Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Department of Anthropology

Todd Fenton, Chairperson

Anthropology takes humans and their cultures, throughout the world and through the entirety of human history, as its central object of study.  Blending aspects of natural and social sciences, anthropology examines humanity's evolutionary background and development, the organization of social and cultural life, the nature of culture as a system of meaning to organize and interpret experience, the evolution of societies, and the interrelationships between environment, culture, and shared ways of thinking and feeling.

Providing an excellent foundation for a diverse, liberal education, the study of anthropology fosters critical thinking and prepares students for careers in education, medicine, tourism, business and industry, government service, and other walks of life in which a broad knowledge of cultural dynamics, ethnic diversity and human relations is important. Engagement in diverse experiential learning opportunities are encouraged in field and lab settings.

The strength and vitality of anthropology lies in the ability to approach fundamental issues concerning cultural and biological diversity from multiple perspectives. Major points of orientation within anthropology include the search for patterning of cultural behavior amidst the immense variation found within and among cultures, the study of principles of cultural dynamics, the analysis of processes of change and stability within social and cultural structures, cross–cultural comparisons of different societies, the study of patterns of development of societies from simple to complex, and the functioning of cultural institutions as parts of overall sociocultural systems. Anthropology faculty specialize in sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, medical anthropology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology, bringing multiple vantage points brought to bear on these themes.
 

Undergraduate Program


Anthropology - Bachelor of Arts

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor or Arts  degree in Anthropology.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Anthropology major is met by completing Anthropology 489.  That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following required major courses (33 or 34 credits):
    a. All of the following courses (12 credits):
    ANP 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
    ANP  203 Introduction to Archaeology  3
    ANP 206 Introduction to Physical Anthropology 3
    ANP 489 Anthropology Capstone Course (W) 3
    b. One of the following area courses (3 credits):
    ANP 410 Anthropology of Latin America 3
    ANP 411 North American Indian Ethnography 3
    ANP 415 China: Culture and Society 3
    ANP 417 Introduction to Islam in Africa 3
    ANP 419 Anthropology of the Middle East  3
    ANP 432 American Indian Women 3
    ANP 433 Contemporary American Indian Communities 3
    ANP 437 Asian Emigrant Communities: A Global Perspective 3
    ANP 452 North American Archaeology 3
    ANP 455 Archaeology of Ancient Egypt 3
    c. One of the following topical/analytical courses (3 or 4 credits):
    ANP 310 Archaeology of Human Migrations  3
    ANP 320 Social and Cultural Theory 3
    ANP 321 Anthropology of Social Movements  3
    ANP 325 Anthropology of the Environment and Development 3
    ANP 330 Race, Ethnicity, and Nation: Anthropological Approaches to Collective Identity 3
    ANP 362 Archaeology of Foragers to Farmers  3
    ANP 363 Rise of Civilization  3
    ANP 364 Fake Archaeology: Pseudoscience and the Past 3
    ANP 370 Culture, Health, and Illness  3
    ANP 420 Language and Culture 3
    ANP 422 Religion and Culture 3
    ANP 425 Issues in Medical Anthropology 3
    ANP 426 Urban Anthropology 3
    ANP 426 Globalization and Justice: Issues in Political and Legal Anthropology 3
    ANP 439 Human Rights: Anthropological Perspectives 3
    ANP 440 Hominid Fossils 3
    ANP 441 Osteology and Forensic Anthropology 4
    ANP 443 Human Adaptability 3
    ANP 461 Method and Theory in Historical Archaeology 3
    ANP 486 Environmental Archaeology 3
    NOTE: ANP 441 may be used for topical/analytical course or anthropological methods but not both.
    d. Complete at least 3 credits from one of the following anthropological methods courses:
    ANP 412 Method and Practice in Digital Heritage 3
    ANP 429 Ethnographic Field Methods 4
    ANP 441 Osteology and Forensic Anthropology 4
    ANP 463 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology 3
    ANP 464 Field Methods in Archaeology 2 to 6
    NOTE: ANP 441 may be used for topical/analytical course or anthropological methods but not both.
    e. Complete 12 additional credits of Anthropology courses, at least 9 credits of which must be at the 300-level or above. ANP 101 or ANP 200 may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Courses used to meet major requirements may not be used to satisfy this requirement.


Anthropology - Bachelor of Science

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology

  1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology.

