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Anthropology

Catalog pages 113-125

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

Christina Torres, Ph.D., Chair ANTH Dept. Office 1334 Watkins Hall anthropology.ucr.edu

Professors

Derick Fay, Ph.D. Sang-Hee Lee, Ph.D. Christina Schwenkel, Ph.D. Travis Stanton, Ph.D. Christina Torres, Ph.D. João Vargas, Ph.D. Kevin Vaughn, 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. Yolanda Moses, Ph.D. Professor of Graduate Division Sally Allen Ness, Ph.D. Martin Orans, Ph.D. Susan Ossman, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor Thomas C. Patterson, Ph.D. Anne Sutherland, Ph.D. Karl Taube, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor

and Professor of Graduate Division Carlos G. Vélez-Ibáñez, Ph.D. Christine Ward Gailey, Ph.D. Philip J. Wilke, Ph.D.

Associate Professors

Sara K. Becker, Ph.D. Elizabeth Berger, Ph.D. Anthony Jerry, Ph.D. Nawa Sugiyama, Ph.D. Jennifer Syvertsen, Ph.D., MPH Kenichiro Tsukamoto, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Elena Sesma, Ph.D.

Cecilia Vasquez, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Teaching

Worku Nida, Ph.D.

Majors

Anthropologists study the way diverse groups of people understand and live in various settings 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 biological 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? Anthropologists 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 communities, 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, journalism, 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 undergraduate anthropology major help students 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 levels; interviewers; recruiters in executive and specialized employment agencies; staff and managers in various local, state, and federal governmental agencies as well as in a variety of national and international non-governmental 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 planning 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 144K/SEHE 182, ANTH 144O

  • d) Archeology
  • 1) At least two upper division courses

in two different subdiciplines of anthropology:

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

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

ANTH 112, ANTH 113, ANTH 114A, ANTH 114B, ANTH 114C, ANTH 115 E-Z, ANTH 117; ANTH 118, ANTH 129A, ANTH 129B, ANTH 130; ANTH 135; ANTH 151; ANTH 155, ANTH 165E, ANTH 172, ANTH 173, ANTH 178, ANTH 180; ANTH 184; ANTH 185.

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 individual field of concentration specified where appropriate (Medical Anthropology, Black and Black Diaspora Studies, and Archeology).

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 undergraduate students with junior standing who have completed LWSO 100 with a grade of “C” or higher. 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 Anthropology. 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 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 requirements of the major, students may not count more than two courses toward both parts of their total requirements (Anthropology requirements 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 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/GSST 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/GSST 178

  • b) Physical/Biological Anthropology

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

  • c) Linguistic Anthropology

ANTH 167/LING 167

  • 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 settings 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 subfields — sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics anthropology — are crosscut by a series of Designated Emphases in Critical Southeast Asian Studies, Medical and Health Humanities, Middle East and Islamic Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Speculative Fictions and Cultures of Science, Public Policy, and Global Black Diaspora. The department has close working relationships with other programs on campus.

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

Admission Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree or its approved equivalent from an accredited institution and have attained an undergraduate record that satisfies the standards established by the Graduate Division and University Graduate Council.

Applicants must supply 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 year-long seminar sequence ANTH 200A, ANTH 200B, and ANTH 200C (Core Theory in Anthropology). Students must acquire a basic understanding of three of the four subfields (sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics). To fulfill the breadth requirement, students must take at least one graduate course in each of two subfields knowledge include but are not limited to:

Cultural Anthropology ANTH 201-205, 208, 208, 211, 217, 251, 256, 257, 161, 262, 263, 265, 266, 267, 277, 278-281

Archaeology: ANTH 206, 207, 209, 217, 218, 220, 228, 252, 255, 258, 264

Biological Anthropology ANTH 144, 164, 165F, 253

Linguistics ANTH 167, 165I, 259

To fulfill the breadth requirement, students must take at least one graduate course in each of two subfields outside of the student's chosen subfield.

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 demonstrated by the following:

  • 1. Placing higher than level 3 in the Language

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 acquire conversational skills in the appropriate language before commencing fieldwork. Alternative language certification identified by the department.

Methodological Skills Requirement Students must demonstrate competency in a qualitative or quantitative methodological skill such as GIS, lithic analysis, statistics, or ethnography. The choice of methodological skill and course 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.

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 considered a precursor to the materials developed later in the research proposal and the written qualifying examination. Desingating a dissertation committee is part of completing the statement.

The Written Qualifying Examination is a series of essays written during a specified two-week period. The examination questions, based on pre-approved bibliographies, are generated by the faculty advisor in consultation 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 examination. The length and format of the proposal should be similar to that of a proposal for a major funding agency, and should include literature review, objectives, methodology, and significance of research..

The Oral Qualifying Examination involves a demonstration of general competence in anthropology, combined with an extended discussion of the proposed dissertation research.

Once students have satisfactorily fulfilled the courses requirement (including breadth requirement), language requirement, methodological skills requirement, preliminary research statement, written qualifying 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. After completing the dissertation (or a substantial portion of it), students present an oral, public defense of the dissertation.

A dissertation defense will occur in an in-person format by default, with the student and all committee members physically present in the room. If one or more participants is unable to attend an in-person defense within the appropriate time frame, some or all participants may attend remotely via video conferencing software. The decision to adopt a remote or hybrid defense modality should be mutually agreed upon by the committee chair and the student, and the student must notify the Graduate Advisor of the change at least three weeks prior to the defense. If the defense participants cannot reach a consensus regarding the defense modality, the Graduate Advisor will arvitrate the modality.

Normative time to degree: The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. degree is 24 quarters eight years. Students are expected to take three years to achieve ABD status. Dissertations typically invovle one two two years of field research, followed by an additional one to two years for data analysis and writing..

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.

Core Theory and the Master's Examination The Master's examination consists of successfully completing the Core Theory sequence (ANTH 200A, 200B and 200C). All students are required to complete the Core Theory sequence in their first year, whether or not they elect to obtain the M.A. degree. For students who choose to obtain the M.A. degree, completing Core with a grade of B or above will count as the Master's Examination.

Professional Development Requirement All students must complete professional development training by the end of their 3rd quarter. This is fulfilled by taking ANTH 210A.

Normative time to degree: The normative time for completion of the M.A. degree is 3 quarters.

Candidates complete 36 units, of which at least 18 must be 200-series courses and must include the ANTH 200A, ANTH 200B, and ANTH 200C sequence.

Courses