ANTHROPOLOGY Program
Despite its relatively small size, the Anthropology Program at Marshall University incorporates a number of resources typically expected of much larger departments. These include an Archaeological Laboratory, where materials from the annual summer field school are stored and analyzed. The program also owns an extensive collection of ethnographic artifacts from all over the world (formerly of the Sunrise Museum in Charleston, WV). We are part of the work of the Oral History of Appalachia Collection, a vast oral history archive comprised of thousands of interviews conducted in Appalachia over the last 40 years. No other anthropology program in West Virginia has such resources, available for research to both students and faculty, in and out of state.
Anthropology is the systematic study of humans, their practices, and the myriad ways they experience these practices. Anthropologists study humanity in its diverse cultural, social, physical, and linguistic forms. As an academic discipline, anthropology bridges the humanities and social sciences in addressing fundamental questions having to do not only with how the human world works and how people negotiate their social and cultural realities but also with what it means to be human. Anthropology draws from pre-historical, historical, and contemporary cases and is distinct in addressing all levels of sociopolitical organization and subsistence strategies ranging from foraging bands and horticultural tribes to modern industrialized states and the globalized realities of the world today. Anthropology is, by its nature, interdisciplinary and international in both theory and practice.
Our program offers students from diverse backgrounds the
opportunity to thoroughly and creatively explore the world and peoples around
them. Anthropology classes stress the exchange of ideas and build strength in
critical thinking, communication, and intellectual exploration. An
anthropological perspective will become increasingly important in the 21st
century. There is today a growing demand for sensitivity to the values, beliefs,
and cultural structures of other groups that might be different from one's own.
In all parts of society, people progressively need the ability to live, work,
and appreciate diversity while simultaneously becoming more aware of the
relations that connect various groups and the commonalities they share.
As reported by the American Anthropological Association and
the Society for American Archaeology, demand for graduates with degrees in
anthropology is high. Anthropology graduates work in many fields in which
research on humans and their behavior is needed, including private corporations,
nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Anthropology majors commonly
find employment in state and federal governments, non-governmental and other
international aid organizations, education, business, human resources, social
work, historical resource management/field-technicians in archaeology, and,
increasingly, health care. Many anthropology majors continue to graduate school
in such fields as: anthropology, history, law, geography, or medicine.
The anthropology program at
Program Mission
Statement
The Anthropology Program at Marshall University has a mission to provide students with an understanding of the nature and role of varied cultural forms throughout human history as well as the intellectual skills that can enable them to think critically about a similarly wide range of contemporary issues. A corollary of this primary element of our mission is our intent to help students see the relevance of anthropological theory and methods within different contexts as well as apply these approaches in their lives as individuals, members of families and local communities, and as creative citizens of different nations and the world.
We maintain that our mission is best fulfilled by a curriculum in which human cultural diversity is approached from the complementary perspectives of sociocultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, physical anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. The program is designed to provide each major a solid and systematic foundation in the basic principles, theories, and techniques of analysis within these four disciplinary subfields. Since students majoring in anthropology vary in their interests and career goals, the curriculum allows for flexibility in developing individual courses of study, including opportunities for elective course offerings and independent study.
Majors who successfully complete the program will be able to understand and apply core anthropological concepts (such as culture, social organization and social structure, and adaptation), and formulate reasonable arguments and defensible positions on the fundamental questions addressed by the discipline at large – such as the past, present and future of human diversity and the evolutionary basis of human cultural and biological variation. Consistent with our mission, we stress the application of knowledge in each of these areas. Finally, because many areas of inquiry within the discipline are subject to ongoing investigation and debate, we prepare our majors to continue their own pursuit of anthropological and other forms of knowledge after they graduate and assume various roles in their communities.
