Smith College Department of Anthropology

The major is organized around a sequence of required courses: introduction to cultural anthropology (ANT 130), a colloquium in anthropology (ANT220), the history of anthropological theory (ANT223), and one Smith senior seminar. Four additional anthropology classes are selected, in consultation with the adviser, based on the student’s geographical and subject interests. The remaining three courses for the major may be additional anthropology classes or classes in other disciplines that are related to the student’s interests. All majors must show a competency in a foreign language equivalent to four semesters at the college level. Students who wish to focus their major in biological anthropology or archaeology may fill this requirement with two courses in a mathematical (M) and/or natural science (N) if the courses are critical to advanced work in one of these sub-fields and they are above the 100 level. A maximum of two language courses or quantitative/science courses may count towards the three related courses category for the major.

2. Special Program Options in Anthropology

Students majoring in anthropology are encouraged to consider an academic program abroad during their junior year. In the past, majors have spent a term or year in Chhile, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Keyna, Mexico, Nepal, Senegal, and South Africa. Students planning to spend the junior year abroad should take at least one but preferably two courses anthropology during the sophomore year. Students should discuss their study abroad plans with advisers, particularly if they wish to do a special studies or senior thesis upon their return.

A wide variety of opportunities for study at other universities and in special programs -- both in America and abroad -- are available to Anthropology students. These include:

     a) The Smith College Programs in Paris, Geneva, Florence and Hamburg.

     b) Programs operated by other institutions and affiliated with Smith.

     c) Programs operated by other institutions lacking in any formal affiliation with Smith.

     d) Student-designed programs approved by the Smith Department. These projects usually include supervision from or residency at another university.

3. Special Studies Options in Anthropology

Students wishing to pursue individualized study in their junior or senior years on campus may enroll in Anthropology 404a, b, or 408d Special Studies. A student must secure the agreement of a faculty member to supervise a particular project prior to enrolling in the course. Examples of the kinds of work done under this category include:

in-depth reading in an area not covered in another course;

the following-through of a research proposal developed in another course (either library research or empirical research);

other options, to be negotiated between the student and a particular faculty member.

4. Courses in Which Field Work or Field Research is Required or Encouraged

Anthropology 248, Medical Anthropology, Prof. Joralemon
Anthropology 342, The Anthropology of Food, Prof. Zhang-Gottschang
Anthropology 344 Seminar: Topics in Medical Anthropology, Prof. Joralemon

THE MINOR

Advisers: Ravina Aggarwal, Elliot Fratkin, Donald Joralemon, Suzanne Z.-Gottschang.

1. Requirements

Six (6) courses in anthropology including: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology."