- Master
of Arts Degree
The objective of the M.A. degree in Anthropology is to prepare students for
professional level employment in industry and government, teaching positions
in community colleges, or advanced study towards the PhD. degree. The program
has four options: General Anthropology, Archaeology, Sociocultural Anthropology,
and Forensic Anthropology. The General Anthropology option prepares students
in the traditional areas of anthropology: culture theory, ethnography, archaeology,
linguistics, and physical anthropology. The Archaeology option prepares students
for careers in archaeology or cultural resource management. The Forensic Anthropology
option prepares students for careers in forensic anthropology or other aspects
of law enforcement. The Sociocultural option prepares students for careers
in cultural anthropology or ethnography.
Admission to the Program
With the exception of the Forensic Anthropology option, applicants must have
a baccalaureate in anthropology and a 2.75 grade point average in the last
90-quarter units attempted or a B (3.0) grade point average in anthropology
courses. Those whose undergraduate major was not anthropology must complete
20-32 units in anthropology, including ANTH 497, with a B average. Students'
actual number of units required is determined by advisement during their first
quarter of postbaccalaureate study.
Forensic Anthropology applicants must have a baccalaureate in Anthropology
and a 3.0 grade point average in the last 90-quarter units attempted, and
a 3.0 grade point average in anthropology courses. Those whose undergraduate
major was not anthropology must complete 20-32 units in anthropology with
a b average. Students' actual number of units required is determined by advisement
during their first quarter of postbaccalaureate study.
Students are accepted into the Anthropology program for the fall, winter
and spring quarters. Students must notify the department of their intent to
seek admission to the Archaeology, Forensic, or Sociocultural option at the
time of their application.
The Forensic Anthropology option requires that students apply to both, the
University and to the Department of Anthropology. Students must have minimum
GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 Quarter College units taken and submit a separate
application form (available from the department) to the Department of Anthropology
that includes, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and
unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A telephone
or personal interview is also required. Complete applications must be submitted
to the Department of Anthropology by April 10 for fall admission, by August
10 for winter admission and by November 10 for spring admission. Applicants
will be notified within two months following he appropriate deadline as to
whether or not they are accepted. Because Forensic Anthropology courses are
offered in sequence beginning with the fall quarter, students are strongly
encouraged to apply for fall admission.
- Requirements for the Degree (45-51 units)
A total of 45 - 51 units is required, with at least 23-26 units in 500-level
courses, as specified by each option. All students must have a reading or
speaking knowledge of a relevant research language or demonstrate proficiency
in linguistic analysis or in statistics. Students must satisfy this requirement
before they may attempt the comprehensive examination or submit a thesis proposal.
Language proficiency is demonstrated by passing a foreign language reading
examination administered by the department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
Statistics proficiency is demonstrated by a B or higher grade in POLS 580,
PSY 414, SOC 410, or CRIM 512. Students must complete either the comprehensive
examination or a thesis prior to graduation, as required under the individual
options presented below. Students also must fulfill all university requirements
including the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR).
General Anthropology Option (45 units)
A total of 45 units are required, with at least 23 in 500-level courses.
Required Courses (16 units)
ANTH 510AB Seminar: Anthropological Theory and Analysis (4, 4)
ANTH 520 Seminar: Archaeology (4)
ANTH 560 Seminar: Physical Anthropology (4)
- Grade B or better required in these courses for continuance in program
Electives
(23-29 units)
Select from 400 and 500-level anthropology courses, including at least two
different 500-level courses. A maximum of 8 units in a related field may be
included with prior adviser consent. Total must include 6 units of ANTH 599
along with 23 units of electives if thesis option is selected. Total must
include 29 units of electives if comprehensive exam option is selected.
Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)
ANTH 596 Comprehensive Examination (0) or
ANTH 599 Thesis (6)
Students who select the comprehensive examination (ANTH 596) should expect
to take it no earlier than the quarter they complete all course work on their
program and must comply with college and department requirements. Examinations
are required in culture theory and two of the following areas: archaeology,
ethnography, linguistics, physical anthropology. Students who propose to write
a thesis must have completed 24 units in their Master of Arts degree program
as well as ANTH 481 and ANTH 510AB. Students who are approved to write a thesis
must have successive enrollments in ANTH 599 for a total of 6 units.
Archaeology Option (50 units)
A total of 50 units are required, with at least 25 in 500-level courses.
