C A L I F O R N I A   S T A T E   U N I V E R S I T Y   B A K E R S F I E L D 2003-2005 Catalog

Anthropology

Dorothy Donahoe Hall, AA209

(661)  664-2368

(661)  665-6909 (fax)

email:  mhilton@csub.edu

www.csub.edu./GradStudies/anth.html

Program Coordinator:  Robert M. Yohe, II

Dorothy Donahoe Hall, CC216

(661)  664-3457

email:  ryohe@csub.edu

Faculty:     J. Granskog, B. Hemphill,

                  P. Silverman (Emeritus),

                  M. Q. Sutton, R. Yohe

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Anthropology Program is designed to provide graduate students with a thorough theoretical and methodological grounding in anthropology that is essential for attaining a basic nonjudgmental understanding and appreciation of the diversity of other cultures, both past and present.  Such an understanding is a fundamental component for functioning effectively in our multicultural modern world.

The program is primarily geared toward the working student who plans to continue her/his graduate studies toward the Ph.D. in Anthropology, seeks career advancement in either private or public sectors, (e.g., human resource development, international business, historical preservation, cultural resource management, or work within various community organizations, as well as federal, state, and local governmental agencies), or who seeks to teach at the community college level.  For that reason, the program offers three graduating options or “tracks”: a Thesis Option, a Teaching Option, and a Special Project Option.

The program of study is enhanced by opportunities to work on campus as research assistants in the Center for Archaeological Research and the Southern San Joaquin Valley Historic Resource Information Center, as Teaching Assistants in the Department, and in various community organizations as well as within federal, state, and local government agencies via the Internship programs available.

REQUIREMENTS FOR the MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY

The MA in Anthropology program has common admission and continuation requirements for all graduate students in the program, but different requirements for course work, advancing to candidacy, and graduation, depending on the graduating option chosen by each student.

Requirements for Admission

Admission to the Master of Arts in Anthropology program requires that the following basic criteria be met:

1.   Baccalaureate degree.

2.   GPA of 2.5 overall and 3.0 in the major and 1400 combined score in the three areas on the GRE test, with no less than 450 in any one test area.

3.   A satisfactory TOEFL score (a minimum of 500) for International students.

4.   In lieu of the requirements listed in 2. above, a student may petition the Graduate Program Coordinator for an exception.

Persons seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Anthropology program must:

1.   Apply to the Office of Admissions and Records for admission to the University; this application for general admission at the post-baccalaureate level will be processed by the university.  Applications are available in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, as well as the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

      a.   Admission to graduate study by the University does not constitute acceptance into the Anthropology MA Program.  It does, however,

            permit students to take courses as Unclassified post-baccalaureate students and to begin the process.

      b.   Upon admission to the University, students must immediately notify the Anthropology Graduate Coordinator of their intention to pursue the Anthropology MA degree.  The Graduate Coordinator will familiarize the student with the requirements and timetable of the Anthropology MA program.

2.   Apply to the department for admission to the Master of Arts in Anthropology program.  Applications are available in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.  The following materials must accompany the departmental application:

      a.   Formal letter of intent.

      b.   Three letters of reference.

      c.   Example of writing ability (published paper, conference paper, term paper, etc.)

      d.   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. (A student may petition the Graduate Program Coordinator for an exception.)

Once an application file is complete, the Graduate Program Coordinator, with the advice of the faculty, will consider the application and notify the candidate of his/her admission status.

student CLASSIFICATIONS

There are four classifications for students in the Anthropology MA Program:

Post-Baccalaureate/Unclassified Standing

Students accepted by the university for post-baccalaureate study may take Anthropology courses with approval from the instructor.  These courses may be taken for personal pleasure or as a means of establishing a record in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology that will lead to Classified standing.  Up to ten 400-level or 500-level units taken by the student while in this classification may be credited by the Anthropology Graduate Coordinator to the student upon being admitted to the MA in Anthropology Program.

