Pitzer College
Anthropology Field Group

 

Requirements for the Major

The major in Anthropology requires a minimum of ten courses. Anthropology includes a variety of subfields, which are incorporated in the major. It is the goal of the major to introduce students to all subfields. However, students often develop special areas of interest within anthropology. To accommodate this diversity, the major offers two alternative tracks. Students interested in combining anthropology with the study of medicine, education, public policy, linguistics, art, or other fields are encouraged to talk to one of the anthropology advisors for recommended courses.

I. The Sociocultural Track Requires:

  1. All of the following courses:
    1. Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
    2. Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
    3. Language, Culture, and Society (or another course in linguistic anthropology)
    21. The World Since 1492
    105. Field Methods in Anthropology
    153. History of Anthropological Theory
  2. A minimum of four electives in Anthropology. Courses taken on Pitzer Study Abroad programs may be eligible, if they are approved by the Anthropology Field Group.

II. The Human Evolution, Prehistory and Material Culture Track requires:

  1. All of the following courses:
    1. Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
    2. Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
    21. The World Since 1492
    101. Theory and Method in Archaeology (or Anth 110PO, Field Methods in Archaeology, or an approved summer Field School)
  2. Two upper level courses selected from the following:
    101. Theory and Method in Archaeology (cannot satisfy two requirements)
    102. Museums and Material Culture
    103. Museums: Behind the Glass
    110. Field Methods in Archeology (Pomona)
    111. Historical Archaeology
    128. Pre-history of the Americas (Pomona)
    161. Greek Art and Archaeology
    164. North American Archaeology
    168. Prehistoric Humans and Their Environments
    170. Human Evolution
  3. A minimum of four electives in anthropology.
    A student may substitute a comparable course for a required course with the permission of the field group. Students majoring in anthropology should consult with their advisor to select for the fulfillment of their formal reasoning requirement a course suited both to their interests in anthropology and their background in mathematics.

Combined Major:

A combined major in Anthropology (Sociocultural Track) requires at least seven courses, including Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology (Anth 2), Language, Culture, and Society (Anth 3), and The World Since 1492 (Anth 21). In addition, students will normally take Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology (Anth 1) or one course primarily in archaeology, biological anthropology, or material culture. A course on field methods (e.g., Anth 105) is strongly recommended. At least two courses for the combined major should be ones at an advanced level in Anthropology that are particularly suited to the interdisciplinary major of the student.

A combined major in Anthropology (Human Evolution, Prehistory and Material Culture Track) requires at least eight courses, including Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology (Anth 1), either Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology (Anth 2) or the World Since 1492 (Anth 21), Theory and Method in Archaeology (Anth 101 or the PO field methods course, or an approved summer field school). In addition, students will take two courses from the advanced courses listed in the catalogue for the major; normally, this will include Historical Archaeology (Anth 111). Finally, students will take at least three other courses in Anthropology, chosen in consultation with the advisor.
For either track, up to two courses may be counted for both fields of the combined major. Where no specific courses are listed in the above requirements, the advisor and student will make a determination of what courses will be taken, and the advisor will then circulate that outcome to the Field Group for approval.

Minor in Anthropology

Students who wish to graduate with a minor in anthropology must satisfactorily complete at least six graded Anthropology courses, at least two of which are listed in the requirements for one or both of the anthropology tracks.

Students planning to continue studies on the graduate level should pay particular attention to the need for faculty consultation, especially with respect to preparation in statistics and foreign languages. Normally, courses in the student’s major cannot be taken on a credit/non-credit basis.
As part of their Pitzer experience, students are encouraged to undertake internships or Pitzer Study Abroad. In the senior year, students may undertake a senior exercise with the guidance of the Anthropology faculty.

Honors

Students who compile extraordinary records in Field Group and other Pitzer courses, and whose senior exercise is deemed outstanding, will be recommended for Honors in Anthropology.