Required courses (32 units)
ANTH 424 Archaeological Field Research Techniques (6)
ANTH 427 Cultural Resource Management (4)
ANTH 510AB Seminar: Anthropological Theory and Analysis (4,4)
ANTH 520 Seminar: Archaeology (4)
ANTH 560 Seminar: Physical Anthropology (4)
ANTH 485 Archaeological Analysis (6)
Electives (12 -18 units)
Select from 400 and 500-level Anthropology courses including at least 3 500-level
courses.
A maximum of 8 units in a related field may be included with prior advisor
consent. Total must include 6 units of ANTH 599 along with 12 units of electives
if thesis option is selected. Total must include 18 units of electives if
comprehensive exam option is selected.
Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)
ANTH 596 Comprehensive Examination (0) or
ANTH 599 Thesis (6)
Students who select the comprehensive examination (ANTH 596) should expect
to take it no earlier than the quarter they complete all course work on their
program and must comply with college and department requirements. Examinations
are required in culture theory and two of the following areas: archaeology,
ethnography, linguistics, physical anthropology. Students who propose to write
a thesis must have completed 24 units in their Master of Arts degree program
as well as ANTH 481 and ANTH 510AB. Students who are approved to write a thesis
must have successive enrollments in ANTH 599 for a total of 6 units.
Forensic Anthropology Option (49 units minimum)
A minimum of 49 units is required, with at least 25 in 500-level courses.
Required courses (35-38 units)
ANTH 424 Archaeological Research Techniques (6)
ANTH 459 Human Osteology (4)
ANTH 463 Forensic Anthropology (4)
ANTH 510A Seminar: Anthropological Theory and Analysis (4)
ANTH 520 Seminar: Archaeology (4)
ANTH 560 Seminar: Physical Anthropology (4)
ANTH 563 Advanced Forensic Anthropology (4)
ANTH 598 Graduate Directed Study (1-4)
CRIM 557 Forensic Pathology (4)
Electives (8 units)
CRIM 409 Forensic Science (4)
CRIM 411 Interpretation of Evidence in the Courtroom (4)
CRIM 412 Crime Scene Management (4)
CRIM 512 Quantitative Applications (4)
Thesis (6)
Students must have completed 24 units in their Master of Arts degree program
and ANTH 510A before submitting a thesis proposal. Students who are approved
to write a thesis must have successive enrollments in ANTH 599 for a total
of 6 units.
Sociocultural Anthropology Option (51 units)
A total of 51 units is required, with at least 26 in 500-level courses.
Required courses (33 units)
ANTH 481 Academic Writing and Publishing (4)
ANTH 501 Seminar: Ethnography (4)
ANTH 510AB Seminar: Anthropological Theory and Analysis (4, 4)
ANTH 520 Seminar: Archaeology (4)
ANTH 560 Seminar: Physical, Anthropology (4)
ANTH 580 Methods in Ethnography (5)
ANTH 594 Seminar: Problems in Cultural, Anthropology (4)
Electives (12-18 units)
No more than eight (8) units may be taken from the following:
ANTH 404 Peoples of South America (4)
ANTH 406 Indians of North America (4)
ANTH 407 Indians of California (4)
ANTH 410 Peoples of the Pacific (4)
ANTH 413 Peoples of Africa (4)
ANTH 414 Peoples of Asia (4)
ANTH 415 Asian American Communities in Southern California (4)
- The remainder of electives may be taken from the following:
ANTH 433 Urban Anthropology (4)
ANTH 434 Globalization and Cultural Change (4)
ANTH 437 Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
ANTH 472 Linguistic Analysis (4)
ANTH 530 Seminar: Social Organization (4)
ANTH 570 Seminar: Language and Culture (4)
A maximum of eight (8) units in a related field maybe included with prior
advisor consent. Total must include 6 units of ANTH 599 along with 12 units
of electives if thesis option is selected. Total must include 18 units of
electives if comprehensive exam option is selected.
Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)
ANTH 596 Comprehensive Examination (0) or
ANTH 599 Thesis (6)
Students who select the comprehensive examination (ANTH 596) should expect
to take it no earlier than the quarter they complete all course work on their
program and must comply with college and department requirements. Examinations
are required in culture theory and two of the following areas: archaeology,
ethnography, linguistics, physical anthropology. Students who propose to write
a thesis must have completed 24 units in their Master of Arts degree program
as well as ANTH 481 and ANTH 510AB. Students who are approved to write a thesis
must have successive enrollments in ANTH 599 for a total of 6 units