    The completion of Statistics and Probability 200, 201, or 421, referenced in item 3. g. below may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement or the Department of Anthropology NATURAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT, but not both.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Anthropology major is met by completing Anthropology 489. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The College of Social Science requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. 
  3. The following requirements for the major (33 credits):
    a. All of the following courses (12 credits):
    ANP 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
    ANP 203 Introduction to Archaeology 3
    ANP 206 Introduction to Physical Anthropology 3
    ANP 489 Anthropology Capstone Course (W) 3
    b. One of the following area courses (3 credits):
    ANP 410 Anthropology of Latin America 3
    ANP 411 North American Indian Ethnography 3
    ANP 415 China: Culture and Society 3
    ANP 417 Introduction to Islam in Africa 3
    ANP 419 Anthropology of the Middle East 3
    ANP 432 American Indian Women 3
    ANP 433 Contemporary American Indian Communities 3
    ANP 437 Asian Emigrant Communities: A Global Perspective 3
    ANP 452 North American Archaeology 3
    ANP 455 Archaeology of Ancient Egypt 3
    c. One of the following topical/analytical courses (3 credits):
    ANP 310 Archeology of Human Migrations 3
    ANP 320 Social and Cultural Theory 3
    ANP 321 Anthropology of Social Movements 3
    ANP 325 Anthropology of the Environment and Development 3
    ANP 330 Race, Ethnicity, and Nation: Anthropological Approaches to Collective Identity 3
    ANP 362 Archaeology of Foragers to Farmers 3
    ANP 363 Rise of Civilization 3
    ANP 364 Pseudoarchaeology 3
    ANP 370 Culture, Health, and Illness 3
    ANP 420 Language and Culture 3
    ANP 422 Religion and Culture 3
    ANP 425 Issues in Medical Anthropology 3
    ANP 426 Urban Anthropology 3
    ANP 436 Globalization and Justice: Issues in Political and Legal Anthropology 3
    ANP 439 Human Rights: Anthropological Perspectives 3
    ANP 440 Hominid Fossils 3
    ANP 441 Osteology and Forensic Anthropology 4
    ANP 443 Human Adaptability 3
    ANP 461 Method and Theory in Historical Archaeology 3
    ANP 486 Environmental Archaeology 3
    d. One of the following anthropological methods courses (3 credits):
    ANP 412 Method and Practice in Digital Heritage 3
    ANP 429 Ethnographic Field Methods 4
    ANP 441 Osteology and Forensic Anthropology 4
    ANP 463 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology 3
    ANP 464 Field Methods in Archaeology 2 to 6
    e. Complete 12 credits of Anthropology courses, at least 9 credits of which must at the 300-level or above. ANP 101 or 200 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
  4. Other Required Courses (12 credits):
    Complete a 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses:
    Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree and may not concurrently satisfy a University requirement.
    a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 315 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Business 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    STT 464 Statistics for Biologists 3
    b. Complete at least 9 credits from the following courses:
    ANTR 211 Human Tissues and Cells for Medical Illustrators 3
    ANTR 350 Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health Professionals 3
    ANTR 355 Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory 1
    ANTR 440 Human Anatomic Variation 2
    BMB 200 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
    BMB 400 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
    BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    CEM 142 General and Inorganic Chemistry 3
    CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry 4
    CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4
    CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry 3
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory 1
    CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    CMSE 180 Introduction to Data Science 4
    CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I 4
    CMSE 202 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis II 4
    ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology 3
    ENT 460 Medical Entomology 3
    ENT 461 Field Ecology of Disease Vectors 3
    EPI 280 Applied Analytical Methods of Health Studies I 3
    EPI 380 Applied Analytical Methods of Health Studies II 3
    EPI 390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
    EPI 465 Bayesian Statistical Methods 3
    EPI 490 Advanced Topics/Methods in Global Public Health and Epidemiology 3
    FOR 419 Applications of Geographic Information Systems to Natural Resources Management 4
    FW 110 Conservation and Management of Marine Resources 3
    FW 471 Ichthyology 4
    FW 472 Limnology 3
    GEO 201 Introduction to Plant Geography 3
    GEO 206 Physical Geography 3
    GEO 206L Physical Geography Laboratory 1
    GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
    GEO 221L Introduction to Geographic Information Laboratory 1
    GEO 302 Climates of the World 3
    GEO 306 Environmental Geomorphology 3
    GEO 324 Remote Sensing of the Environment 4
    GEO 325 Geographic Information Systems 3
    GEO 425 Problems in Geographic Information Science (W) 3
    GLG 201 The Dynamic Earth 4
    GLG 202 Geology of Michigan 3
    GLG 303 Oceanography 3
    GLG 304 Physical and Biological History of the Earth 4
    GLG 306 Environmental Geomorphology 3
    GLG 321 Mineralogy and Geochemistry 4
    GLG 361 Igneous and Metamorphic Geochemistry and Petrology 4
    GLG 401 Global Tectonics and Earth Structure (W) 4
    GLG 411 Hydrogeology 3
    GLG 412 Glacial Geology and the Record of Climate Change 4
    GLG 421 Environmental Geochemistry 4
    GLG 431 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 4
    GLG 433 Vertebrate Paleontology 4
    GLG 434 Evolutionary Paleobiology 4
    GLG 446 Ecosystems Modeling, Water and Food Security 3
    GLG 471 Applied Geophysics 4
    IBIO 150 Integrating Biology: From DNA to Populations 3
    IBIO 306 Invertebrate Biology 4
    IBIO 313 Animal Behavior 3
    IBIO 328 Comparative Anatomy and Biology of Vertebrates 4
    IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
    IBIO 353 Marine Biology (W) 4
    IBIO 355 Ecology  3
    IBIO 355L Ecology Laboratory (W) 1
    IBIO 357 Global Change Biology (W) 3
    IBIO 360 Biology of Birds 4
    IBIO 365 Biology of Mammals 4
    IBIO 384 Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (W) 4
    IBIO 445 Evolution (W) 3
    IBIO 446 Environmental Issues and Public Policy 3
    MMG 141 Introductory Human Genetics 3
    MMG 365 Medical Microbiology 3
    MMG 365L Medical Microbiology Laboratory 1
    MMG 400 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
    MMG 404 Human Genetics 3
    PLB 105 Plant Biology 3
    PLB 106 Plant Biology Laboratory 1
    PLB 203 Biology of Plants 4
    PLB 400 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
    STT 224 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Ecologists 3
    STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
    STT 301 Computational Methods for Data Science 3
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    STT 422 Statistics II 3
    STT 430 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3
    STT 461 Computations in Probability and Statistics 3