Conditionally Classified Standing

Students may seek to be Conditionally Classified (a requirement for financial aid) by consulting with the Anthropology Graduate Coordinator and demonstrating a commitment to work toward an MA in Anthropology.  Generally, students found in this classification will have applied for the Anthropology MA Program and will have been admitted to the Program with conditions, such as taking certain courses or examinations.  Upon completion of such conditions, students must petition the Graduate Coordinator to advance to Classified status.

Classified Standing

Students who meet the admissions requirements (above) will be admitted as Classified Graduate Students.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy requires the following:

1.   Classified status.

2.   Completion of 25-quarter units of graduate work applied toward the MA in Anthropology, all of which are at least at the 500-level or above, with a GPA of 3.0 or better in graduate course work at CSUB.

3.   A Thesis Proposal approved by the Thesis Committee and filed with the Department; or a Project Proposal approved by the student’s committee and filed with the Department; or an approved proposal for the Teaching Track Option.

Graduate Advisor

It is the student’s responsibility, in consultation with the appropriate faculty members, to choose a graduate advisor, choose an MA track or fields of study, and organize a thesis or examination committee leading to Advancement to Candidacy.

Academic Advising

Until an advisor is selected, the Graduate Program Coordinator will serve as interim advisor.  Upon admission, however, the student should select an advisor as soon as possible.  Failure to do this may result in the Graduate Program Coordinator assigning the student an advisor.

Transfer of Credit

A student may transfer up to 13-quarter units of credit from another school.  A student may apply, with the approval of his/her committee, up to 10-quarter units of credit taken at CSUB while an Unclassified Graduate Student.

Continuation

Continuation in the program is dependent upon the following:

1.   The maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all graduate work at CSUB.

2.   Achieving no grade less than a “C” (2.0) in any course applied to the MA in Anthropology, and no more than one course with a grade of “C” (2.0) will be accepted toward the MA in Anthropology.

3.   Continuous enrollment (being registered for credit-bearing study for three out of four consecutive academic quarters).  Students who have not completed all requirements for the thesis must register every quarter.

4.   Students failing to meet these stipulations may be dropped from the program.  To re-enter, a student would have to reapply to the program.

5.   Prior to completion of 20 units, a student must complete the following:

      a.   Select an advisor, form a committee (of at least three faculty members), and file the completed and approved “Declaration of Committee” form with the Department.

      b.   File an approved “Requirements and Plan of Study” with the Department.

Graduation

Only Classified students who have met the following requirements are eligible for graduation.

1.   Completion of the Plan of Study.

2.   GPA of 3.0 or better in graduate work at CSUB applied toward the MA in Anthropology, at least a “C” in all courses.  No more than one course with a grade of “C” (2.0) will be accepted toward the MA in Anthropology.

3.   Completion of all culminating experience requirements as stipulated under the Thesis or Non-Thesis options, below.

4.   All requirements for the MA in Anthropology must be completed before the student may participate in graduation ceremonies.

MA Programs in Anthropology

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers three tracks for the MA in Anthropology: the Thesis Option, the Teaching Option, and the Special Project Option.  Five courses are required of all Masters students (BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences; BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis; ANTH 535 Seminar in Biological Anthropology; ANTH 545 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology; and ANTH 575 Seminar in Archaeological Theory) with the remaining units being comprised of course work established in the Plan of Study developed by the student and his/her committee.  Only five independent study units can be applied to the student’s Plan of Study.

Requirements for the MA in Anthropology-Thesis Option: 45 Total Units

Required Course Work: 25 Units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral

Sciences

BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis

ANTH 535 Seminar in Biological Anthropology

ANTH 545 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 575 Seminar in Archaeological Theory

Elective Course Work: 11 Units

These units, 5 of which must be at the 500-level and the remaining at the 400-level or above, will be selected based on the advice and recommendation of the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

Thesis Experience (ANTH 695): 9 Units

May be taken over several quarters and must be devoted to the following sequential activities:

1.   Write and submit a thesis prospectus for Thesis Committee approval.  This prospectus must include thesis objectives, proposed literature review, proposed methodology, and predicted findings.

