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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Anthropology, BA


Banner Code:  LA-BA-ANTH
Web: soan.gmu.edu

College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences  
Department: Sociology and Anthropology  

Anthropology is the study of human beings and their cultures. The bachelor of arts degree in anthropology draws broadly from the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. It is a strong undergraduate major that provides a sound interdisciplinary preparation for a variety of careers.

This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program.  See Anthropology, BA/Anthropology, Accelerated MA  for specific requirements.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see Academic Policies .

Degree Requirements


Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core  requirements. Students pursuing a BA in anthropology must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree  in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credits within the major, with a minimum GPA of 2.00. 

Students are advised to consult with an advisor to learn how they can fulfill Mason Core  requirements in global understanding, information technology, and synthesis, as well as the college-level requirement in non-Western culture.

Eight elective courses (24 credits)


  • Students choose electives from ANTH courses at the 300- and 400-level.

Total: 36 credits


Writing-Intensive Requirement


The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in anthropology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ANTH 490 .

Mason Core (40 credits)


Note: some Mason Core  requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above.  Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core  requirements.

Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category.

College Level Requirements for the BA degree


In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

Philosophy or religious studies (3 credits)


Fulfilled by any course in philosophy or religious studies (PHIL, RELI) except for PHIL 323 , 324 , 327 , 393 , 460 PHIL 253  and RELI 235  cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core  literature requirement.

Social and behavioral science (3 credits)


3 credits in addition to the university-wide requirement in social and behavioral science for a total of 6 credits. The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and university requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.  This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any course in ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GOVT, HIST (except 100 or 125), LING, PSYC, or SOCI and these courses in GGS: 101 , 103 , 110 , 301 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 315 , 316 , 320 , 325 , 330 , 357 , 380 .

Foreign language


Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202, 209, or 210 (or higher level courses taught in the language) or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. A three course sequence in American Sign Language (EDSE 115 - American Sign Language (ASL) I EDSE 116 - American Sign Language (ASL) II , and EDSE 219 - American Sign Language (ASL) III  will also meet the foreign language requirement. Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Non-Western culture (3 credits)


3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture  in addition to the course used to fulfill the Mason Core  requirement in global understanding. A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Electives


Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits