Please see the OU Course Catalog for a complete list of Anthropology courses. The list of courses offered during the current and upcoming semester can be found here. The official checksheet for the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology can be found here.
Our Department has a very flexible Bachelor of Arts degree program that exposes students to the breadth of the field of anthropology while also giving space for students to specialize in areas and topics of their choosing. Anthropology has four major subfields and the anthropology major must take introductory courses into each of the four subfields and electives spanning at least three.
Also, it is possible to count of to 3 hours of Independent Study, Internship, Thesis, Honors Research, or Mentored Research as electives and to count of to 3 hours of non-Anthropology courses listed here as an elective.
In addition, anthropology majors are strongly encouraged to take relevant support work in related fields. For example, a student whose primary interest is in archaeology benefit from coursework in geography, geology, and history, while students interested in biological anthropology benefit from coursework in zoology and anatomy. Students interested in socio-cultural anthropology benefit from related courses in history, sociology, and other behavioral sciences. These courses may also satisfy general education requirements, and in fact may count towards a minor in any of these other departments.
Anthropology electives are chosen based on the student's interests, abilities, and honor's program participation. 120 semester hours are required for the bachelor of arts degree, and a student can have any number of major hours. Choosing the right courses and combination of courses is very important, and the student should consult with the Anthropology Department's advisors as well as other faculty members. Ideally, the student should formulate a tentative program of coursework during his/her sophomore year (or earlier) in consultation with the advisors and then make adjustments as necessary in following semesters.
Directed readings or research courses may be taken in order to pursue in-depth study of a single topic, either in the form of original research or research based on library resources. Development of research skills can be very helpful for students interested in graduate study. Independent study and internships in anthropology must be coordinated with a faculty member in the subfield of focus. These courses are Independent Study 4990, Honors Reading 3960, and Honors Research 3980. Honors courses require admission to the Honors Program. An appointment with Dr. Duwe is necessary for instruction on how to enter the Honors program. Visit the Honors Program website for more details.
A minor in Anthropology requires 15 hours of courses. There are two pathways to the minor, both of which are documented on the official checksheet found here. The first involves taking ANTH 1113 "General Anthropology" plus 12 additional hours of Anthropology, of which at least 9 hours must be from 3000- or 4000-level coursework. The second pathway involves taking 15 hours of anthropology coursework of which at least 9 hours is 3000- or 4000-level and the electives span at least three subfields as listed here. Declare a minor in Anthropology with the College of Arts and Sciences, Ellison Hall 124.
An early European perspective on health: the four humors in relation to elements and the zodiac. From "Quinta Essentia” by Leonhart Thurneisser zum Thurn (gen. Leonhard Thurneysser), 1574. Image source.
Health is shaped by biology, environment, and behavior. Human evolutionary history impacts infectious and other disease risk. Culture also plays a role in disease risk, and shapes etiologic, diagnostic, and treatment frameworks used by both patients and health care personnel. Culturally appropriate interventions are a cornerstone to addressing health disparities. There is increasing evidence for the role of the microbiome in health, and for the role of behavioral factors in shaping microbiome.
Anthropology is uniquely situated to examine health from a holistic perspective that takes into account biological and cultural diversity. The Department of Anthropology offers a Bachelor of Science option in Human Health and Biology. The objectives of this program are to foster an awareness of human biological and cultural diversity, to promote an understanding of biocultural and evolutionary perspectives on health and disease, and to enable students to obtain the foundation in chemistry, biology, and mathematics needed for medical school, for graduate study in health-related fields, and for a range of entry-level health professions. In addition to connecting students with interests in the life sciences to biological and medical anthropology, the program requires additional coursework in other areas of anthropology (cultural anthropology; archaeology; linguistic anthropology) to provide a deeper understanding of the human condition.
The 36 hours of anthropology required for the degree must include Anth 1113 "General Anthropology," Anth 3203 "Introduction to Biological Anthropology," and Anth 4113 "Anthropology Capstone." Majors must take 29 hours of supporting courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Math or Statistics. The also must take 21 hours of Anthropology electives. The following rules apply to the choice of Anthropology electives:
Also, it is possible to count of to 3 hours of Independent Study, Internship, Thesis, Honors Research, or Mentored Research as electives. Up to 3 hours of electives can be filled by non-Anthropology courses. The allowable courses are listed here.
In addition, anthropology majors are strongly encouraged to take relevant support work in related fields. For example, students interested in biological or medical anthropology benefit from coursework in zoology, anatomy, history, sociology, and other behavioral sciences. These courses may also satisfy general education requirements, and in fact may count towards a minor in any of these other departments.
Anthropology electives are chosen based on the student's interests, abilities, and Honors program participation. 120 semester hours are required for the bachelor of arts degree, and a student can have any number of major hours. Choosing the right courses and combination of courses is very important, and the student should consult with the Anthropology Department's advisors as well as other faculty members. Ideally, the student should formulate a tentative program of coursework during his/her sophomore year (or earlier) in consultation with the advisors and then make adjustments as necessary in following semesters.
Directed readings or research courses may be taken in order to pursue in-depth study of a single topic, either in the form of original research or research based on library resources. Development of research skills can be very helpful for students interested in graduate study. Independent study and internships in anthropology must be coordinated with a faculty member in the subfield of focus. These courses are Independent Study 4990, Honors Reading 3960, and Honors Research 3980. Honors courses require admission to the Honors Program. An appointment with Dr. Duwe is necessary for instruction on how to enter the Honors program. Visit the Honors Program website for more details.
B513 - Anthropology, Human Health and Biology, B.S. Degree Requirements
Please see the OU Course Catalog for a complete list of Anthropology courses. The list of courses offered during the current and upcoming semester can be found here. The official checksheet for the Bachelor of Science in Anthropology: Human Health and Biology can be found here.
The accelerated Anthropology B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology is designed for academically successful undergraduate anthropology majors with an interest in sociocultural anthropology. The combined B.A. + M.A. degrees are designed to be finished in five years, with undergraduate coursework completed at the end of year three of the program. Students accepted into the program begin taking graduate-level coursework during their senior year. Requirements for the B.A. are the same as those of the standard B.A. in Anthropology, with 13 “shared” hours counting towards both the B.A. and M.A. degree requirements. The M.A. degree includes a thesis, giving students an opportunity to conduct original in-depth research.
Why earn an Accelerated B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology?
• Complete both your B.A. + M.A. in five years
• Be more competitive for graduate school admissions
• Be better prepared for non-profit, public sector, or foreign service work
• Integrate international experience
Students interested in the program should discuss their eligibility and interest with the Undergraduate Advisor or Graduate Liaison during the fall of their junior year.
Applications are due annually on February 1
A025/F025 Degree Requirements B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology
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