2.   Once the prospectus is approved, thesis work up to and including the successful defense of the thesis.

Requirements for the MA in Anthropology-Teaching Option: 50 Total Units

Required Course Work: 35 Units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences

BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis

ANTH 535 Seminar in Biological Anthropology

ANTH 545 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 575 Seminar in Archaeological Theory

ANTH 597 Special Issues in Teaching Anthropology

ANTH 598 Directed Study in Teaching Anthropology

ANTH 693 Culminating Experience in Teaching Anthropology

In addition, all students will be required to serve as a teaching assistant for a lower division anthropology class at CSUB for which they will not earn any academic credits.

Elective Coursework: 15 Units

These units, 10 of which must be at the 500-level or above, will be selected based on the advice and recommendation of the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

Culminating Experience in Teaching Anthropology (ANTH 693): 4 Units

Students must prepare and satisfactorily complete the following:

1.   Detailed syllabi for two anthropology classes, one of which must be an introductory anthropology class and the other a course agreed upon with the student’s advisor.

2.   A detailed list of books and reading materials that could be used in the two classes above.

3.   A detailed outline of tests, paper topics and guidelines, homework exercises and other items by which students who are enrolled in the above mentioned classes might be evaluated.

4.   A research paper on a topic of relevance to the elective class.

5.   A sample class lecture on the same topic open to faculty and students-at-large.

Requirements for the MA in Anthropology-Special Project Option: 50 Total Units

Required Course Work: 30 units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences

BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis

ANTH 535 Seminar in Biological Anthropology

ANTH 545 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 575 Seminar in Archaeological Theory

ANTH 694 Culminating Experience in Special Projects

Elective Course Work: 20 units

These units, 10 of which must be at the 500-level or above, must be approved by the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

Culminating Experience:

There are two ways of culminating the MA in Anthropology-Special Project Option, both of which occur by taking for credit, no credit ANTH 694 Culminating Experience in Special Projects, under the supervision of the student’s advisor and faculty committee:

1.   Agency-Based Project

      a.   Submit for approval to the student’s faculty committee a prospectus for the Proposed Project, which shall include a description of the intended project, its objectives, methods that will be used, the scholarly literature that will be consulted, and the timetable proposed for all stages of the project.

      b.   Present and defend a Final Report on the project to the student’s faculty committee in a meeting open to faculty and students-at-large.

2.   Mastery of Two Areas of Anthropology

      a.   Submit for approval to the student’s faculty committee a prospectus for two area papers, which shall include the identification of the two areas of anthropology the student intends to demonstrate mastery over, two lists of proposed readings, and a timetable for the preparation, writing, and submission of each area paper.

      b.   Examination of student on each area by his/her faculty committee in a meeting open to the faculty and students-at-large.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral

Sciences (5)

(For course description, see listing under “Interdisciplinary Courses.”)  [F]

BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and

Analysis (5)

(For course description, see listing under “Interdisciplinary Courses.”)  [W]

ANTH 535 Seminar in Biological Anthropology (5)

Graduate-level survey of major aspects of biological anthropology.  Examination of the historical development of biological anthropology exploration of current knowledge of the evolutionary process, palaeoprimatology, palaeohominid evolution, and the sociobiological foundations of primate and human behavior.  Current theory and understanding of human biological variation, adaptation, and development.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 102 and 402, or consent of the instructor.  [Variable Quarters]

ANTH 545 Seminar in Cultural Anthropology (5)

An examination of the major theoretical orientations in contemporary cultural anthropology.  Attention is given to several basic controversies: materialism vs. idealism, synchronic vs. diachronic studies, positivist vs. interpretive approaches.  [S]

