Anthropology, B.A.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
ANT 201 Bison image Cultural Anthropology (CT)3
Core I Critical Thinking
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
Core II Math: MTH 121 or STA 150/STA 150L3-4
Core II Natural/Physical Science4
Core II Humanities3
Core II Fine Arts3
ANT 201 Bison image Cultural Anthropology (CT) (Core II Social Science)3
Additional University Requirements
ANT 201 Bison image Cultural Anthropology (CT) (Multicultural or International)3
ANT 361Ethnographic Research (WI)3
ANT 491 Bison image Theory in Ethnology (WI)3
ANT 493 Bison image Senior Seminar II (Capstone)3
College-Specific
Foreign Language 1013
Foreign Language 1023
Foreign Language 203 or MC, I or GLC Course3
Foreign Language 204 or MC, I or GLC Course3
COLA Humanities3
300/400 Level COLA Humanities (WI)3
300/400 Level COLA Humanities (WI)3
300/400 Level COLA Social Science3
300/400 Level COLA Social Science3
COLA Social Science (not ANT)3
COLA Physical/Natural Science4
Major-Specific
ANT 201 Bison image Cultural Anthropology (CT) (I)3
ANT 322Archaeology3
ANT 331Physical Anthropology3
ANT 361Ethnographic Research3
ANT 371 Bison image Linguistic Anthropology3
ANT 491 Bison image  Cap graduation image Theory in Ethnology3
ANT 492Senior Seminar I3
ANT 493 Bison image Senior Seminar II3
ANT Elective3
ANT Elective3
ANT Elective3
ANT Elective3
ANT Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3

Major Information

  • The total number of free electives will depend on the amount of double and triple counting of requirements.
  • See course attributes each semester for courses that meet multiple requirements.
  • Questions about requirements should be directed to the College of Liberal Arts (304-696-2350). 
  • Forty-eight credit hours (sixteen 3-hour courses) must be at the 300/400 level.
  • Students must earn a C or better in ENG 201 Advanced Composition and all foreign language courses.
  • Minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
  • ANT Electives: A minimum of 15 credits of electives must be chosen from classes with the ANT prefix. A student with a particular anthropological interest that can be best served by courses without the ANT prefix may suggest a coherent selection of up to 9 credits from such classes to be counted towards the major as electives. A plan for such a selection must be presented to and approved by the student’s advisor and the department chair in the student’s junior year or, for those students entering the program at the junior level, at a time stipulated by the chair.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester Plan

From the Greek anthropos (“human”) and logia (“study”), anthropology is the study of humankind. For anthropologists, there are few limits on the scope of our inquiry from distant human origins to present day. Our subject matter is both extraordinary (e.g., mortuary practices of the Toraja) and ordinary (anatomy of the human foot). Our focus can be sweeping (the development of language) and minute (use-wear patterns on a prehistoric obsidian tool). Anthropologists may study ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, intravenous drug use in urban Appalachia, and corporate culture in a U.S. car manufacturer. Anthropology is, by its nature, interdisciplinary and international in both theory and practice. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology receive foundational training that reflects the scope of the discipline and develop capstone projects that provide career-specific training.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
ANT 201 Bison image Cultural Anthropology (CT) 3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
Core II Math: MTH 121 or STA 150/STA 150L 3 or 4
Core II Physical/Natural Science 4
COLA Social Science 3
COLA Humanities 3
 Credit Hours16-17
Second Year
First Semester
ANT 331 Physical Anthropology 3
ANT 371 Bison image Linguistic Anthropology 3
Foreign Language 101 3
COLA Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ANT 322 Archaeology 3
Foreign Language 102 3
COLA Physical/Natural Science 4
Core II Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
ANT 361 Ethnographic Research 3
ANT Elective 3
Foreign Language 203 or MC, I or GLC Course 3
COLA Social Science 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ANT 491 Bison image  Cap graduation image Theory in Ethnology 3
ANT Elective 3
Foreign Language 204 or MC, I or GLC Course 3
COLA Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
ANT 492 Senior Seminar I 3
ANT Elective 3
ANT Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ANT 493 Bison image Senior Seminar II 3
ANT Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours120-121