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Anthropology

Catalog pages 109-120

Subject abbreviation: ANTH College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

João H. Costa Vargas, Ph.D, Chair Derick Fay, Ph.D., Vice Chair ANTH Dept. Office 1334 Watkins Hall anthropology.ucr.edu

Professors Sang-Hee Lee, Ph.D. Juliet McMullin, Ph.D. Yolanda Moses, Ph.D. Sally Allen Ness, Ph.D. Susan Ossman, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor Christina Schwenkel, Ph.D. Travis Stanton, Ph.D. Karl Taube, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor João Vargas, Ph.D.

Professors Emeriti Eugene N. Anderson, Ph.D. Alan R. Beals, Ph.D. Scott L. Fedick, Ph.D. Alan G. Fix, Ph.D. David B. Kronenfeld, Ph.D. Martin Orans, Ph.D. Thomas C. Patterson, Ph.D. Anne Sutherland, Ph.D. Carlos G. Vélez-Ibáñez, Ph.D. Christine Ward Gailey, Ph.D. Philip J. Wilke, Ph.D. Associate Professors Sara K. Becker, Ph.D. Derick Fay, Ph.D. Jennifer Syvertsen, Ph.D., MPH Kenichiro Tsukamoto, Ph.D. Kevin Vaughn, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors Elizabeth Berger, Ph.D. Ayana Flewellen Ph.D. Anthony Jerry, Ph.D. Hyejin Nah, Ph.D. Nawa Sugiyama, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Teaching

Worku Nida, Ph.D.

Majors

Anthropologists study the way diverse groups of people understand and live in various set- tings ranging from urban environments to rural villages all over the world. They are interested in such questions as: What does it mean to be human? What activities define the social life of groups and how are they related? How do the members of groups communicate? What is the material evidence for their social and bi- ological history? What are the historical, social, political, economic, and environmental forces that have helped to shape the experiences of particular groups of people, both in the past and in the contemporary world? And, how do human societies change and why? Anthropol- ogists apply this knowledge for the benefit of the peoples whose communities they study.

Anthropology includes four broad subfields:

  • 1. Sociocultural anthropology, the comparative

study of communities in their local and global contexts

  • 2. Archaeology, the investigation of past

societies through their material and written remains

  • 3. Biological anthropology, which focuses

on the evolution of human beings as a species and the interaction of human biological variability with culture

  • 4. Linguistic anthropology, which explores

the interconnections of language, culture, thought, and social structure

Career Opportunities

Anthropology prepares students for dealing with the challenges of an increasingly international economy, transnationally connected commu- nities, and multicultural citizenries. Besides helping students hone and refine analytical skills and critical thinking, anthropology helps them recognize the impact of cultural dynamics on interpersonal communication and on the social structures that affect everyone’s daily lives. Anthropology majors interested in pursuing graduate studies are excellent candidates for programs in anthropology, business, law, journal- ism, medicine, social work, urban planning, and almost any other profession that calls for working with people from a variety of backgrounds and in a number of different settings.

The skills and knowledge learned as an un- dergraduate anthropology major help stu- dents understand the connections between people. Anthropology majors who are not planning to pursue graduate or professional studies immediately can forge careers as teachers at the primary and secondary lev- els; interviewers; recruiters in executive and specialized employment agencies; staff and managers in various local, state, and federal governmental agencies as well as in a vari- ety of national and international non-gov- ernmental organizations and community development organizations; archaeological field or laboratory technicians; intercultural communications professionals in hospitals and other organizations; or union organizers.

University Requirements

See Undergraduate Studies section.

College Requirements

See College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.

Major Requirements

The Department of Anthropology offers the B.A. and B.S. degrees in Anthropology and the B.A. degree in Anthropology/Law and Society. The B.S. program is intended for those plan- ning professional careers in anthropology or in the related fields mentioned above. The B.A. programs are intended for those desiring a broad liberal arts curriculum.