Program Objectives
The primary objectives of the Anthropology Program are to provide learning opportunities that:
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introduce students to the various theoretical perspectives of anthropology and historical development of the discipline as a social science
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enable students to understand the interrelationships among the cultural, social, and biological bases of human behavior
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help students achieve competence in understanding, critically assessing, and applying core anthropological concepts
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equip students with a knowledge of research methods appropriate to the four fields of anthropology
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provide students with the means to consider the nature and consequences for varied forms of discrimination and inequality and to explore social alternatives
See two recent Marshall Anthropology Alumni speak reflect on their experiences in the program and its value to them as they begin their careers.
Masters Degree Programs in Anthropology
Graduate Minor in Anthropology
A minor in anthropology is earned by taking at least 6 credit hours in courses at the 500- or 600- level in Anthropology as approved by the student’s advisor and the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
MA in Sociology - Anthropology Graduate Area of Emphasis
The requirements for the Area of Emphasis of 12 credit hours include:
ANT 600 Ethnographic Methods
ANT 567 Culture through Ethnography or
ANT 591 Theory in Ethnology
An additional two classes (6 credit hours) of
courses at the 500- or 600-level in Anthropology as approved by the student's
advisor and the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Sociology and
Anthropology and included in the Plan of Study mentioned above.
Students who opt for the Anthropology Area of Emphasis have to choose courses from two out of the four sociology focus areas if they write a thesis or from three out of the four sociology focus areas if they write a problem report to comply with the breadth requirements discussed above.
Bachelors Degree Programs in Anthropology
Major in Anthropology
To graduate with a major in anthropology, a student must
take 39 credits of required core classes and electives as described below.
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ANT 201 Cultural Anthropology
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ANT 322 Archaeology
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ANT 331 Physical Anthropology
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ANT 478 Introduction to Sociolinguistics (cross listed with ENG 478)
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ANT 361 Ethnographic Methods
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ANT 391 Junior Seminar (a professional preparation course)
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ANT 491 Theory in Ethnology
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ANT 492 Anthropological Analysis (Capstone)
An additional minimum of 15 credits of electives must be
chosen from classes with the ANT prefix; these electives must include a minimum
of 3 credits archaeology and 3 credits socio-cultural anthropology. All classes
numbered ANT 320-329 and ANT 420-429 count as archaeology. All classes numbered
ANT 350-369, ANT 410-419 and ANT 450-469 count as socio-cultural anthropology.
Classes with an area study focus (ANT 440-449) count as socio-cultural
anthropology, except ANT 440 African Cultures, ANT 441
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.
See the career links to the LEFT if you would like more information about what a degree in Anthropology could mean for you.
The very best Anthropology
students are encouraged to consider graduating with program honors.
To graduate with Honors in Anthropology a student must enroll in two subsequent
3 credit courses for a total of 6 credits over one year; ANT 492 Anthropological
Analysis (Capstone) and a 3 credit ANT 485 Independent Study will be the
ordinary sequence, but if necessary the courses can be taken in the reversed
order.
The prerequisites for
obtaining permission to pursue the Honors in Anthropology option are: the
student must be a declared Anthropology major in Junior or Senior standing, have
a GPA in all concluded anthropology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and have a
written agreement with a faculty member, who will act as the advisor. In the
first term, the student will prepare a study plan and literature review for an
independent research project; at the end of the term, this work must be
presented to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together
determine the grade.
The prerequisites for pursuing
the second term of the honors option include: an "A" in the first term, a GPA in
all concluded anthropology classes of a minimum of 3.5, and written permission
by the advisor. In the second semester, the student will conduct the proposed
research project and report her/his findings (the report will ordinarily be a
written paper, but can be supplemented by presentations in other media – an
exhibition, a film, etc.). At the end of the term, this work must be presented
to a committee of at least three faculty members who will together determine the
grade. The grade "A" for the work in the second term will be recognized on the
students' diploma as "Graduating with Honors in Anthropology".
