Anthropology, Thesis, MA

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduate Faculty

Bruna, Sean, PhD, director of graduate studies, sovereignty, applied anthropology, medical anthropology, chronic disease prevention, community based participatory research (CBPR) Native North America, U.S. Southwest.
Campbell, Sarah, PhD, Pacific Northwest prehistory, archaeological method and theory, cultural resource management.
Fisher, Josh, PhD, economics/environmental anthropology, critical development studies, feminist political economy, postcolonial theories/methods; Latin America, Nicaragua.
Koetje, Todd A., PhD, archaeology, quantitative methods, spatial studies, method and theory, paleolithic Old World, paleoindian-archaic Northeast U.S.
Monson, Tesla, PhD, primate fossil record, skeletal and dental variation, life history, reproductive ecology, human evolution, Africa, Americas.
Mosher, M. J., PhD, anthropological genetics, epigenetics, nutrition, adipokines, human variation and adaptation, Arctic Populations.
Pine, Judith, PhD, linguistic anthropology, literacy theory, indigenousness, globalization/borders, language maintenance/endangerment, upland peoples of SE Asia/SW China.
Young, Kathleen, PhD, gender, religion, war and violence, death and dying, cross-cultural law.
Yu, Yeon Jung, PhD, social networks, medical anthropology, gender, migration/immigration, mixed methods, East Asia.

Program Advisor: Dr. Sean Bruna, Arntzen Hall 320, 360-650-2290, Sean.Bruna@wwu.edu

Goals

Provide structured training in academic core, appropriate specialization courses, and experience conducting independent research
Prepare students for a variety of professional careers utilizing anthropology (e.g. social services, international corporations, cultural resource management, forensics, public health)
Prepare students for PhD programs or other advanced degrees.

Prerequisites

Undergraduate major in anthropology or related field such as human biology, linguistics, classical studies, history, women’s studies, sociology and other social sciences. Applicants with insufficient background in theory, quantitative or qualitative methods relevant to their field of study may be required to take undergraduate classes before entering the program. Applicants are directed to the current course requirements in the appropriate undergraduate anthropology major for an indication of the preparation expected.

Application Information

Deadline: Please see Graduate School deadlines. Preferred consideration for admission will be given to applicants who have complete files by January 15.

TA Deadline: Preferred consideration will be given to applicants who have complete files by January 15.

Specific Entrance and Test Requirements

A 500-word essay stating reasons for wanting to do graduate work in anthropology, and indicating major interests within anthropology
Graduate Record Exam, General Test

Both the essay and the GRE are required for admission, but the GRE may be waived for applicants with advanced degrees.

Program Requirements (45 credits)

❑ One course from the following: ANTH 501, ANTH 506, ANTH 525 or ANTH 547
❑ ANTH 502 - Theory in Anthropological Research Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 503 - Research Design and Method Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 585 - Essentials of Graduate Study in Anthropology Credits: 2
❑ ANTH 586 - Research Mentorship Credits: 1 (Minimum of 3 credits)
❑ ANTH 690 - Thesis Credits: 1-12 (3-12)
❑ Electives in specialization: Courses selected under advisement from 400 or 500 level courses in anthropology.

Course Electives:

ANTH 456 - Anthropology of War and Human Rights Credits: 4
ANTH 457 - The Anthropology of Death and Dying Credits: 5
ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest Studies Credits: 5
ANTH 470 - Museology Studies Credits: 3-5
ANTH 473 - Field Course in Ethnography Credits: 5-12
ANTH 475 - Humane Migration Credits: 5
ANTH 484 - Intercultural Education Credits: 5
ANTH 501 - History of Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 506 - Archaeological Method and Theory Credits: 5
ANTH 510 - Applied Archaeological Analysis and Interpretation Credits: 5
ANTH 511 - Current Archaeological Research in Northwestern North America Credits: 5
ANTH 515 - Practicum in Archaeological Spatial Analysis Credits: 5
ANTH 520 - Human Osteology Credits: 5
ANTH 522 - Nutritional Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 524 - Applied Medical Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 525 - Primate Evolution Credits: 5
ANTH 526 - Human Genetics and Epigenetics for the 21st Century Credits: 5
ANTH 528 - Applied Cultural Resource Management Credits: 5
ANTH 547 - Semiotic Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 553 - Women of the Global South Credits: 5
ANTH 554 - Participatory Action Research Methods Credits: 5
ANTH 563 - Peoples of East and Southeast Asia Credits: 5
ANTH 565 - Peoples of Mexico & Central America Credits: 5
ANTH 571 - Field Work Methods in Cultural Anthropology Credits: 7
ANTH 572 - Visual Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 576 - Borderlands Credits: 5
ANTH 580 - Applied Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 581 - Childhood and Culture Credits: 5
NOTE: Three credits of ANTH 690 are required. Not more than 12 credits of 690 will apply toward the 45-credit requirement for the degree.
NOTE: No more than 10 credits of 400 level courses can be applied to the graduate degree. At least 35 credits must be from courses at the 500 or 600 (thesis) level.
Supporting Courses: Where appropriate to the student’s specialty interests, the candidate may elect up to 15 credits from a related discipline, under Anthropology Graduate Committee advisement (0-15).
Advancement to candidacy is granted upon successful completion of 15 credits.