Anthropology Requirements

Anthropology pursues empirically grounded, critical analysis in order to understand cultural systems, illuminate social worlds, and lovingly question how these shape and are shaped by lived experience. As such, anthropology is a critique for the purpose of building knowledge, enacting kindness, pursuing mutuality, stretching our imaginations, and creating a better future. The program at Colby offers an introduction to cultural anthropology’s field methods, scope, and critical comparative analysis. Students receive training in anthropological theory and methodology and in the discipline’s engagement in solving social problems. The department offers a major and a minor in anthropology.

Chair, Associate Professor Winifred Tate
Professors Catherine Besteman and Mary Beth Mills; Associate Professors Chandra Bhimull, Britt Halvorson, and Winifred Tate; Assistant Professor Farah Quresh; Lecturer Suzanne Menair

Ten courses, including: Anthropology 112, 313, 333, and one advanced seminar at the 400 level taken in the second semester of the senior year; and six elective courses, including at least two at the 300 or 400 level. In addition to Anthropology 112, a maximum of one other anthropology course taught at the 100 level may be counted toward the major.

The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses offered toward the major. No courses for the major may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Seniors majoring in anthropology may apply for the honors program during the first week of the fall semester. In addition to receiving department approval, the student must have a 3.25 overall grade point average and a 3.60 grade point average in the major. The program involves independent research conducted in Anthropology 483, 484. Honors normally will be taken for six to eight credits over two semesters, and the final product will be a thesis of 50 to 70 pages of superior quality.

Six courses, including Anthropology 112, and five additional courses in anthropology, two of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. In addition to Anthropology 112, a maximum of one other anthropology course taught at the 100 level may be counted toward the minor.

The point scale for retention of the minor applies to all courses offered toward the minor. No courses for the minor may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Attention is called to the major in classical civilization-anthropology (requirements are listed in the “Classics” section of the catalogue).

Note: Anthropology 112 fulfills both the social sciences area (S) and the diversity (I) requirements. Subsequent courses, requiring 112 as prerequisite, do not carry those designations.