Requirements
Anthropology Major
The major in anthropology consists of ten courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Core Courses: | ||
| ANTH 1101 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 1 |
| ANTH 1103 | Introduction to World Prehistory | 1 |
| ANTH 2010 | Ethnographic Research | 1 |
| ANTH 2030 | History of Anthropological Theory | 1 |
| Select six electives a,b | 6 | |
| a | One elective must be an advanced course (3000-3999). |
| b | Only three 1000-level courses (1000-1999) may be counted toward the major. |
- Eight of the ten courses required for the major must be Bowdoin anthropology courses.
- Up to two of the six elective courses, with departmental approval, may be taken from among off-campus study courses, Bowdoin sociology courses, and/or—with approval by the department chair—other Bowdoin courses in related fields that contribute to the student's specific interests.
Anthropology Minor
The minor in anthropology consists of five courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANTH 1101 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 1 |
| or ANTH 1103 | Introduction to World Prehistory | |
| Select four elective courses d | 4 | |
| d | Three courses must be at the intermediate (2000–2969) or advanced level (3000–3999). |
- One of the five courses, with department approval, may be from off-campus study.
- Only two 1000-level courses (1000–1999) may be counted toward the minor.
Additional Information and Department Policies
- In order for a course to fulfill major or minor requirements, a grade of C- or above must be earned in that course.
- Courses that count toward the major or minor must be taken for regular letter grades (not Credit/D/Fail).
- First-year seminars count toward the major or minor.
Independent Study
For the anthropology major program, two semesters of independent study may be counted. For the anthropology minor program, one semester of independent study may be counted.
Departmental Honors
Students seeking to graduate with honors in anthropology must have distinguished themselves in the major program. Students must petition the department to pursue honors by submitting a written proposal for scholarly research. Students contemplating honors candidacy should have established records of A and B grades in anthropology courses. Students must prepare an honors project, which ordinarily is a written paper emanating from two semesters of advanced independent study work. A total of two semesters of independent study may be counted toward the major requirements in anthropology. Determination of honors is based on grades attained in major courses, an honors project which is approved by the department, and demonstration of the ability to creatively synthesize theoretical, methodological, and substantive materials and to work independently.
Off-Campus Study
Study away may contribute substantially to a major in anthropology. Students are advised to plan study away for their junior year. Students are encouraged to complete ANTH 2010 Ethnographic Research—which focuses on research design, methods, and ethics—before studying away. Students must obtain provisional approval for their study away courses in writing by department faculty before they leave, and then, to receive credit toward their major or minor, students must seek final approval from their advisor upon their return to Bowdoin. With departmental approval, students may count up to two off-campus study courses toward their major requirements and up to one off-campus study course toward their minor requirements.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
For information on credit for International Baccalaureate tests, please see the department. No credit is given for Advanced Placement.
This is an excerpt from the official Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook. View the Catalogue