The Anthropology Department currently offers two Special Emphasis Programs to help qualifying students focus their course selection and future career plans. Emphases are open to majors and minors. The Anthropology major can be completed without such an emphasis, however, many students benefit from the additional focus an emphasis gives their program of study. You should discuss the emphasis possibilities thoroughly with both your major advisor and the Program Director of any emphasis that interests you. In order to qualify for admission to a special emphasis program, a student must have a 2.7 GPA in Anthropology.
Archaeology
The Archaeology Special Emphasis Program is intended to provide students with a strong background in anthropological concepts, their use in archaeological reasoning and analysis, and a firm grasp of the techniques and methods unique to archaeological practice. By completing this program, students should have the appropriate background for either continuing to graduate school in archaeology/anthropology or seeking employment in archaeological work in the private sector or in local, state, or federal governments. Anthropology majors who wish to participate in the Archaeology Special Emphasis Program must complete the following requirements:
- All of the prescribed requirements for the Anthropology major or minor.
- Four upper-division courses either from the archaeology core course list or from those with special relevance to archaeological issues. A minimum of the two courses must be selected from among the core courses.
- An archaeological field school and/or an internship in a museum or cultural resource management firm. Selection of an internship or field school should be made in consultation with the program director and the Internship Coordinator.
A number of courses offered by other departments are strongly recommended to better prepare the student for future careers in archaeology. Of special interest to students interested in archaeology, the program sponsors a monthly meeting of the Santa Clara County Archaeological Society. See Professor Lisa Kealhofer for membership information and the dates, times, and titles of lectures.
Students wishing more information on the Archaeology Special Emphasis Program should contact Professor Lisa Kealhofer.
Applied Anthropology
The Applied Anthropology Emphasis prepares students to use their anthropological knowledge to address human problems in careers outside the university. Through course work and related internships, students will gain a better understanding of how anthropological perspectives and skills can be used practically in occupations related to health and medicine, international development, environment, government, business and education, immigration, and poverty.
Anthropology students who wish to participate in the Applied Anthropology Emphasis Program must complete the following requirements:
- All the prescribed requirements for an Anthropology major or minor.
- Anth 158 (Applied Anthropology).
- Three upper-division courses with special relevance to Applied Anthropology topics (consult with Program Director to verify which courses are appropriate).
- An internship in an organization whose focus is related to the substantive upper division electives that the student has chosen. Selection of an internship should be made in consultation with the program section chair and the Internship Coordinator.
A number of courses offered by other departments that are related to applied anthropology are strongly recommended. These courses will help the student better prepare for future careers in the area of applied anthropology.
Students wishing more information on the Applied Anthropology Special Emphasis Program should contact Professor Mythri Jegathesan.
Biological Anthropology
The Biological emphasis provides in-depth training in the field of biolological anthropology. Students will acquire intellectual breadth and depth with regard to the interdisciplinary nature of anthropology and the biological and cultural interactions that have influenced human evolution and modern human diversity.