý;
  • Earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in courses specific to the anthropology major;
  • Complete a senior thesis project (taken asÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡499), based on library, laboratory or field research resulting in a substantial, thesis-quality paper defended before the anthropology faculty. The course may be taken on a one-semester (3-credit) or two-semester (6-credit) basis.

Anthropology is the holistic, comparative study of human diversity. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Anthropology provides students with a solid foundation in the contemporary theory, practice and application of the discipline and an understanding of global human diversity with a special emphasis on the cultures, lifeways and contemporary social issues of Alaska and the Circumpolar North. The program prepares students in intercultural fluency, critical thinking and research skills through coursework, applied research experiences and fieldwork. Graduates find opportunities in laboratory sciences, international development agencies, governmental agencies, museums, non-profit organizations, publishing and many other fields. Many graduates also pursue graduate degrees in anthropology, medicine, public health, behavioral sciences, forensics and other fields.

Admission Requirements
  • Complete the .
Graduation Requirements
  • Complete theÌý.
  • Complete theÌý.

    • For the GER Quantitative Skills requirement, ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡121 or ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡151 or ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡155 or ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡221 or ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡252Ìý´Ç°ù ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡252F are recommended in order to meet the prerequisite for the degree requirement in statistics.

  • Complete the following major requirements:Ìý
Core Courses
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡202Cultural Anthropology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡205
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA205L		Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Laboratory		4
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡210Linguistic Anthropology3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡211
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA211L		Archaeology
and Archaeology Laboratory		4
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡410Anthropological Theory3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡458Applied Ethics in Anthropology 13
Ethnographic Courses
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡200Alaska Native Cultures3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390´¡Arctic and Subarctic Cultures 13
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390µþWorld Cultures 13
´Ç°ùÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390°ä Comparative Culture Studies
Methodology Courses
Complete six credits from at least two the following: 26
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡415
Applied Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡430
Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡477
Cultural Resource Management
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡480
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡487
Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology
³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡470
Environmental Policy and Regulation in Alaska
´Ç°ùÌý³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡475
 Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences
Topical/Theoretical Courses
Complete six credits from at least two of the following: 26
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡411
Archaeological Theory
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡452
Culture and Human Biodiversity
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡454
Culture and Ecology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡455
Culture and Health
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡464
Culture and Globalization
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490´¡
Health, Ritual and Science 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490µþ
Historical Engagements 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490°ä
Belief and Identity 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490¶Ù
Topics in the Contemporary North 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490·¡
Culture, Environment, Place 1
Program Electives
Complete any additional 3 credits in ANTH or GEOG.3
Statistics Course
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý´¡253Applied Statistics for the Sciences4
´Ç°ùÌý³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý´¡307 Probability and Statistics
Upper-Division Natural Sciences Electives
Complete six upper-division credits in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS.6
Total54
1

Specific topical emphases for these courses vary by offering. See catalog course descriptions for details.

2

Other upper-division selected topics (), practicum (), independent study (ANTH A497), or individual research (ANTH A498), or thesis () courses may be applied to satisfy methodological or topical/theoretical course requirements with department approval, depending on course content.

3

Ìýis infrequently offered, typically as a summer field school. Please check with the Department of Anthropology for schedule.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Anthropology

The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology recognizes distinguished achievement by undergraduate majors in the study of anthropology by conferring programmatic honors in anthropology. In order to receive honors in anthropology, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a declared anthropology major;
  • Satisfy all of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Anthropology;
  • Meet the requirements f´Ç°ùÌýÌýas outlined in the catalog;
  • Earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in courses specific to the anthropology major;
  • Complete a senior thesis project (taken asÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡499), based on library, laboratory or field research resulting in a substantial, thesis-quality paper defended before the anthropology faculty. The course may be taken on a one-semester (3-credit) or two-semester (6-credit) basis.

Students majoring in another subject who wish to minor in anthropology must complete the following requirements.

