Sep 28, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Anthropology (B.A.)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Descriptions

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, archaeology, 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 pursuing a double-major, minor, or semester abroad are not required to earn the Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, these additional programs are all available at Purdue Fort Wayne, and are strongly recommended.

The Anthropology Program feels that a semester spent studying abroad can be an extraordinary addition to your education at PFW for several reasons, including cultural exposure, new academic opportunities, personal growth, resume enhancement, and memorable life experiences.  Fluency in a foreign language is not required for most programs and the cost of many programs is comparable to the cost of attending PFW.  We recommend speaking with the Director of the Study Abroad Office and the Department Chair at least one year prior to the semester in which you wish to study abroad in order to identify program availability and choose courses that will apply toward major requirements.  


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:

College Scorecard


The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs.  The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings.  Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program.  That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=4502&fos_credential=3

Program Requirements:


Anthropology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan 

Anthropology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan with Semester Study Abroad   
 

Anthropology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan  

Anthropology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan (when ICC Certificate completed)  

  • 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.
  • New courses approved and added to the Anthropology program curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy the Group A, B, or C requirements in the Anthropology major core, as specified.
  • If pursuing a Study Abroad opportunity, contact the Director of the Study Abroad Program and the Department Chair at least one year prior to the semester in which you prefer to study in order to check program availability and choose courses that will apply toward major requirements.

Anthropology (B.A.) Articulation with Ivy Tech Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan  

Anthropology (B.A.) with Cultural Resource Management Certificate Articulation with Ivy Tech Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan  


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


Second Semester Writing, Research, and Methods Class: 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 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
     

List of Courses and Stipulations for the COLA Thematic Requirements  

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses:


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


  • Choose one course from the following list:

Anthropology Elective: Credits 3


  • Choose one additional course from the Group A, B, or C lists above.

Supplemental Requirements:


  • Career FOCUS Assessment
    • Completion of the Career FOCUS Assessment and a Career Development Center session to review the results (usually during ANTH 10005)
  • Resume /Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review
    • Completion of a Resume/Curriculum Vitae review and a Career Development Center session to review (usually during Junior year or ANTH 44501)

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. 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Descriptions