B.S. in Anthropology
Harrisonburg, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Anthropology is the documenting of the diverse ways humans live.
At JMU, anthropology majors review many different factors to uncover the answers to these deep questions. The examination of artifacts, beliefs, and values helps anthropologists to obtain specific clues about human life. In order to gather information about beliefs and values, anthropologists often work directly with the people who they are studying.
This fascinating, hands-on field offers a lifetime of learning experiences and remarkably flexible career options.
The anthropology program at JMU is designed to introduce students to the breadth of the discipline illustrating the topics and issues of the modern world that are addressed by its four sub-fields: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archeology, and linguistics. Building from a general program, students can choose to concentrate in the theory and practice of any of the subfields except linguistics.
The program is strongly practice-oriented and encourages students to participate in internships, field schools, independent studies, and special topics that allow them to broaden their anthropological awareness. All of the faculty are actively involved in significant research within their chosen areas of study. This scholarship is not only reflected in courses that are current and informed by practical experience, but also in a wide range of opportunities for students to be mentored by faculty in collaborative research projects.
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Quantitative requirement 3 Credit Hours 2
- Scientific Literacy requirement 3-4 Credit Hours 2
- University electives 35-36 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) and electives 41 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR], is strongly recommended for those students who have not taken that course or an equivalent as part of their General Education.
Major Requirements
To earn a B.A. or B.S. degree in anthropology, students complete 41 credit hours in the major. Given the diverse opportunities the discipline provides, the major is designed to allow students the opportunity to work closely with their advisers to develop a curriculum appropriate to their personal and professional interests. Those students wishing to do so may elect to pursue a concentration in one of the three sub-disciplines of cultural, biological or archaeological anthropology.
The concentrations guide students in choosing courses to enhance opportunities for graduate school or allow them to pursue an area of personal interest within the larger discipline of anthropology. Up to two elective courses from a discipline outside of anthropology may be applied to the major. Elective courses from outside of the program must be approved by the student’s adviser and must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students must receive at least a “C-” in a class to have it count toward the major.
General Concentration
The general program provides students with a holistic introduction to the breadth of anthropology highlighting experience in the subdisciplines of cultural, archaeological, and biological anthropology, as well as introductory experiences in linguistics. The program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the discipline in preparation for advanced graduate training or as an adjunct to their personal and professional aspirations.
Required Courses
- ANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology [C4GE] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 196. Biological Anthropology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 197. Archaeology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 201. The Discipline of Anthropology Credits: 1.00
- ANTH 375. Anthropological Theory Credits: 3.00 1
- One elective from each of the following: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology 9 Credit Hours
- Other electives 15 Credit Hours 2,3
One course from the following: 4 Credit Hours
- ANTH 435. Ethnographic Genres and Methods Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 445. Methods and Research Perspectives in Biological Anthropology Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 455. Archaeology: Methods of Analysis and Interpretation Credits: 4.00
Footnotes
1 Students should take two of ANTH 195, ANTH 196 or ANTH 197 and at least one anthropology elective before taking ANTH 375.
2 Students may take up to two adviser approved electives at the 300 or 400 level from courses outside the program.
3 Students should consider including ANTH 305. Language and Culture as one of their electives.
Anthropology Course Designations
Archaeology (A)
- ANTH 197. Archaeology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 205. Buried Cities, Lost Tribes: The Rise and Fall of Early Human Societies [C2HQC] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 250. Anthropology of the American Southwest Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 307. Climate, Culture and Change Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 311. Archaeology of Virginia Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 312. The Native Americans Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 325. Aztec, Maya and Their Predecessors Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 327. Ancient North American Civilizations Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 331. Historical Archaeology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 366. Anthropology of War Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 410. Spatial Analysis for Anthropologists Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 455. Archaeology: Methods of Analysis and Interpretation Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 486. Internship in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 490. Special Studies in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ANTH 492. History from Things: Material Culture Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 494. Field Techniques in Archaeology Credits: 4.00 - 8.00
- ANTH 496. Research Thesis Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 499. Honors Thesis Credits: 6.00
Biological Anthropology (B)
- ANTH 196. Biological Anthropology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 315. Human Evolution Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 316. Human Evolutionary Psychology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 317. Primate Evolutionary Ecology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 318. The Evolution of Primate Sexuality and Reproduction Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 319. Human Osteology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 352. Birth, Death, Sex: Exploring Demography Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 410. Spatial Analysis for Anthropologists Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 415. Anthropological Genetics Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 430. Primate Conservation Biology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 445. Methods and Research Perspectives in Biological Anthropology Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 486. Internship in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 490. Special Studies in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ANTH 499. Honors Thesis Credits: 6.00
Cultural Anthropology (C)
- ANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology [C4GE] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 265. Peoples and Cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 280. Peoples and Cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 295. People and Cultures of East Asia Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 300. The Anthropology of Food Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 305. Language and Culture Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 306. Japanese Society and Culture Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 323. Anthropology and Photography Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 324. Mindfulness and Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 350. Magic, Witchcraft and Religion Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 352. Birth, Death, Sex: Exploring Demography Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 360. Medical Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 364. U.S./Latin American Borders Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 366. Anthropology of War Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 368. Contemporary American Culture Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 370. Topics in the Anthropology of Gender Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 375. Anthropological Theory Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 376. Anthropology of Reproduction Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 377. Space/Culture/Power Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 388. Prisons, Punishment and the State Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 389. Ethnographic Experience in Dominica Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 390. Topics in Cultural Studies Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 405. Topics in Linguistic Anthropology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 410. Spatial Analysis for Anthropologists Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 411. Topics in Ethnographic Film Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 435. Ethnographic Genres and Methods Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 436. Afro-Latin America Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 486. Internship in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 490. Special Studies in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ANTH 499. Honors Thesis Credits: 6.00
Field Experience (F)
- ANTH 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
- ANTH 435. Ethnographic Genres and Methods Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 455. Archaeology: Methods of Analysis and Interpretation Credits: 4.00
- ANTH 494. Field Techniques in Archaeology Credits: 4.00 - 8.00
Required for All Anthropology Majors (R)
- ANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology [C4GE] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 196. Biological Anthropology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 197. Archaeology Credits: 3.00
- ANTH 201. The Discipline of Anthropology Credits: 1.00
- ANTH 375. Anthropological Theory Credits: 3.00
Writing Intensive (W)
- ANTH 375. Anthropological Theory Credits: 3.00
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
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Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.