Anthropology Major

The major requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees in Anthropology are as follows:

  • 1. Lower-division requirements

(four courses [at least 16 units])

ANTH 002, ANTH 005, and ANTH 007 or ANTH 007S with a grade of C- or better in each

  • 2. Upper-division requirements
  • a) One theoretical/history course

ANTH 100 or ANTH 100W.

ANTH 165F, ANTH 165G, or ANTH 165I

ANTH 140E-Z

  • 3. At least 6 courses (24 units) in one area

of concentration

  • a) Four field approach to anthropology
  • 1) At least one upper-division course

in each of the subdisciplines of anthropology:

  • (a) Archaeology
  • (b) Biological anthropology
  • (c) Cultural and social anthropology
  • (d) Linguistic anthropology
  • 2) Two courses (at least 8 units) of

upper-division Anthropology for the B.A.; three courses (at least 12 units) for the B.S.

  • b) Medical Anthropology
  • 1) At least two upper division courses

in two different subdisciplines of anthropology:

  • (a) Archaeology
  • (b) Biological anthropology
  • (c) Cultural and social anthropology
  • (d) Linguistic anthropology
  • 2) At least four upper division courses

for a B.A. with a concentration in Medical Anthropology (at least 16 units); five courses (at least 20 units) for the B.S. selected from the following:

  • c) Black and Black Diaspora Studies
  • 1) At least two upper division courses

in two different subdisciplines of anthropology:

  • (a) Archaeology
  • (b) Biological anthropology
  • (c) Cultural and Social anthropology
  • (d) Linguistic anthropology
  • 2) At least four upper division courses

in Black and Black Diaspora Studies (at least 16 units); for a B.A. with a concentration in Black and Black Diaspora Studies (at least 16 units); five courses (at least 20 units) for the B.S. selected from the following:

ANTH 144O

The title of the Anthropology major will be entered on the official degree list and on the official transcript. Diplomas will read “Anthropology” with the indi- vidual field of concentration specified where appropriate (Medical Anthropolo- gy or Black and Black Diaspora Studies).

Note: Students are strongly urged to take the lower-division requirements in the first two years of university study. Students intending to major in anthropology should work closely with a faculty advisor in planning their programs.

Anthropology/Law and Society Major

The Law and Society major is open to under- graduate students with junior standing who have completed LWSO 100 with a grade of “C” or high- er. The major requirements for the B.A. degree in Anthropology/Law and Society are as follows:

  • 1. Anthropology requirements

All requirements for the B.A. in Anthro- pology. See Anthropology Major above for specific requirements.

  • 2. Law and Society requirements (36 units)
  • b) LWSO 100 (with a grade of “C” or better)

PSYC 012, SOC 004 (or equivalent course in research methods)

ECON 119, HISE 153, PHIL 165, POSC 167, PSYC 175, SOC 159

HISA 120A, HISA 120B, HISE 123, LWSO 175 (E-Z), PHIL 164, POSC 111, POSC 166, POSC 168, POSC 186, SOC 147, SOC 149, SOC 180

Note: For sections 2.d) and 2.e) combined, not more than two courses may be taken from the same department. In filling the dual require- ments of the major, students may not count more than two courses toward both parts of their total requirements (Anthropology re- quirements and Law and Society requirements).

Minor

The Department of Anthropology offers a minor in Anthropology which consists of 24 upper division units. Many upper division anthropology courses have lower division prerequisites. Lower division prerequisites do NOT count towards the 24 unit requirement for the minor.

The courses are to be selected as follows:

  • 1. Two upper-division courses in cultural

anthropology from ANTH 103, ANTH 117, ANTH 121, ANTH 122, ANTH 124, ANTH 125, ANTH 126, ANTH 127 or ANTH 127S, ANTH 131, ANTH 132, ANTH 133, ANTH 136, ANTH 137, ANTH 139, ANTH 142E, ANTH 142F, ANTH 142I, ANTH 144E, ANTH 144F, ANTH 144G, ANTH 144M, ANTH 145, ANTH 148, ANTH 149/WMST 149, ANTH 163, ANTH 142G/ETST 148/LNST 168, ANTH 170, ANTH 173, ANTH 177, ANTH 179, ANTH 182 (ANTH 001 is the normal lower- division prerequisite for these courses.)

