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Department of
Anthropology

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Major & Minor

Explore and Discover. Anthropology is the study of human diversity and unity in all times and places. It brings together perspectives from the sciences and humanities to illuminate different aspects of the human past, the human body, and contemporary social life. Global perspectives, fieldwork, and experiential learning, as well as concerns with ethics, justice, and social well-being, are hallmarks of anthropology. Vanderbilt’s program has a strong research focus on Latin America and historically marginalized groups, especially indigenous people and descendants of the African diaspora.

Major | Minor | Major/Minor Declaration

The Major in Anthropology

An undergraduate degree in anthropology from Vanderbilt University offers students an intellectually rich and multidisciplinary educational experience, combining rigorous academic training and diverse research opportunities.

Understanding the full diversity of human histories and lifeways is vital to imagining pathways to a better world. The anthropology major develops such understanding through experiential learning that challenges students to go beyond the familiar; to see, understand, create, and interact in new ways. This preparation is useful in all professional careers that involve understanding human behavior, working with people from different backgrounds, analyzing complex information, and thinking holistically about the conditions that shape people’s lives. The major spans scientific, social scientific, and humanistic approaches to the study of people in all times and places.

Requirements

The major in anthropology requires completion of at least 30 credit hours of course work, as follows:

  • 6 credit hours. Two 1000-level surveys selected from the subfields of anthropology: 1101 (Cultural Anthropology), 1201 (Archaeology), 1301 (Biological Anthropology), 1601 (Linguistic Anthropology). A course in a third subfield is strongly recommended (in consultation with the adviser).
  • 3 credit hours. A seminar on anthropological theory (2101 or 2102). The seminar may not count towards the theme requirement.
  • 3 credit hours. A course on anthropological methods; this class may not count towards the theme requirement. Courses that satisfy the methods requirement include 2211, 2603, 3120, 3150, 3260, 3261, 3262, 3372, 3866, 4373, 5112, 5604. Other anthropology courses can count in consultation with the adviser.
  • 12 credit hours. Students take four upper-level courses from a predesigned theme or from a theme that they design in consultation with their adviser:
    • Environment, landscape, and place (2109, 2113, 2114, 2150, 2160, 2214, 2220, 2221, 2222, 2225, 2227, 3121, 3138, 3200, 3240, 3250, 4154, 4155)
    • Healing, medicine, and culture (2113/W, 2227, 2342, 2370, 3121, 3125, 3138, 3143, 3144, 3145, 3343, 3344, 3345, 3346, 3371, 3372, 4345, 4373)
    • Social politics and power (2105, 2106, 2108, 2109, 2110, 2130, 2242, 2342, 2375, 3121, 3122, 3125, 3130, 3132, 3133, 3134, 3135, 3138, 3161, 3162, 3241, 3232, 3243, 3250, 3343, 3345, 4152, 4153)
    • Identity, ethnicity, and gender (2105, 2110, 2113W, 2160/W, 2227, 2375, 3144, 3145, 3343)
    • Biocultural foundations in health, genetics, forensics, and ethics (2227, 2342, 2370, 2371, 3138, 3141, 3143, 3344, 3345, 3446, 3371, 3372, 4345, 4373)
    • Language, cognition, and culture (2601, 2602, 2603, 3140, 3150/W, 3243/W, 3620, 3622/W, 4155, 5614, 6614, 6615)
  • 3 credit hours. One capstone experience in engaged anthropology. In consultation with their adviser, students may fulfill this requirement by:
    • Taking ANTH 3125; or
    • Completing an independent study, internship, or honors thesis; or
    • Doing a special capstone project in any 2000-level or higher anthropology course with approval of their advisor and the course instructor.
    • The capstone project course may also count toward a theme concentration.
  • Minimum 3 credit hours of electives chosen from ANTH courses not already used to satisfy the requirements listed above, to total 30 credit hours toward the major.

With the approval of the student’s major adviser, a maximum of 3 credit hours for a course taken in another department or program may be counted toward the major requirement. A variety of courses is possible, including but not limited to those listed below. In each case, the course must be relevant to the student’s program and the student must receive the approval of the director of undergraduate studies.

  • African American and Diaspora Studies 2178, 3178
  • Biological Sciences 2205
  • History 1270, 2490
  • History of Art 2210, 3240W
  • Human and Organizational Development 3200
  • Latin American Studies 2301, 2601
  • Latino/a Studies 2201
  • Mathematics 1010, 1011
  • Medicine, Health, and Society 1930, 3010, 3110, 2420, 2130, 2250, 3140, 3210, 3220, 3150, 2430, 2240, 3250
  • Music Literature 1100, 1105, 2100, 2110
  • Religious Studies 3079, 3178, 2472, 3142, 4554, 4837
  • Sociology 3001, 3313, 3311, 3314, 3221, 3231, 3232
  • Spanish 3330, 3360, 3370

The Minor in Anthropology

The minor in anthropology requires 18 credit hours of course work, as follows:

  • 3 credit hours. One introductory course from one of the four subfields in Anthropology: 1101 (cultural anthropology), 1301 (biological anthropology), 1201 (archaeology), 1601 (linguistics).
  • 3 credit hours. One method or one theory course listed in the major; see above.
  • 12 credit hours. Four courses from one of the six themes listed above, designed in consultation with the adviser. See major requirements above.

Declaring a Major or Minor

Students who wish to declare a major or minor in anthropology need to complete the Major/Minor Declaration/Change form. See the Major/Minor Declaration User Guide for more information.

Once the form is submitted, the Director of Undergraduate Studies will approve the declaration and assign an adviser to the student. If a specific adviser is desired, please contact the DUS directly, explaining why this adviser is requested. Requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.

The student will receive email notification of the approval or denial with the adviser’s contact information. It is the student’s responsibility to contact their adviser in order to set up an orientation meeting, which allows the student to gain information on a variety of topics, including major/minor requirements. Please be aware that there is generally a moratorium on approval of new declarations during spring and fall registration periods.

Please contact Dr. Jacob Sauer, director of undergraduate studies, with any questions.

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