Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of people in their cultural context and the examination of all aspects of patterned social behavior. The discipline is worldwide in scope and encompasses all aspects of human biological and social life from earliest times to the present. It is a broad, holistic field that seeks to understand human adaptation to natural and social environments.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Website: web.anthro.ufl.edu/undergrad_major.shtml
Overview
Anthropology includes four subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology and linguistics. Undergraduates can concentrate their studies in one of these four subfields; however, the bachelor's degree granted is in anthropology rather than in any one subfield.
An undergraduate major in anthropology provides students with a broad-based liberal arts education and prepares students to work in an increasingly complex world. Anthropology majors learn about different groups of people, their prehistory and their biological and cultural diversity through disciplines that combine science and the humanities. Many undergraduate anthropology majors go on to graduate school in the social sciences, while others use anthropology to prepare themselves for professional careers in other disciplines. In a world of increasing globalization and need for effective international relations, anthropology is a highly relevant liberal arts and sciences major for students interested in pursuing many careers including those in education, government, health, business and law.
Coursework for the Major
An undergraduate major must have a minimum of 34 semester hours in anthropology. All coursework counted toward the major must have a grade of C or better. Majors must also take a minimum of 18 hours of anthropology coursework at UF.
Required Coursework
- ANT 2000 (Majors are encouraged to take ANT 2000 in their first year.)
- ANT 2410
- ANT 2140
- ANT 3514C
- ANT 3620
- Of the remaining 18 hours, 15 must be 3000 level and above.
- In addition to the 34 hours of anthropology coursework, majors are also required to earn a grade of C or better in STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1.
There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Students in the honors program may take honors sections of any offered anthropology class. Any student at the sophomore level and above with the appropriate prerequisites or permission of the instructor may enroll in graduate-level courses.
Honors
Students who earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA while classified as 3LS or 4LS are eligible to graduate with honors (cum laude), and have the potential option to graduate with high (magna cum laude) or highest honors (summa cum laude) by submitting a completed honors thesis to the department. Students who pursue the honors thesis option are required to work with a faculty mentor at least one year prior to graduation and must enroll in ANT 4914 (3 credits) in their final semester.
Overseas Studies
Students concentrating in either cultural anthropology or archaeology are also encouraged to complete either an ethnographic study abroad program or an archaeological field school before their senior year.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
The department encourages students to choose a minor or an interdisciplinary certificate option in Latin American studies, African studies, Asian studies, women's studies, linguistics, Jewish studies or environmental studies. Relevant courses in anthropology may be used to fulfill some requirements. Students can combine anthropology courses with courses in other fields for a self-designed interdisciplinary major. A minor (15 credits) in anthropology is also available.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Complete 1 anthropology course
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional anthropology course or STA 2023
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional anthropology course
- 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| ANT 2410 Cultural Anthropology (GE-S, D) or ANT 2000 General Anthropology (GE-S) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 2-0 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15-14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| ANT 2140 Introduction to World Archaeology or ANT 2000 General Anthropology (GE-S) or ANT 2410 Cultural Anthropology (GE-S, D) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE -H) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| ANT 3514C Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4) (GE-B) or ANT 2140 Introduction to World Archaeology (3) or ANT 2410 Cultural Anthropology (3) (GE-S, D) | 4-3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 16-15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| ANT 2410 Cultural Anthropology (3) (GE-S, D) or ANT 2140 Introduction to World Archaeology (3) or ANT 3514C Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4) (GE-B) | 3-4 |
| ANT 3620 Language and Culture (GE-S, N) | 3 |
| Electives | 6-3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15-13 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Anthropology courses (two, at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Composition (ENC 3254 or ANT 3860 writing course recommended; GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Anthropology courses (two, at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Anthropology course (1000-4000 level) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Anthropology course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6-7 |
| Total | 15-16 |