  • 2. Two upper-division courses (8 units) from

any ONE of the following subdisciplinary areas: (Both courses MUST be taken in the same subdiscipline)

  • a) Archaeology

ANTH 178/WMST 178

  • b) Physical/Biological Anthropology

ANTH 144J, ANTH 150, ANTH 152, ANTH 153, ANTH 155

  • c) Linguistic Anthropology
  • 3. One upper division course (4 units)

pertaining to a geographic area from ANTH 115 (E-Z), ANTH 128, ANTH 136 or ANTH 136S, ANTH 140 (E-Z), ANTH 151, ANTH 157, ANTH 161/LNST 161, ANTH 142G/ETST 148/LNST 168

  • 4. One upper division methodological course

(4 units) from ANTH 165E, ANTH 165F, ANTH 165G, ANTH 184, ANTH 185

See Minors under the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

Education Abroad

Education Abroad is an excellent opportunity to learn more about another country and its culture while taking courses to earn units toward graduation. Students should plan study abroad well in advance to ensure that the courses taken fit with their overall program at UCR. Consult the departmental student affairs officer for assistance. For further details, visit Education Abroad at ea.ucr.edu or call (951) 827-4113.

See Education Abroad in the Educational Opportunities section in the beginning of this catalog.

Visit the departmental Education Abroad website at https://anthropology.ucr.edu/ education-abroad. Consult the departmental student affairs officer for assistance.

Graduate Program

The Department of Anthropology offers the M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology.

Doctoral Degree

The graduate program transforms scholars into professional anthropologists who will variously engage in research, teaching, policy-related and/or administrative activities that benefit the people with whom they work. The program focuses on how people living in various set- tings participate in and adapt to processes of change and transformation, both historically and in the contemporary world. The faculty is committed to an integrated, socially engaged concept of the discipline. The traditional sub- fields — sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics — are crosscut by a series of concentrations that constitute areas of strength. The most developed concentrations are (1) the applied anthropology of transna- tional processes (inequality, migration) and the border and binational communities associated with globalization and the internalization of capital; (2) the archaeology of Mesoamerica and Western North America; (3) cultural and political ecology. The department has close working relationships with other programs on campus.

The department is dedicated to educating the next generation of professional anthropolo- gists. The faculty consists of active research scholars with solid records of publication, conducting original research, obtaining extra- mural grants, and placing graduate students in regional, national, and international labor markets. Aware of the current structures of employment, faculty prepare students to pur- sue both academic and nonacademic careers.

Admission Applicants must supply GRE General Test scores, official transcripts from all institutions attended since high school, three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a personal statement specifying why they wish to undertake and complete graduate training at the UCR Department of Anthropology.

Course Requirements During their first year, students complete the two quarter seminar sequence ANTH 200A and ANTH 200B (Core Theory in Anthro- pology). Students must acquire a basic understanding of three of the four subfields (sociocultural anthropology, biological an- thropology, archaeology, and linguistic an- thropology). To fulfill the breadth require- ment, students must take at least one graduate course in each of two subfields outside the student’s major focus. Language Requirement Students must demonstrate at least a reading knowledge in one language other than English. In some cases, the student’s advisor may require knowledge of a second language. The choice of language(s) and the method of demonstrating competence should be determined in consultation with the student’s advisor. All students must file a Statement of Plan to Fulfill the Language Requirement by the end of the second quarter of their first year in residency. This includes students who are fully bilingual or whose primary language is not English. Competency may be demon- strated by the following:

  • 1. Placing higher than level 3 in the Lan-

guage Placement Examination,

  • 2. Receiving a grade of at least “B” or “S” in a

reading skills course or level 3 traditional language course, or

  • 3. Alternative certification

In addition, students who plan to conduct fieldwork in a non-English setting must ac- quire conversational skills in the appropriate language before commencing fieldwork. Be- cause language acquisition is a slow process, students are encouraged to begin language training early in their graduate program.