ANTH 550 Symbolic Anthropology and Ritual (5)

Focus will be on exploring various theoretical approaches within symbolic anthropology including the work of Mary Douglas, Clifford Geertz, and Victor Turner.  Particular attention will be given to the application of their theoretical approaches to the study of ritual and shamanism in non‑western cultures.  [F]

ANTH 575 Seminar in Archaeological Theory (5)

Selected theoretical topics in archaeology will be examined in detail.  The history and development of the major theories in archaeology, the contributions of important individual theorists, and the changing emphases in archaeology will be covered.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 301 or permission of instructor.  [W]

ANTH 576 Seminar in Archaeological Methods (5)

Selected topics in archaeological methods will be examined in detail.  Specific approaches to analysis, such as research design, special analytic techniques (e.g., faunal analysis, lithic analysis, etc.), the direct‑historical approach, computer modeling and statistics, and others, will be addressed.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 390 or permission of instructor.  [F]

ANTH 577 Advanced Topics in Anthropology

(1-5)

Exploration at an advanced level of selected topics in anthropology.  Permission of the instructor is required.  May be repeated for different course content.  [By Petition]

ANTH 591 Advanced Field Archaeology (5)

Students will participate in the planning (both research design and logistics), execution, and supervision of archaeological field projects in conjunction with the instructor.  This may involve acting in the capacity of a supervisor to the undergraduate field archaeology students and/or conducting independent research as a project director.  This course may be taken as part of the data collection element relevant to the completion of a thesis.  Permission of instructor is required.

ANTH 597 Special Issues in Teaching Anthropology (1)

This is a practicum course designed to prepare students to teach anthropology.  Topics covered include managing large classes, facilitating small group discussions, encouraging in-class presentations, incorporating technology in the classroom, selecting films, teaching about non-western societies, and teaching sensitive topics.  [By Petition]

ANTH 598 Directed Study in Teaching Anthropology (5)

This is a practicum course to be conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor from a college or university in CSUB’s service region.  Weekly meetings with faculty sponsor and supervised experience which may include administering and developing examinations, course development, discussion group leadership, selected lectures, and in-depth directed readings of relevant topics.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 597 and consent of instructor who will serve as sponsor, and approval by Chair of Department of Sociology and Anthropology.  [By Petition]

ANTH 693 Culminating Experience in Teaching Anthropology (4)

Students who have completed all other prerequisites for the MA in Anthropology-Teaching Track must culminate their graduate program by taking and passing this course.  Upon satisfactorily preparing, completing, and presenting the following tasks to the student’s faculty committee, the student will be granted the MA in Anthropology: a detailed syllabus for two anthropology classes, one of which must be an introductory anthropology course, and the other should be in a substantive area of the student’s choosing; a detailed list of books and reading materials that should be used in these two classes; a detailed outline of tests, paper topics and guidelines, homework exercises and other items by which students who are enrolled in the these classes might be evaluated; a critical literature review on a topic of relevance to the elective class; and, finally, deliver a sample class lecture to the faculty committee on the same topic in a session open to faculty and students-at-large.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  [By Petition]

ANTH 694 Culminating Experience in Special Projects (5)

Students who have completed all other prerequisites for the MA in Anthropology-Special Projects Track must culminate their graduate program by taking and passing this course.  There are two ways of passing this course:  (a) by performing an agency-based project or (b) by demonstrating mastery of two areas of anthropology.  Upon satisfactorily preparing, completing, and presenting the tasks associated with either type of special project to the student’s faculty committee, the student will be granted the MA in Anthropology.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  [By Petition]

ANTH 695 Master’s Thesis in Anthropology (1-9)

[By Petition]

ANTH 699 Individual Graduate Study (1-5)

Investigation of an approved project leading to a written report.  Project selected in conference with professor in area of major interest.  Regular meetings to be arranged with professor.  [By Petition]