Anthropology

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Joan Neff, Chair
Associate Professors Hass, Neff, Nourse, Obi, Wharton
Assistant Professors French, O'Brien, Ransom
Professionals from the field also are employed as adjunct faculty.

The major in anthropology stresses cultural anthropology, the study of contemporary and historically recent human societies around the world. Specifically, cultural anthropology focuses on the ways in which various individuals and groups (societies) construct their ideas (culture) about the world and the ways in which these ideas influence how various people behave. Courses in anthropology compare diverse cultures to ascertain their similarities as well as their differences. Some courses in cultural anthropology study particular regions of the world and the way in which those peoples construct their realities and find meaning in their lives. Other courses in cultural anthropology select various dimensions of human life - family, gender, religion, politics, art, etc., and examine how one of these subjects relates to all the other dimensions in one particular culture or across cultures in general.

The Anthropology Major

Note: The grade point average of the anthropology coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7).

ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 211 Introduction to Ethnographic Field Methods

ANTH 290 Theoretical Foundations of Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 400 Senior Thesis Proposal

ANTH 401 Capstone Seminar

At least two regional courses from List A

At least two topical courses from List B

Two electives from either List A or List B

Participation in an approved study abroad experience of at least six weeks in duration

• Upper-level courses are taught on a rotating basis.

• Students must achieve a grade of C or better in both ANTH 211 and ANTH 290 in order to take 400-level courses in the department and to receive credit toward the major for courses taken outside the department.

• One regional or one topical course may be taken in a department outside of sociology and anthropology with departmental approval.

• Two regional and/or topical courses may be taken at study abroad institutions with departmental approval.

• No more than three study abroad courses may count toward the major requirements.

• Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major/minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the major/minor unless otherwise noted.

• A maximum of three courses may be taken in a department outside of the University of Richmond's Department of Sociology and Anthropology with departmental approval. These courses may be taken within another department at the University of Richmond, or at another accredited institution or through an approved study abroad program.

The Anthropology Minor

Note: The grade point average of the anthropology coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7). A maximum of three courses may be taken in a department outside of the University of Richmond's Department of Sociology and Anthropology with departmental approval. These courses may be taken within another department at the University of Richmond, or at another accredited institution or through an approved study abroad program.

ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Four additional units in anthropology

ANTH 279 Selected Topics (as approved by department)

ANTH 307 Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

ANTH 308 Latin America: An Ethnographic Perspective

ANTH 338 Africa: Cultural Change in a Post-Colonial Setting

ANTH 339 Pacific Island Cultures and Ethnographies

ANTH 340 Southeast Asia: Cultural Representations

ANTH 379 Selected Topics (as approved by the department)

SOC 230 Introduction to the Study of Africa

ANTH 238 Anthropology of Human Rights

ANTH 279 Selected Topics (as approved by department)

ANTH 300 Sexuality and Gender Across Cultures

ANTH 304 Ritual, Witchcraft and Divination

ANTH 336 Politics, Power and Ritual

ANTH 379 Selected Topics (as approved by department)

ANTH 388 Individual Internship

ANTH 426-427 Directed Independent Study

ANTH 489 Research Practicum

ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 211 Introduction to Ethnographic Field Methods

ANTH 279 Selected Topics in Anthropology

ANTH 290 Theoretical Foundations of Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 300 Sexuality and Gender Across Cultures

ANTH 304 Ritual, Witchcraft & Divination

ANTH 307 Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

ANTH 308 Latin America: An Ethnographic Perspective

ANTH 328 Anthropology of Human Rights

ANTH 336 Politics, Power and Ritual

ANTH 338 Africa: Cultural Change in a Post-Colonial Setting

ANTH 339 Pacific Island Cultures and Ethnographies

ANTH 340 Southeast Asia: Cultural Representations

ANTH 379 Selected Topics

ANTH 388 Individual Internship

ANTH 400 Senior Thesis Proposal Seminar

ANTH 401 Capstone Seminar

ANTH 426-427 Directed Independent Study

ANTH 489 Research Practicum

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