Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Anthropology (B.A.)


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Program: B.A.
Department of Anthropology and Sociology  
College of Liberal Arts

Kettler Hall G11 ~ 260-481-6272


Courses in anthropology provide an understanding of the nature of cultures and help you assess various explanations of human behavior.  They also assist in the development of analytical and critical abilities.  The curriculum is structured to include studies in the history and theory of anthropology in four anthropological fields: ethnology, archeology, bioanthropology, and linguistics; in at least two different world ethnographic areas; and in topical specializations.  This program helps you prepare for graduate study, for teaching, and for careers in which the understanding of cultures is an asset.

Although a minor is not required for the Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, an outside concentration is recommended.  Fifteen credits in history, political science, psychology, or sociology support the concentration.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

  • Achieve familiarity with different cultures in at least two regions of the world
  • Know the major anthropological approaches to understanding the human condition
  • Be able to explain societies in a holistic manner
  • Achieve competency in writing
  • Demonstrate critical thinking
  • Acquire quantitative skills for analysis
  • Demonstrate a willingness to engage learning and scholarship as a life-long endeavor

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on-campus.

Declaring this Major:

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:


Anthropology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan :

  • A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the major.

  • ENGL 20201 does not satisfy the writing requirement for the BA in Anthropology.


To earn the B.A. with a major in Anthropology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33


  • Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
  • Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Liberal Arts Course Requirements


Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for detailed information on college requirements.

Introduction to the Liberal Arts: Credits 3


International Language: Credits 12


You must complete two courses at the first-year level and two courses at the second-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for more details.

Thematic Requirements: Credits 15


Students will take one course in each of these five areas to ensure that they have an opportunity to deepen their traditional liberal arts education while also preparing for a culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and increasingly globalized and complex world:

  1. Gender, Sexuality, Race, and/or Ethnicity:  Credits 3
  2. Conflict and Cooperation:  Credits 3
  3. Institutions and Behavior:  Credits 3
  4. Regional/Geographic Study:  Credits 3
  5. Digital Humanities/Public Humanities:  Credits 3
  • A single course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the five thematic requirements. 
  • Courses taken to fulfill the five thematic requirements must come from courses offered under at least three different course prefixes.
  • At least one course must come from the list of courses approved as dealing exclusively or primarily with a Non-Western culture or cultures.

List of Courses for the COLA Thematic Requirements 

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses:


Group A: Regional Ethnography Credits: 6


  • Choose two courses from the following list:

Group C: Research Methods & Field Study in Anthropology Credits 3


  • Choose one of the following courses:

Anthropology Elective: Credits 3


  • Select one course from Group A, B, or C above.

Supplemental Requirements:


  • Career FOCUS Assessment
  • Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review

General Electives


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120

Total Credits: 120


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

Additional Course Use:


Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.

COM 11400 is required, HIST 12500 is accepted

ENGL 23301 or ENGL 23401 is required, the following are accepted:

  • HIST 21700
  • POLS 20500
  • POLS 20700
  • SOC 26000
  • Note: ENGL 20201 does not satisfy the writing requirement for the BA in Anthropology

STAT 30100 is required, the following are accepted:

  • ECON 27000
  • POLS 39500
  • PPOL 30000
  • PSY 20100
  • SOC 35100
  • or any STAT course 24000 or higher

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