Core Anthropology Courses
Complete two of the following courses:6
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡101
Introduction to Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡202
Cultural Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡205
Biological Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡210
Linguistic Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡211
Archaeology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡250
First Footsteps/ First Cities: Emergence of Complex Societies
Ethnographic Courses
Complete 6 credits from at least two of the following courses:6
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡200
Alaska Native Cultures
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390´¡
Arctic and Subarctic Cultures 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390µþ
World Cultures 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡390°ä
Comparative Culture Studies 1
Methodological, Topical, and Theoretical Courses 2
Complete 6 credits from at least two of the following courses:6
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡410
Anthropological Theory
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡411
Archaeological Theory
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡415
Applied Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡430
Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡452
Culture and Human Biodiversity
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡454
Culture and Ecology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡455
Culture and Health
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡458
Applied Ethics in Anthropology 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡464
Culture and Globalization
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡477
Cultural Resource Management
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡480
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡487
Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490´¡
Health, Ritual and Science 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490µþ
Historical Engagements 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490°ä
Belief and Identity 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490¶Ù
Topics in the Contemporary North 1
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490·¡
Culture, Environment, Place 1
Total18
1

Specific topical emphasis for this course varies by offering. See catalog course description for details.

2

Other upper-division selected topics courses ´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡490 or independent study courses (ANTH A397Ìý´Ç°ù ANTH A497) may be petitioned to satisfy the methodological/topical/theoretical course requirements, depending on course content.

ÌýA total of 18 credits is required for the minor, 9 of which must be upper-division.Ìý

The Minor in Cultural and Natural Resource Management introduces students to key environmental and cultural issues as well as state and federal programs and laws that regulate cultural and natural resource management. Students focus on Alaska-specific issues and regulations to enhance the relevance of the minor to cultural and natural resource management in the state. The course of study complements degrees in Anthropology, Biology, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, English, Geology, and History by teaching students how their future careers might intersect with environmental and other laws and by building skills that will improve their success in finding employment in environmental, natural, and cultural resource compliance.

Students who wish to minor in Cultural and Natural Resource Management must complete the following requirements with a minimum grade of C:

Complete 6 credits from these foundational courses:6
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡211
Archaeology
´Ç°ùÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡101
 Introduction to Anthropology
´Ç°ùÌý´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡202
 Cultural Anthropology
ECONÌýA210
Environmental Economics and Policy
´Ç°ùÌýPHILÌýA303
 Environmental Ethics
GEOGÌýA111
Discovering Alaska and Earth's Physical Geography: From Weather to Glaciers
SOCÌýA101
Introduction to Sociology
´Ç°ùÌýJPCÌýA104
 Media Literacy
´Ç°ùÌýSOCÌýA202
 Social Institutions
Complete the following three core courses:9
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡454
Culture and Ecology
´Ç°ùÌýSOCÌýA404
 Environmental Sociology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡477
Cultural Resource Management
³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡470
Environmental Policy and Regulation in Alaska
Complete one of the following electives: 1, 23-4
AKNS/PS A346
Alaska Native Politics
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 3
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡480
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology
BIOLÌýA473
Conservation Biology
CEÌýA442
Environmental Engineering Design
CMÌýA422
Sustainability in the Built Environment
ECONÌýA210
Environmental Economics and Policy
ENGLÌýA478
Public Science Writing
³Ò·¡°¿³ÒÌý´¡475
Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences
GEOLÌýA361
Earth Resources and Society
HISTÌýA341
History of Alaska
JPCÌýA362
Principles of Strategic Communications
Total18-19

A minimum of 18-19 credits is required for the minor.Ìý

1

Many of these courses have prerequisites relevant to the course of study but not included in the minor credit total.

2

Other selected topics courses (A290, A390, and A490) that cover topics relevant to cultural or natural resources management may be substituted in this list with department approval.

3

´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡431Ìýis infrequently offered, typically as a summer field school. Please check with the Department of Anthropology for the schedule.

Undergraduate Academic Advising

Visit the Academic Advising website to find your advsior, schedule a meeting, or learn more about the program. 

Academic Advising