Anthropology Programs

At the undergraduate level, the CSULB Department of Anthropology offers the following academic programs:

Major in Anthropology leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree

Minor in Anthropology
Concentration in Anthropology

Note that the Major in Anthropology allows students to select from a wide selection of courses but also design a course selection that allows them to specialize in a particular area of anthropology such as, Physical Anthropology, Lingistics, and Sociocultural Anthropology.  It is important to see the undergraduate advisor to review course choices.

Major in Anthropology
The anthropology major at CSULB provides students with a solid foundation in all fields of Anthropology including Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology, and Archaelogy. In addition, students have opportunities to specialize in areas of interest and emphasis in particular topical and geographical areas.

Our curriculum ensures that students who graduate with a baccalaureate degree in anthropology have a broad, multidisciplinary, cross-cultural perspective of human diversity. They are well prepared to enter graduate programs or enter the paid work force. As a result of the broad scope of this curriculum, graduates holding a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology have a number desirable, marketable skills, including: (1) hands-on experience with computers, statistics and use of archival materials; (2) the ability to think critically and assess arguments, writing and oral communication skills; and (3) the ability to design and implement research projects.

The Anthropology major provides a strong liberal arts background that can contribute to success in many fields, such as teaching, public service, or business. Anthropology majors intending to pursue careers in these fields are urged to consider minoring in fields which provide appropriate entry-level skills, such as the Minor in Business Economics or in Public Policy. The major also prepares students for advanced studies in Anthropology.

Degree Requirements

The Anthropology major consists of 3 main components: (1) lower division requirements; (2) upper division requirements, and (3) upper division electives.

(1) Lower Division Requirements

The five (5) courses listed below provide breadth in the four traditional areas of anthropology, and a solid statistical foundation. The 100-level classes are offered each semester. The course in quantitative analysis is offered each Fall.

ANTH 110 Introduction to Physical Anthropology [3 units]
ANTH 120 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology [3 units]
ANTH 140 Introduction to Archaeology [3 units]
ANTH 170 Introduction of Linguistics [3 units]
ANTH 202 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology [4 units]

(2) Upper Division Requirements

Students are required to take a minimum of 33 units of upper division courses in a program approved by the Undergraduate Major Advisor. The 300 level courses are designed as survey courses, while the 400 level courses focus more intensely on specific topics.

A. Core Courses

ANTH 313 World Prehistory
ANTH 314 Peoples of the World: Ethnography
ANTH 401 Foundations of Anthropology

ANTH 435 Human Evolution

ANTH 413 Language and Culture or ANTH 475 Language and Gender

ANTH 475 Language and Gender in Cross- Cultural Perspective

In addittion to the Core of (5) Upper Division courses listed above, and in consultation with the Undergraduate Advisor, an additional 18 units will be selected from the courses listed below.

B. Archaeology: ANTH 202, 321, 322, 323, 345, 347, 349, 445, 450, 451, 453, 455, 456, 464, 471, 472, 473, 481, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489

C. Biological Anthropology: One of the following courses: ANTH 315, 317, 318, 319, 363, 402, 434, 435, 436, 480A, 480B.

D. Cultural Anthropology: ANTH 305I, 307I, 311I, 321, 322, 323, 324, 329, 332, 333, 335, 336, 345, 351, 353, 412I, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 427, 428, 429, 436, 440, 454, 458, 478, 479.

E. Linguistic Anthropology: ANTH 413, 421, 475

F. Lower Divsion Courses in Anthropology: ANTH 110, 120, 140, 170, 202

Students may apply a maximum of 2 Anthropology Capstone courses to the major. Students may apply Anthropology Human Diversity classes to the major.

Students may take a total of 6 units of ANTH 490 and, with approval of the undergraduate advisor and sponsoring faculty members, up to 6 units of ANTH 496, 498, or 499.

Focus on Archaeological Science

Students who are interested in Archaeology as a field of study should contact the department Undergraduate or Graduate advisor, as well as Archaelogy faculty.

Minor in Anthropology
The undergraduate minor in Anthropology is recommended for students preparing for careers which will require practical knowledge of different cultural backgrounds. These include teaching, international business and engineering, foreign service, and public and social services within our own multicultural society.

A minimum of 21 units in a program approved by the major advisor, as follows:

Lower Division Required: ANTH 120, 140, 170 and 110.

Upper Division Electives: 9 units of anthropology courses selected in consultation with the major advisor to meet the specific needs of the student.

Concentration in Anthropology
The Track II option for students majoring in Liberal Studies is a Concentration in Anthropology. Students must take upper and lower division anthropology classes selected in consultation with the Anthropology advisor.