Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2011-2014 (PRINTED) 
    
University Catalog 2011-2014 (PRINTED) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Anthropology, M.A.


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Master of Arts Degree

The objective of the M.A. degree in Anthropology is to prepare students for professional level employment in industry and government, teaching positions in community colleges, or advanced study towards the PhD. degree. The program has four options: General Anthropology, Archaeology, Sociocultural Anthropology, and Forensic Anthropology. The General Anthropology option prepares students in the traditional areas of anthropology: culture theory, ethnography, archaeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology. The Archaeology option prepares students for careers in archaeology or cultural resource management. The Forensic Anthropology option prepares students for careers in forensic anthropology or other aspects of law enforcement. The Sociocultural option prepares students for careers in cultural anthropology or ethnography.

Admission to the Program

With the exception of the Forensic Anthropology option, applicants must have a baccalaureate in anthropology and a 2.75 grade point average in the last 90-quarter units attempted and a B (3.0) grade point average in anthropology courses. Those whose undergraduate major was not anthropology must complete 20-32 units in anthropology, including ANTH 497, with a B average. Students’ actual number of units required is determined by advisement during their first quarter of postbaccalaureate study.

Students are accepted into the Anthropology program for the fall, winter and spring quarters. Students must notify the department of their intent to seek admission to the Archaeology, Forensic, General, or Sociocultural option at the time of their application. For the Forensic Anthropology option, students are strongly encouraged to apply for fall admission.
Students must apply to both the University and to the Department of Anthropology. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 90 quarter college units taken and a 3.0 in Anthropology units. All applicants must submit a separate application form (available from the Department) to the Department of Anthropology that includes a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The top ranked applicants to the forensic anthropology option may be given a telephone or personal interview. Completed applications must be submitted to the Department of Anthropology by March 10 for fall admission, by August 10 for winter admission and by November 10 for spring admission.

Requirements for the Degree (47-53 units)


A total of 47 - 53 units is required, with at least 24-29 units in 500-level courses, as specified by each option. All students must have a reading or speaking knowledge of a relevant research language or demonstrate proficiency in linguistic analysis, statistics, or a faculty-approved skill set. A faculty approved skill set consists of at least two courses chosen from 400 or 500 level courses within the university that satisfy technical, analytical, and experiential requirements specific to each student’s focus within the discipline. These courses will be chosen by the student and his or her faculty advisor in consultation with the department curriculum committee. Students must satisfy this requirement in order to be advanced to candidacy and attempt the comprehensive examination or submit a thesis proposal Students must complete either the comprehensive examination or a thesis prior to graduation, as required and the individual options presented below. Students also must fulfill all university requirements including the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR). Students must pass ANTH 510A  , 510B  (except students in the Forensic option), 520  and 560  with a grade of B or better to graduate.

General Anthropology Option (47 units)


A total of 47 units are required, with at least 25 in 500-level courses.

Electives (21 or 27 units)


Select from 400 and 500-level anthropology courses, including at least two different 500-level courses. A maximum of 8 units in a related field may be included with prior adviser consent. Total must include 6 units of ANTH 599  along with 21 units of electives if thesis option is selected. Total must include 27 units of electives if comprehensive exam option is selected.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)


Students may not take the comprehensive examination (ANTH 596) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. Examinations are required in three of the following areas: Archaeology, Sociocultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, or Physical Anthropology. Students in the General option are expected to take the comprehensive exams and will be eligible for the thesis option only with department approval.

Archaeology Option (48-50 units)


A total of 48 - 50 units are required, with at least 25 in 500-level courses.

Electives (8 -12 units)


Select from 400 and 500-level Anthropology courses.Students are required to take a minimum of 8 units of electives if they choose the thesis option or 12 units of electives if they are approved for the comprehensive exam option. A maximum of 8 units in a related field may be substituted with prior adviser consent.

Comprehensive examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)


Students in the Archaeology option are expected to write a thesis. Students may not take thesis units (ANTH 599  ) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. Students in the Archaeology option will be eligible for the Comprehensive Exam option only with departmental approval.

Forensic Anthropology Option (52 units)


A minimum of 52 units is required, with at least 27 in 500-level courses.

Thesis (6 units)


Students in the Forensic Anthropology option are expected to write a thesis. Students may not take thesis units (ANTH 599) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements.

Sociocultural Anthropology Option (51 units)


A minimum of 51 units is required, with at least 26 in 500-level courses.

Electives (12 or 18 units)


Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0 or 6 units)


Students in the Sociocultural Anthropology option may choose between completing a thesis or the Comprehensive Examinations. Students who choose the Thesis option may not take thesis units (ANTH 599) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. For those who choose to take the Comprehensive Examinations, examinations are required in three of the following areas: Archaeology, Sociocultural Anthropology, Linguists Anthropology, or Physical Anthropology.

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