Methodological Skills Requirement Students must demonstrate competency in a qualitative or quantitative methodological skill such as GIS, lithic analysis, statistics, or hiero- glyphic analysis. The choice of methodological skill should be determined in consultation with the student’s advisor. All students must file a Statement of Plan to Fulfill the Methodological Skills Requirement by the end of the second quarter of their first year in residency.

Master’s Examination Students take the master’s examination during the week of winter-quarter examinations of their first year. The examination is based on the material covered in the ANTH 200A and ANTH 200B sequence and is required of all students, including those holding a master’s degree from another institution. Depending on the student’s performance on the test, the faculty will recommend one of the following:

  • 1. Pass with Distinction or High Pass

Automatic continuation in the Ph.D. program and award of the master’s degree under Graduate Division Plan II.

  • 2. Pass

Awarding of the master’s degree under Graduate Division Plan II, but a success- ful retake (Pass with Distinction or High Pass) is required to continue in the Ph.D. program.

  • 3. Fail

Master’s degree not awarded, but one retake within six months is allowed for potential awarding of the master’s degree under Graduate Division Plan II.

The Preliminary Research Statement is designed to present the research orientation for an intended dissertation topic and to explain how the student intends to develop and pursue the area of research. The statement should present a comprehensive plan of study and a timeline covering the remainder of the student’s graduate career, and outline intended areas, theories, and methods. It should be con- sidered a precursor to the materials developed later in the research proposal and the written qualifying examination. Designating a disser- tation committee is part of completing the statement.

The Written Qualifying Examination is a research paper written during a specified two-week period. The examination question is generated by the faculty advisor in consul- tation with the student and the dissertation committee, and must be approved by the department before the student can begin the examination.

The Research Proposal prepares students to undertake dissertation research and provides, in part, the basis for the oral qualifying exam- ination. The length and format of the proposal should be similar to that of a proposal for a major funding agency.

Students must give a Public Oral Presentation to the department, at the James Young Colloqui- um, or at a national or international meeting. This presentation is intended to provide the student with experience in presenting research papers in a public context.

The Oral Qualifying Examination involves a demonstration of general competence in anthropology, combined with an extended discussion of the proposed dissertation research (preparation, methodology, significance, etc.).

Once students have satisfactorily fulfilled the courses requirement (including breadth require- ment), language requirement, methodological skills requirement, master’s examination, preliminary research statement, written qual- ifying examination, research proposal, public presentation, and oral qualifying examination, they are advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. and formally begin research for the dissertation.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense) After advancement to candidacy, students complete a dissertation representing original research within their field of specialization. Dissertations generally require a year of field research followed by an additional year of data analysis and write-up. After completing the dissertation (or a substantial portion of it), students present an oral, public defense of the dissertation.

Professional Development Requirement All students must complete professional development training by the end of their 9th quarter. This is fulfilled by taking ANTH 210B before taking their Ph.D. Oral Exam.

Master’s Degree

The M.A. degree in Anthropology is normally awarded as part of the Ph.D. program, rather than as a separate degree objective.

Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) Candidates complete 36 units, of which at least 18 must be 200-series courses and must include the ANTH 200A and ANTH 200B sequence, and pass a written comprehensive examination prepared by a departmental committee.

M.A. in Anthropology and Education

The M.A is offered in cooperation with the School of Education; see the listing under Education or inquire at either office for fur- ther information.

M.S. Degree

Plan I (Thesis) Candidates must complete 56 units, of which at least 24 must be 200-series courses; courses for the area of specialization as specified by the department; and an accept- able thesis.

Courses