     

Minor in Anthropology

The Minor in Anthropology, which is administered by the Department of Anthropology, provides a basic foundation for the breadth of study within the field of anthropology, and a grounding in general anthropological theory. Students obtain knowledge of at least one advanced topic in the field and command of the anthropological literature in at least one geographical area.

This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Anthropology.

Requirements for the Minor in Anthropology

Complete a minimum of 18 credits from the following:
1. All of the following courses (9 credits):
ANP  201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology  3
ANP  203 Introduction to Archaeology  3
ANP  206 Introduction to Physical Anthropology  3
2. One of the following area courses (3 credits):
ANP  410 Anthropology of Latin America  3
ANP  411 North American Indian Ethnography  3
ANP  415 China: Culture and Society  3
ANP  417 Introduction to Islam in Africa  3
ANP  419 Anthropology of the Middle East  3
ANP  432 American Indian Women 3
ANP  433 Contemporary American Indian Communities  3
ANP  437 Asian Emigrant Communities: A Global Perspective  3
ANP  452 North American Archaeology  3
ANP  455 Archaeology of Ancient Egypt  3
3. Two of the following topical/analytical/methods courses (6 to 8 credits):
ANP  310 Archaeology of Human Migrations 3
ANP  320 Social and Cultural Theory  3
ANP  321 Anthropology of Social Movements  3
ANP  325 Anthropology of the Environment and Development  3
ANP  330 Race, Ethnicity, and Nation: Anthropological Approaches to Collective Identity  3
ANP  362 Archaeology of Foragers to Farmers  3
ANP  363 Rise of Civilization  3
ANP  364 Fake Archaeology: Pseudoscience and the Past  3
ANP  370 Culture, Health, and Illness  3
ANP  412 Method and Practice in Digital Heritage  3
ANP  420 Language and Culture  3
ANP  422 Religion and Culture  3
ANP  425 Issues in Medical Anthropology  3
ANP  426 Urban Anthropology  3
ANP  429 Ethnographic Field Methods  4
ANP  436 Globalization and Justice: Issues in Political and Legal Anthropology  3
ANP  439 Human Rights: Anthropological Perspectives  3
ANP  440 Hominid Fossils  3
ANP  441 Osteology and Forensic Anthropology  4
ANP  443 Human Adaptability  3
ANP  461 Method and Theory in Historical Archaeology  3
ANP  463 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology  3
ANP  486 Environmental Archaeology  3

