The mission of the Department of Anthropology and Geography is to:

   1. Offer and maintain instructional programs that provide a comprehensive overview and analyses of people and their cultures, both past and present.

   2. Conduct research in order to advance and expand knowledge of the fields of anthropology and geography.

   3. Participate actively in programs of interdisciplinary research.

The Department of Anthropology and Geography houses a faculty of cultural anthropologists, archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and geographers whose scholarship spans the breadth of the human experience. The program prepares undergraduate students to describe, analyze, and interpret the human condition. An examination of the social, environmental, and evolutionary contexts in which the human species is embedded defines most course work in the discipline. The program is integrative, drawing from geography, biology, the humanities, and other social and natural sciences. Geography figures prominently in our program and provides an important spatial lens through which human groups are examined over time. Four programmatic areas define faculty research and scholarship with which students can engage: humans and the environment, international development and globalization, health and well-being, and professional methods and techniques. In the education of undergraduates, the department values and promotes experiential training, primary research, as well as public engagement and education.

The research endeavors of the anthropology faculty are trans-disciplinary and international. They are interested in diverse topics including but not limited to contemporary culture, ethnicity, linguistics, comparative religion, virtual worlds, subsistence patterns, archaeology, human ecology, human anatomy, human evolution, biogeography, land cover/land use patterns, and the behavior of non-human primates.

Anthropology majors follow a liberal arts curriculum that provides a broad education with an emphasis on learning how to learn. The department has ten research and teaching laboratories and three summer field schools; the Ethnographic Field School, the Archaeology Field School, and the Paleontology Field School.

Undergraduate students can pursue a general anthropology degree focused on an appreciation of human diversity, past and present, from a broad and holistic perspective. Students can also declare a concentration within the program. Declaring a concentration allows for a focused course of study, specializing in the particular subfield of interest. Within each concentration (Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology), specific categories of classes guide students in learning the major theories, methods, and applications related to the modern practice of our discipline. Along with our offerings of world class field schools, course work in archaeological, biological, and ethnographic methods and geographical techniques are encouraged in order to further gain experience and perspective. Upon graduation, students are prepared for a diverse array of jobs or advanced training in graduate school. Students come away with a respect and appreciation for the diversity of human existence.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  1. Employ anthropological theory and qualitative/quantitative research methods to describe and analyze human biological and cultural variation over time and across space.
  2. Describe and evaluate the inter-relationships between environments, health and well-being, and human cultural and biological evolution.
  3. Synthesize anthropological theory, methods, and data to formulate arguments both orally and in written format.
  4. Articulate anthropology to non-specialists and explain anthropological concepts across subfields and/or with other social sciences and humanities disciplines.
  5. Transfer knowledge gained in anthropology program to a career trajectory after graduation.

Potential Occupations

Anthropology, like many majors in the liberal arts, provides students with a broad academic background suitable for a variety of jobs in the public and private sectors. Anthropology majors are trained to think independently and critically, communicate effectively, and function in a multicultural world. Employers appreciate liberal arts majors for their multiple skills and their ability to adapt to a variety of tasks and work environments. Participating in internships and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance students’ practical training and development. Careers for graduates are available in international development, health care, education, business, natural resource management, and government. Graduates who go on for advanced studies can pursue careers in anthropology or attain advanced positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.

Some career opportunities for Anthropology graduates include, but are not limited to: museum curator/researcher, genealogist, international relief representative, salvage archaeologist, collections assistant, resource specialist, classical or historical anthropologist, cultural affairs officer, diplomatic service representative, immigration or foreign service officer, linguist, educational television researcher, forensic osteologist, biographical writer, scientific/technical writer, reporter, ethnographic photographer, anthropological linguist, rural development worker, ethnic groups’ special concerns advocate, intercultural educator, medical anthropologist, grant writer, psychological anthropologist, international development administrator, public relations representative, public opinion pollster, sales/marketing representative, consultant for cross-cultural relations, personnel worker, geographic information systems specialist.

Concentrations

Change of Major

To change your major to Anthropology, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117 or send an email to cla_advising@colostate.edu. More information is available at https://advising.libarts.colostate.edu.

Effective Fall 2024

Freshman
AUCCCredits
ANTH 100Introductory Cultural Anthropology (GT-SS3)3C3
ANTH 101Practicing Anthropology 1
ANTH 120Human Origins and Variation (GT-SC2)3A3
ANTH 121Human Origins and Variation Laboratory (GT-SC1)3A1
ANTH 140Introduction to Archaeology (GT-HI1)3D3
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
Quantitative Reasoning1B3
Electives 13
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
GR 100Introduction to Geography (GT-SS2)3C3
Arts and Humanities3B6
Biological and Physical Sciences13A3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category 3
Electives 12
 Total Credits 30
Junior
 
