Mar 29, 2024  
2020/2021 University Catalog 
    
2020/2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Anthropology


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OFFICE: Arts and Letters 448
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5527 / FAX: 619-594-1150
E-MAIL: anthro@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: http://anthropology.sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Information

Faculty

Emeritus: Ball, Conway, Gamble, Greenfeld, Henry, Himes, Leach, Lippold, Moore, Pendleton, Rohrl, Rollefson, Watson, Whitney
Chair: Sobo
Professors: Braje, Lauer, Mallios, Pérez, Riley, Sobo
Associate Professors: Mayes, Robb Larkins, Ullah
Assistant Professors: Mathwich, Roulette

The Major

Anthropologists study the biological characteristics, evolutionary history, geographic distribution, environmental adaptations, linguistic practices, social relationships, institutions, customs, knowledge, myths, and cultural processes of human populations.

The anthropology major provides a broad background for the various specialized areas in the field: (a) archaeology, the analysis of past cultures through a focus on material remains or artifacts; (b) socio-cultural anthropology, the study of socio-cultural processes and diversity; (c) linguistic anthropology, the analysis of cultural differences in communication; and (d) biological anthropology, the study of past and present human and primate populations.

Employment opportunities for anthropology graduates include academic research and teaching as well as nonacademic or applied careers, for example in nonprofit associations, federal, state, local government, and international agencies; in health care, business, and manufacturing organizations; at research institutes; at zoos or wildlife preserves; on environmental projects, doing human-impact assessment or resource management; and in museums.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser during the first semester after declaration or change of major.

Impacted Program

The anthropology major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the anthropology major, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or better: ANTH 101 , ANTH 102 , and ANTH 103 . These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
  3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.


Graduate Information

Faculty

Elisa J. Sobo, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology, Chair of Department
Todd J. Braje, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Matthew T. Lauer, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Seth W. Mallios, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Ramona L. Pérez, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Erin P. Riley, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology (Graduate Adviser)
Arion T. Mayes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology
Erika M. Robb Larkins, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology
Isaac I.T. Ullah, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology
Nicole M. Mathwich, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Casey J. Roulette, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Scholarships

The department offers three competitive, internal scholarship programs, the Norton Allen Scholarship, the Al Sonek Biological Anthropology Scholarship, and the Pitt Warner Endowed Anthropology Scholarship. The department also hires graduate students for a variety of graduate assistant (GA) and instructional student assistant (ISA) positions. Applications and additional information can be found on the department website at http://anthropology.sdsu.edu/.

General Information

The department offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in anthropology. The Master of Arts degree in anthropology provides systematic training through two specializations; (1) general anthropology specialization, with a strong theoretical component, for students who anticipate additional work leading to the doctoral degree in anthropology, or direct placement in an academic setting; (2) an applied anthropology specialization primarily for those who plan to seek employment in the nonacademic sector. This specialization is  concerned with the application of anthropological method and theory to practical problems in business, government, and other settings.

Research and special instructional facilities provided by the Department of Anthropology include laboratories for archaeology, biological anthropology/primatology, environmental anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. Additional facilities available in the community include the Museum of Man, the San Diego Zoo, and various internship sites for applied research.

Students who graduate with the Master of Arts degree in anthropology in either the general or applied anthropology specialization will be prepared for a variety of opportunities, including teaching careers.

Admission to Graduate Study

To be considered for graduate admission at San Diego State University, applicants must follow the three step process outlined below. For more detailed information regarding the admissions process, visit http://anthropology.sdsu.edu/graduate.html.

Step 1: Complete the Cal State Apply application by the SDSU deadline (see http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/grad/index.html for dates).

Applicants must submit the California State University application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the nonrefundable application fee. Cal State Apply will begin to accept applications October 1. Once applicants have submitted the Cal State Apply application, a RedID number will be assigned and e-mailed within 3-5 business days. The RedID number will allow applicants to track the status of their application through the SDSU WebPortal at http://www.sdsu.edu/portal.

Step 2: Submit official transcripts and test scores to Graduate Admissions by the SDSU priority cycle deadline (see http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/grad/index.html for dates).

