Anthropology (M.A.)
Master of Arts. Major in Anthropology.
Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the Department of Sociology & Anthropology. See the College of Graduate Studies section for the general requirements applicable to each M.A. degree.
Course work will include either 30 credits plus a foreign language proficiency examination or 36 credits and no foreign language requirement.
Students who did not take at least one course in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeology and at least one course in qualitative or quantitative social science methodologies as an undergraduate will be asked to do so (in consultation with an advisor) at the beginning of their graduate programs. No graduate credit will be awarded for courses taken to satisfy such deficiencies.
A minimum of 18 credits must be at the 500-level. Anthropology courses must be at the 400- or 500-level (cross-listed courses 400-level/500-level courses must be taken at the 500-level), while supporting courses can include 300-level.
No more than 12 credits can be transferred from other institutions, and an official copy of the student's transcripts from each institution must be on file in the Registrar's Office. Such institutions must have a graduate program, and the work must have been taken for graduate credit.
Students who have already received credit for any core course or an equivalent will not need to retake the course but will substitute appropriate courses with approval from their advisor.
Thesis Option
Thesis students must demonstrate competence in the four subfields of anthropology. The thesis option M.A. core courses along with the expected undergraduate preparation (or courses taken as deficiencies as a graduate student) are designed for this purpose.
Thesis students complete the core courses, supporting fields, and anthropology electives, and thesis credits.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 500 | Master's Research and Thesis | 6-10 |
| ANTH 521 | Contemporary Issues in Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| ANTH 570 | Materiality and Human Cultures | 3 |
| ANTH 571 | Cultural Complexity | 3 |
| ANTH 572 | Topics in Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| Select one History and Theory course from the following: | 3 | |
| Anthropological History and Theory | ||
| Archaeological History, Ethics, and Theory | ||
| Select up to 9 credits of electives in anthropology or supporting fields in consultaton with graduate committee chair. At least 3 credits must be 400-500 level Anthropology courses. | 3-9 | |
Non-thesis option
Non-thesis students complete the core courses, a field school or internship, supporting fields electives, anthropology electives, non-thesis credits, and select one sub-field emphasis.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 521 | Contemporary Issues in Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| ANTH 599 | Non-thesis Master's Research | 1-5 |
| Select one History and Theory course from the following: | 3 | |
| Anthropological History and Theory | ||
| Archaeological History, Ethics, and Theory | ||
| Select one Graduate Seminar from the following: | 3 | |
| Materiality and Human Cultures | ||
| Cultural Complexity | ||
| Topics in Biological Anthropology | ||
| Select up to 6 credits in Field School or Internship: 1 | 1-6 | |
| Anthropological Field Methods | ||
| Internship | ||
| Select up to 15 credits in non-thesis subfield emphasis or supporting fields in consultation with graduate committee chair. At least 6 credits must be 400- to 500-level Anthropology courses. | 9-15 | |
Note: Coursework will include either 30 credits plus a foreign language proficiency examination or 36 credits and no foreign language requirement.
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Although students can fulfill their field methods and internship requirement through the University of Idaho, it can also be fulfilled by attending an anthropological or archaeological field school from a fellow institution.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of current anthropological methods and theories.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to produce and communicate the results of original research.
- Students will engage in professional and experiential learning related to anthropology outside of the classroom.