Anthropology
Program
The URI anthropology curriculum offers courses in all major subfields
of the study of humankind: archaeology, cultural anthropology,
anthropological linguistics, and physical anthropology. In the
process of obtaining an undergraduate degree (B.A.), anthropology
majors learn about human prehistory, evolutionary biology, and
cultures around the world. Depending on their academic records
and individual career goals, anthropology graduates can either
pursue advanced degrees (M.A. or PhD) at other universities or
take jobs in nonacademic fields. Either way, we believe their
lives are enriched through the study of humankind.
Bachelor of Arts
Students desiring to major in anthropology must complete a minimum
of 30 credits (maximum 45 credits) in that subject. The following
course requirements apply for all majors:
Introductory
Anthropology
: majors must take four of the following courses (12 credits)
- APG 200--Language and Culture. A cross-cultural
survey of the interaction between cultural patterns and language
- APG 201--Human Origins. A survey of the
fossil evidence for human evolution
- APG 202--The Prehistoric Ages. Archaeological
perspectives on human development from the Old Stone Age to the
Iron Age.
- APG 203--Cultural Anthropology. An introduction
to the study of culture illustrated by examples from around the
world.
Anthropological
Methods : One methodology course is required
from the following four offerings (3 credits; 4 credits if APG
300 is taken)
- APG 300--Human Fossil Record. Advanced
study of hominid fossils.
- APG 302--Methods of Anthropological Inquiry.
Study of the logic and techniques used in the collection and
analysis of anthropological data.
- APG 317--Archaeological Method and Theory.
Problems of the collection and interpretation of archaeological
data. (Note: APG 317 may be taken to fulfill either the Methods
or the Theory requirement, but not both.)
- APG 412--Primate Behavior and Organization.
Study of the behavior of wild prosimians, monkeys, and apes,
and the use of primate data by anthropologists.
Anthropological
Theory : All
majors must take APG 401. In addition, majors must take either
APG 317 (see note above) or APG 327 (6 credits).
- APG 327--History of Physical Anthropology.
Examination of certain classic studies in human evolution and
physical anthropology.
- APG 401--History of Anthropological Theory.
An overview of anthropological theory from the16th century to
the present. Emphasis on cultural theory.
Anthropology
Electives :
A minimum of three additional courses must be taken from the anthropology
offerings (9 credits).
- APG 220--Introduction to the Study of
Language
- APG 250--Africanity
- APG 303--New World Prehistory
- APG 309--Anthropology of Religion
- APG 310--Topics in Anthropology
- APG 311--Native North Americans
- APG 313--Peoples of Africa
- APG 315--Cultures and Societies of Latin
America
- APG 319--Cultural Behavior and Environment
- APG 320--Sociolinguistics
- APG 322--Anthropology of Modernization
- APG 325--The Irish
- APG 326--Anthropology of Law
- APG 350--Human Variation
- APG 400--Evolution, Culture, and Human
Disease
- APG 405--Psychological Anthropology
- APG 413--Peoples of the Sea
- APG 470--Problems in Anthropology (Directed
Research)
It is strongly recommended
that anthropology majors take at least one course in inferential
statistics (e.g., STA 308 or 409), complete a foreign language
through the intermediate level, and gain computer proficiency.
Early in the junior year, majors who plan to go to graduate school
should meet with their advisor for curricular counseling.
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