Minor in Anthropology
A minor in anthropology requires 15 credits. As listed below, 9 of these credits constitute the core of the minor. The reminder of the required credits can be taken from any class with the ANT prefix. A maximum of 6 credits below 300-level can be counted towards the minor. The required core of the anthropology minor consists of 9 credits (3 classes):
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ANT 201 Cultural Anthropology
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ANT 322 Archaeology
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ANT 361 Ethnographic Methods or ANT 491 Theory in Ethnology
Marshall Plan Computer Competency
requirement
By successfully completing ANT 492, anthropology majors fulfill the Computer Competency requirement.
Marshall Plan Capstone requirement
By successfully completing ANT 492, anthropology majors fulfill the Capstone requirement.
General Education Requirements Notice: Students majoring or minoring in anthropology
are strongly encouraged to discuss with an advisor (in the department and/or in
the office of the dean of the
Regents Bachelors of Arts Degree - Anthropology Area of Emphasis
The Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Program is a non-traditional program designed for the adult student. If you need a college degree to advance your career, if you have an associate's degree and would like to build on that foundation, or if you are seeking intellectual growth or personal achievement, this may be the program for you. If you have earned college credit in the past, but your work or other responsibilities have prevented you from completing your degree, consider a RBA with an Anthropology Area of Emphasis.
Area of Emphasis in Anthropology (18 hours):
ANT 201 (Cultural Anthropology); ANT 332 (Archaeology); ANT 361 (Ethnographic Methods) or ANT 491 (Theory in Ethnology); and 9 additional hours at the 300-400 level.
ANTHR0POLOGY STUDENT ADVISING SHEETS
You may use an "unofficial" but easier to read, combined version here
ANTHROPOLOGY GLOBAL NEWS FEED
Anthropology Faculty
Robin Conley, Instructor
PhD University of California, Los Angeles
linguistic and legal anthropology
Nicholas Freidin, Professor
DPhil Archaeology University of Oxford, Keble College
Archaeology, prehistory and
contact period, Eastern Woodlands
Director of Summer Archaeology Field School & Lab
Brian Hoey, Associate Professor
PhD University of Michigan
Migration, cultural and identity politics, place and personhood; health; ethnographic methods
Director of Undergraduate Studies
ANTHRO Journal at Marshall
Collaborative Anthropologies is a journal meant to engage the growing and ever-widening discussion of collaborative research and practice in anthropology and closely related fields.
Edited by Luke Eric Lassiter, Director of the Graduate Humanities Program at the Marshall University Graduate College in Charleston, WV. Dr. Lassiter is an affiliate of the Anthropology Program.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDSCHOOL
Archaeology, the science of reconstructing and
understanding past and present cultures from their material remains, is taught
in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at 
instruction is strongly encouraged.
The department provides the opportunity for students to learn the basic
techniques of surveying, excavation and recording, to experience the thrill of
discovery, by offering an annual archaeological field school, a three to six
credit course (ANT 323), during Summer Session 5.
This kind of practical experience is a big asset for those who wish to
continue in archaeology as a career.
The sites investigated by the field school in the last twenty plus years cover the span of human occupation in West Virginia, from the Early Archaic, at St-Albans (ca. 6000 BCE, Kanawha County), through the Late Prehistoric, at Snidow (ca. 1250 CE, Mercer County) and Clover (ca. 1580 CE, Cabell County), to the historic period, at the Madie Carroll House in Guyandotte (ca. 1850 CE, Cabell County). In addition to gaining practical knowledge of archaeological field techniques, students learn about our state’s long past, from the earliest Native American nomadic foragers and their journey towards becoming settled farmers, to the first Euro-American and African-American colonists who established the communities we live in today.
No previous experience is required to enroll in ANT 323, only an interest of things past, a curiosity of how we got to where we are today, and a taste for detective work. And yes, getting very dirty in the process. It is hard work, often tedious, but always rewarding.
For more information, contact Dr. Nicholas Freidin, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Smith Hall Room 428/424 or call (304) 696-2794. The Marshall University Archaeological Field School as been written up. Check out the MU-AFS in the Parthenon.