After applicants have submitted the Cal State Apply application and received their RedID number, applicants must send official transcripts and test scores to Graduate Admissions. Sending transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application will result in processing delays.

Applicants must provide the following:

  1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) issued within the last year, from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. Students who previously attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for coursework completed since last attendance. Hard copies of SDSU transcripts are not required;

    Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified literal English translation. For country specific requirements, visit http://anthropology.sdsu.edu/graduate.html;
     
  2. GRE scores sent directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using SDSU Institution Code 4682. University requires that all sections (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing) of the GRE be completed;
  3. TOEFL scores are required of all applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English. A minimum score of 80 is required. Scores should be sent directly from ETS using SDSU Institution Code 4682.

The above listed materials should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

For further questions regarding Steps 1 and 2, contact Graduate Admissions at 619-594-6336 or e-mail admissions@sdsu.edu. International applicants may contact the international recruitment office at 619-594-1847 or e-mail intladmission@sdsu.edu.

Step 3: Complete anthropology Master of Arts online application by the SDSU priority cycle deadline. For information regarding the admissions process, visit the department website at http://anthropology.sdsu.edu.

The anthropology Master of Arts application requires the following items:

  1. Statement of purpose. The statement of purpose is a very important part of the application, as it allows the faculty to assess intellectual sophistication, writing skills, clarity of purpose, and potential for success in the Master of Arts program. The statement of purpose should be limited to two to three single-spaced pages and clearly articulate intended research interests, including geographical interests (if appropriate). If research plans are not yet fully developed, clarify what topics and issues in anthropology the applicant is most interested in pursuing and propose possible contexts in which to study them. Statements should not be an extended narrative about personal history, except as relevant to research plans. Elements that would make for a strong statement include, but are not limited to: the intellectual and/or applied importance of the area of interest; a discussion of preparedness to undertake graduate level study (e.g., coursework, field schools, previous research experience, etc.); the name of at least one SDSU anthropology faculty member who would be a suitable thesis adviser and an explanation of her/his selection; and, a discussion of the compatibility of interests with the SDSU anthropology program/faculty research areas;
  2. Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (these do not need to be sent directly from the colleges - photocopies are acceptable);
  3. Copies of GRE (if applicable, TOEFL) test scores;
  4. Three letters of recommendation. Applicant must provide names and e-mail of three individuals who can write a letter of recommendation on the applicant’s behalf, who know the applicant well, and can evaluate the applicant’s ability to perform and succeed at the graduate level. Requests for letters of recommendation will be e-mailed to the recommenders via e-mail address provided by applicant;
  5. Sample of written work representative of the applicant’s research and writing skills;
  6. Curriculum vitae or resume.

For further questions regarding Step 3, contact the Department of Anthropology at 619-594-5527, or e-mail anthro@sdsu.edu.

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . Except under special circumstances, prospective applicants must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

  1. Hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent as determined by the Division of Graduate Affairs;
  2. Have attained at least a 3.0 GPA on all work leading to the bachelor’s degree and subsequent post-baccalaureate coursework;
  3. Have been in good standing in the last institution attended; and
  4. Have a combined verbal and quantitative GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score of at least 950 on the old test (prior to August 1, 2011) or 294 on the new test and a minimum of 4.0 on the analytic essay.

Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements but who do not have a strong background in anthropology may be admitted conditionally. Conditionally admitted students will be required to complete specified courses in addition to the minimum 33 units required for the Master of Arts degree.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . In addition, the department requires for either the General Anthropology specialization or the Applied Anthropology specialization that the student must:

  1. Complete all deficiency courses (needed only if admitted with conditional graduate standing);
  2. Complete at least 18 units of program study coursework;
  3. Complete at least three of the four required core courses;
  4. Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all other courses applied to the Master of Arts degree including any transfer credit;
  5. Inform the graduate adviser to submit a program of study (POS);
  6. Form a thesis committee;
  7. Complete a thesis proposal and have it approved by the student’s committee. Submit a thesis approval form (available on the department website at http://anthropology.sdsu.edu) to the graduate adviser;
  8. Obtain human and/or animal subjects approval (if applicable);
  9. Submit a signed Appointment to Thesis Committee form to the graduate program adviser.

Programs

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