2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology Concentration, B.S.


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Anthropology is a holistic science dedicated to the study of human cultural and biological diversity and evolution. Anthropology integrates fields of study that traditionally span multiple disciplines in the natural and social sciences, arts, and professional studies, blurring the lines between these divisions. Anthropologists are in a unique position to make critical scientific interventions in part because the discipline has been engaged in ongoing dialogue on the philosophy of science itself and the conditions that shape knowledge production. Anthropology at Cal Poly Humboldt is centered on critically rethinking and reshaping scientific paradigms, epistemologies, and ethics.

At Cal Poly Humboldt, students receive a holistic education in all four of anthropology’s subdisciplines while focusing on a concentration area. The subdiscipline of archaeology focuses on the study of the past via material remains of human behavior - it includes key areas such as cultural resource management and historic preservation. Biological anthropology encompasses the study of human biocultural evolution and diversity - our program focuses on applied areas such as evolutionary health, forensics, bioarchaeology, and primate ecology and conservation. Sociocultural anthropology focuses on the study of culture across place and time and is vital to real-world cultural and environmental issues. The subdiscipline of linguistic anthropology focuses on the study of language practices in cultural context and also includes language revitalization and preservation. 

Hands-on educational and research opportunities in anthropology are enhanced by Humboldt’s excellent facilities and resources, including the ethnographic research lab, geospatial archeology research center, bioarchaeology lab, isotope lab, 3D virtual lab, the Cultural Resources Facility, local archaeological sites, and our simulated archaeological site. Our students also engage in internships and independent research in partnership with local museums, cultural heritage offices, nonprofits, clinics, shelters, community action groups, advocacy organizations, and the list goes on…

In addition to participating in local and international anthropological field experiences, many of our students take advantage of Humboldt’s exchange programs, which enable students to travel the world and make hands-on, international experience an integral part of their education. 

Anthropology students strive to understand the perspectives of people in various places, settings, and times, and in doing so they develop useful and marketable life skills that are broadly applicable to multiple career trajectories. Humboldt’s program provides a strong foundation for graduate study.    

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (56 Units)


The Anthropology major with a concentration in Sociocultural Anthropology requires 31 units of core courses and 25 units of concentration specific courses. Review your degree plan with your advisor each semester, and ask how to best apply international study and field school work toward the requirements of your major. Students must earn a grade of D+ or better in all major courses and achieve a major GPA of 2.0 (C average) or higher.



  

Sociocultural Anthropology Concentration (25 Units)


The following coursework is specific to the sociocultural anthropology concentration.

Sociocultural Anthropology Electives (9 Units)


Complete 9 units from the following list or an advisor approved elective (if both ANTH 340  and ANTH 341  are taken (see Linguistic Anthropology Breadth below) one course may be counted toward the 9 units.)

Outside Electives (6 Units)


Complete 6 units from the following list or advisor approved electives, such as other relevant courses or field programs. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their interests with faculty and propose alternate courses that fit their interests and goals.

Breadth Electives (10 Units)


Linguistic Anthropology


Complete one course (4 units). If both courses are taken, one course will count toward the linguistic anthropology breadth requirement and the other course may count as a sociocultural anthropology elective.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain how the diversity of cultural values reflected in different patterns of social and political organization and systems of communication (symbolic and linguistic)
  2. Apply the scientific method in the various sub-fields of the discipline (cultural, biological, archaeology, linguistics, and applied)
  3. Explain the complex and interrelated processes of change (biological and cultural evolution, diffusion, colonialism, globalization) both within cultures and across cultural boundaries
  4. Analyze the relevance of anthropology to present-day policy and social issues such as human rights, health, historical preservation, conservation, economic development, language use, and cultural practices.
  5. Demonstrate skills (critical thinking, communication, information literacy and research and technical skills) needed to apply anthropology in practical and professional settings.

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