ANTH 400/GR 400History of Theory-Anthropology and Geography4B3
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in archaeology not taken in another category: 3
Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies  
Study Abroad--England: Hadrian's Wall  
Archaeology of North America  
Geoarchaeology  
Archaeology of Rock Art  
Race/Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean  
Archaeology of the Ancient Nile  
Archaeology of Ancient Roman Food  
Study Abroad--Pompeii in Italy: Life and Death of a Roman City  
Archaeologies of Graffiti  
Colorado Prehistory  
Archaeological Investigation  
Digital Digging--Geophysics in Archaeology  
Andean Archaeology and Ethnohistory4A 
Archaeology of Mesoamerica4A 
Impacts on Ancient Environments4A 
Anthropological Perspectives on Food  
Great Plains Archaeology4A 
Archaeology and the Public4A 
Lithic Technology  
Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management  
Gods, Heroes, Stones--Greek Archaeology  
Field Class in Archaeology  
Anthropological Report Preparation4A 
Anthropology Curation and Exhibition Methods  
Zooarchaeology  
Archaeology of the Ancient Near East  
The Archaeology of Time  
Heritage Resource Management  
Seminar: Archaeology  
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in biological anthropology not taken in another category: 3
Human Diversity (GT-SC2)3A 
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology  
Human Ecology4A 
Quantifying Anthropology  
Primates4A 
Growing Up Primate  
Human Osteology  
Human Evolution4A 
Human Biological Variation4A 
Evolution of Primate Behavior4A 
Evolution of Human Adaptation4A 
Anthropology Perspectives-Evolution, Society  
Bipedal Apes  
Evolutionary Medicine and Human Health  
Zooarchaeology  
Paleontology Field School  
Human Biology4A 
The Neandertals4A 
Human Skeleton Analysis  
Methods of Analysis in Paleoanthropology  
Seminar: Biological Anthropology  
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in cultural anthropology not taken in another category: 3
Anthropology of the Arts  
Soundscapes-Music as Human Practice3C 
Peoples and Cultures of Africa  
Modern Indian Culture and Society  
Modernization and Development  
Southeast Asian Cultures and Societies4A 
Global Mobilities–The African Diaspora  
Anthropology of Human Rights  
Beer, Brewing, and Culture4A 
The Anthropology of Religion4A 
Human Ecology4A 
Anthropology of Sex and Reproduction  
Narrative Traditions and Social Experience4A 
Language and Culture4A 
Art and Culture  
Gender and Anthropology4A 
Medical Anthropology4A 
Applied Medical Anthropology  
Psychological Anthropology Laboratory  
Public Anthropology and Global Challenges  
Indigenous Peoples Today4A 
Development in Indian Country4A 
Gender, Culture, and Health  
Indigenous Environmental Stewardship  
Cultural Psychiatry4A 
Theory in Cultural Anthropology  
Method in Cultural Anthropology  
Ethnographic Field School  
Cultures of Virtual Worlds–Research Methods4A 
Psychological Anthropology4A 
International Development Theory and Practice4A 
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in geography (GR subject code) not taken in another category 3
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category 9
Advanced Writing23
Electives 3
 Total Credits 30
Senior
 
Students must take ANTH 493 concurrently with one of the courses listed in the selection below it:  
ANTH 4932Capstone Seminar4C1
Select one AUCC 4A course from the following not taken in another category:2 3-4
Cultural Anthropology:
  
Southeast Asian Cultures and Societies4A 
Beer, Brewing, and Culture4A 
The Anthropology of Religion4A 
Narrative Traditions and Social Experience4A 
Language and Culture4A 
Gender and Anthropology4A 
Medical Anthropology4A 
Indians of North America4A 
Indigenous Peoples Today4A 
Development in Indian Country4A 
Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World4A 
Cultural Psychiatry4A 
Ethnographic Field Methods4A 
Cultures of Virtual Worlds–Research Methods4A 
Psychological Anthropology4A 
International Development Theory and Practice4A 
Archaeology:
  
Andean Archaeology and Ethnohistory4A 
Archaeology of Mesoamerica4A 
Impacts on Ancient Environments4A 
Great Plains Archaeology4A 
Archaeology and the Public4A 
Anthropological Report Preparation4A 
Biological Anthropology:
  
Human Ecology4A 
Primates4A 
Human Evolution4A 
Human Biological Variation4A 
Evolution of Primate Behavior4A 
Evolution of Human Adaptation4A 
Human Biology4A 
The Neandertals4A 
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category 9
Electives3 16-17
 Total Credits 30
 Program Total Credits: 120
1

ANTH 274 fulfills AUCC 3A. 

2

ANTH 493 must be taken concurrently with one of the AUCC 4A anthropology courses listed with ANTH 493 in the senior year. Using Competencies (AUCC 4A) must be taken concurrently with ANTH 493. Courses approved for AUCC category 4A taken in the sophomore, junior, or senior year and not concurrently with ANTH 493 and not included in the approved list in the program will not count toward completion of the 4A requirement for this major. Students taking Senior Honors Thesis (HONR 499, 3 credits) are also required to register for ANTH 493 (1 credit).

3

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ANTH 100Introductory Cultural Anthropology (GT-SS3)X 3C3
ANTH 101Practicing AnthropologyX  1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
Quantitative ReasoningX 1B3
Electives   5
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ANTH 120Human Origins and Variation (GT-SC2)X 3A3
ANTH 121Human Origins and Variation Laboratory (GT-SC1)X 3A1
ANTH 140Introduction to Archaeology (GT-HI1)X 3D3
Electives   8
AUCC 1B (Quantitative Reasoning) and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
GR 100Introduction to Geography (GT-SS2)  3C3
Arts and Humanities  3B3
Biological and Physical Sciences  3A3
Electives   6
 Total Credits   15
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Arts and Humanities  3B3
Diversity, Equity, and InclusionX 1C3
Anthropology elective (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category   3
Electives   6
 Total Credits   15
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category   3
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in archaeology not taken in another category (See List on Requirements Tab)   3
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in biological anthropology not taken in another category (See List on Requirements Tab)   3
Advanced Writing  23
Elective   3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ANTH 400/GR 400History of Theory-Anthropology and Geography  4B3
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in cultural anthropology not taken in another category (See List on Requirements Tab)   3
Complete a minimum of 3 credits in geography (GR subject code) not taken in another category   3
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category   6
 Total Credits   15
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ANTH 493Capstone Seminar X4C1
AUCC 4A: Select one course not taken elsewhere from the AUCC 4A List on the Requirements Tab X4A3-4
Anthropology electives (ANTH subject code) not taken in another category   9
Electives   1-2
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ElectivesX  15
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   120