Anthropology (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

By providing students with tools for better understanding human social and cultural complexity, a BA in Anthropology prepares students for careers in global health and medicine, museums, law, government, environmental management, entrepreneurship and international business, education and the arts.

Anthropology majors are required to take 10 courses (40 units) in Anthropology.

Areas of Focus

Anthropology majors can pursue a focus in a specific area of anthropological inquiry by completing at least three courses (12 units) of qualifying course work. Possible focus areas in Anthropology include:

Medical Anthropology
Heritage Studies and Archaeology
Environmental Anthropology
Media Anthropology

Students may also design a focus that aligns with their interests, with departmental approval.

More information about courses and faculty can be found on the Anthropology Department website: dornsife.usc.edu/anth.

An academic adviser, or the Anthropology Director of Undergraduate Studies (anth-dus@dornsife.usc.edu), can provide further guidance in selecting appropriate course work.

Introductory Course Work (4 units)

One introductory course in preparation for the major, either:

ANTH 201g Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology Units: 4
or
ANTH 263g Exploring Culture through Film Units: 4

Required Courses, Upper-Division (12 units)

Three upper-division ANTH courses are required for all majors:

ANTH 410 Ethnographic Research Methods Units: 4
ANTH 411 Thesis Seminar in Ethnographic Analysis Units: 4
ANTH 440 History of Anthropological Theory Units: 4

Electives (24 units)

Six Anthropology electives, which must include:

At least one 4-unit lower-division ANTH course (100-299).

At least two 4-unit upper-division ANTH courses (300-499).

One or more 4-unit courses representing an area of world ethnography: involving study of a region, cultural or religious group, or diasporic or settled community. Courses outside of ANTH, as well as course work completed during study abroad, may be applied toward this requirement as approved by adviser or faculty.