Minor in Digital Cultural Heritage and History

The Digital Cultural Heritage and History minor will provide students with an understanding of how digital tools, methods, and computational approaches can be used to capture, analyze, preserve, provide access to, and present cultural, archaeological, and historical data, content, collections, and materials.  The minor focuses on: (1) the legal, political, and ethical issues that shape and inform the practice of digital cultural heritage and history; (2) the methods and approaches used to digitize, document, and preserve endangered cultural heritage; (3) the use of digital methods and computational approaches in cultural heritage and history for public and community outreach, engagement, and collaboration; (4) how institutions such as museums, libraries, world heritage sites, and archives use digital methods and computational approaches to preserve and provide access to collections of cultural, historical, and archaeological materials; (5) the application of computational approaches and digital methods to the analysis and interpretation of cultural heritage and historical data. The minor is both applied and experiential, not only asking students to explore and understand the impact that digital methods and computational approaches have in the domains of cultural heritage and history, but providing them with critical skills and opportunities to build digital applications and experiences.  The minor has a strong ethos of openness, thoughtfully arguing for the value of open access, open source, and open data within digital cultural heritage and history as well as strongly encouraging the use of open source tools, frameworks, and technologies for applied work.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.  

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Anthropology.

Requirements for the Minor in Digital Cultural Heritage and History
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following:

1. The following course (3 credits):
HST 251 Doing Digital History 3
2. One of the following courses (3 to 6 credits):
ANP 465 Field Methods in Digital Heritage 6
GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
HST 489 Seminar in Digital History (W) 3
PLS 202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences 3
3. Two of the following courses (6 or 7 credits):
CSE 102 Algorithmic Thinking and Programming 3
CSE 231 Introduction to Programming I 4
DH 285 Introduction to Digital Humanities 3
GD 160 Digital Graphic Design: Tools and Methods 3
MI 101 Understanding Media and Information 3
MI 201 Introduction to Information Science 3
MI 220 Methods for Understanding Users 3
MI 250 Introduction to Applied Programming 3
4. The following capstone course (3 credits):
ANP 412 Method and Practice in Digital Heritage 3

Graduate Study

The Department of Anthropology offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Graduate education in Anthropology at MSU is directed toward development of high achievement in scholarship among a new generation of anthropologists, including a commitment to research, public engagement, and the ethical practice of anthropology. The Department of Anthropology at MSU takes pride in the diversity of our own community of scholars, including our graduate students and faculty, and is committed to maintaining and supporting this diversity both in our department and in the profession. The department also emphasizes the importance of collaborative work with the people and communities whom we study, and the need to share our research with a variety of audiences.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect College of Social Sciences specializations in Environmental Science and Policy; Gender, Justice and Environmental Change; Global Urban Studies, International Development; and other graduate specializations. Dual degree programs are also possible, including special programs for professional doctoral degrees.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood.


Anthropology - Master of Arts

Anthropologists study humans in relation to themselves, their past, their environment, and their biological heritage. As a discipline, Anthropology spans the social and natural sciences and the humanities, and is equipped with various tools and approaches to study human problems. Our knowledge and skills contribute critical perspectives on contemporary transformations within academia and in society at large.

Anthropology at MSU provides training in cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology.  While a traditional four-field department, the graduate program provides opportunities for students to engage in research across the subdisciplines. The program also has a number of well-regarded subdisciplinary specialties including medical anthropology and forensic anthropology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students applying for admission to the master's program in anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.0 or better in academic studies.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology

The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

               
1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
ANP 830 Cultural and Linguistic Anthropological Theory: Key Issues and Debates 3
ANP 840 Biocultural Evolution 3
2. Completion of a methods course appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline. The course must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Completion of additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee. At least 21 of the 30 credits required for the degree must be earned in Anthropology.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Complete 4 credits of Anthropology 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Prepare an approved thesis proposal.
3. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Pass a final evaluation with a guidance committee of at least three faculty, at least two of whom should be from the Department of Anthropology.

Anthropology - Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students applying for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior-senior undergraduate grade-point average 3.0 or better in academic studies.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anthropology

Students must complete the following:

1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
ANP 830 Cultural and Linguistic Anthropological Theory: Key Issues and Debates 3
ANP 840 Biocultural Evolution 3
2. Completion of a methods course appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline. The course must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Completion of additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee.
4. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination, including preparation of a dissertation research proposal.
5. Successful completion of 24 credits of ANP 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research and defense of the doctoral dissertation.


Research Opportunities

The African, Asian, and Latin American Studies Centers offer unique opportunities for the support of anthropological research. The University Museum, International Studies and Programs, the Center for Advanced Studies in International Development (CASID), the Office of Women in Development (WID), the Agricultural Experiment Station, Urban Affairs Programs, the Hispanic Research Institute, and the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, Incorporated (MUCIA), also support research. A program of study may be developed in cooperation with the College of Human Medicine.