The urban ethnography field school gives students the opportunity to conduct participant-observation, jot field notes, record formal and semi-formal interviews, take field photography, and assemble qualitative data into an organized archive.
Cahokia Mounds Archaeology Field School students receive training in various aspects of archaeological fieldwork, including site survey and mapping, excavation and recording techniques, artifact identification, analysis, processing and inventory.
Anthropology is the study of humans. The anthropological endeavor involves both the sociocultural and biological aspects of humankind. The study of anthropology requires a holistic approach; it is comprehensive, inclusive and integrates information from many different areas of study through ethnographic, biological, cross-cultural, archaeological and sociological inquiries.
An anthropological perspective — including an examination of the similarities and differences among human groups, cultures and societies both locally and worldwide — emphasizes the concepts of cultural relativism, multicultural perspectives and globalization processes that are vital to many areas of study at Saint Louis University.
By participating in anthropology courses in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, students will be further prepared to successfully function in and partake of an interconnected world. The major and minor degrees in anthropology are designed to complement any other major at the University.
The anthropology program also supports an active Anthropology Club and houses the Eta Chapter of Lambda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society. Both organizations are engaged in numerous outreach programs at SLU and within the greater St. Louis community.
Key program components include a rigorous social science curriculum focused on the subfields of cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology; lab courses that provide a hands-on learning dimension; practical applied experiences through fieldwork opportunities and independent research projects; and connections made with the larger community via internships, study abroad opportunities and a senior capstone project.
Students choose an emphasis in one of four subfields of anthropology:
One characteristic that sets anthropology apart from other fields of study is its holistic approach. It is comprehensive, inclusive and integrates information from many different areas of study through ethnographic, biological, cross-cultural, archaeological and sociological inquiries.
Fieldwork takes place within and outside the U.S. This allows students to experience other cultures in a unique, firsthand way and gain a greater appreciation for cultures different from their own. Faculty are pleased to offer SLU students dynamic courses and fieldwork opportunities in the upcoming months and years that will enrich their classroom learning, as well as their lives.
The Archeology Lab provides an excellent workspace for students to explore and contribute to the science of archeology. Each semester, the lab provides hands-on opportunities for students to explore prehistoric and historic lithics, ceramics and other materials, and to develop student-initiated research projects.
The Urban Lab makes the city of St. Louis a classroom. Through coursework, internships and field schools, you’ll have the chance to conduct original research on urban culture, inequality and development.
SLU's anthropology graduates are prepared to successfully function in an interconnected world. The major and minor degrees in anthropology are designed to complement any other major. Alumni of the anthropology program have the following careers:
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Anthropology students must complete a minimum total of 31 credits for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
College core requirements | 57-66 | |
For additional information about core courses | ||
Required Courses | ||
ANTH 2200 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH 2210 & ANTH 2215 | Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 |
ANTH 2240 | Archaeology | 3 |
ANTH 3200 | Anthropological Theory | 3 |
ANTH 4870 | Capstone in Anthropology | 3 |
Electives | ||
Students will select five courses from the following list. One must be a methods course, marked with (*). | ||
In addition, all students are required to take three electives at the 3000 level or above to qualify for completion of the major. | 15 | |
Introduction to Anthropology | ||
Anthropology of Sex & Gender | ||
Peace and Conflict | ||
Climate Change & Environmental Futures | ||
Forensic Anthropology | ||
Native Peoples of North America | ||
Primate Social Behavior (*) | ||
Urban Ethnography: Cities in a Global Perspective (*) | ||
Environmental Impact | ||
Field Recovery Methods | ||
Archaeological Lab Method (*) | ||
Research Activity: Supervised (*) | ||
Survey of Forensic Science | ||
World Geography | ||
Research Methods (*) | ||
Gender and Society | ||
Racial and Ethnic Relations | ||
Marriage and the Family | ||
Quantitative Research Methods | ||
Qualitative Research | ||
Research Activity: Supervised | ||
Special Topics | ||
Advanced Independent Study | ||
General Electives | 23-32 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Students who major in anthropology must maintain a 2.00 GPA in courses for the anthropology major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Components and Credits | ||
Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
Global Citizenship | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Literature | 6 | |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Natural Science | 6 | |
Philosophy | 9 | |
Social Science | 6 | |
Theology | 9 | |
World History | 6 | |
Total Credits | 57-66 |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ANTH 1200 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
ENGL 1900 |
Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research or Advanced Writing or Rhetoric & Research Strategies |
3 |
MATH 1200 | College Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
SOC 2000 | Research Methods | 3 |
Foreign Language 2010 (if qualified) | 3 | |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
Natural Science: BIOL, CHEM, EAS, FRSC, or PHYS | 4 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ANTH 2200 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
Theology 2xxx | 3 | |
Literature ENGL 2xxx | 3 | |
PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
Natural Science: BIOL, CHEM, EAS, FRSC, or PHYS | 4 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ANTH 2210 & ANTH 2215 |
Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Lab |
4 |
Theology 3xxx | 3 | |
Literature 3-4xxx | 3 | |
Philosophy 3-4xxx | 3 | |
FPA 1xxx | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
ANTH 2240 | Archaeology | 3 |
ANTH Elective | 3 | |
ANTH Elective | 3 | |
U.S. Diversity Course | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ANTH 3200 | Anthropological Theory | 3 |
ANTH Elective/Global Citizenship | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ANTH Elective | 3 | |
ANTH Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ANTH 4870 | Capstone in Anthropology | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 123 |