Anthropology Major

The Anthropology major introduces students to insights into human behavior from a comparative, cross-cultural perspective. As an intrinsically cross-cultural form of inquiry, anthropology offers its own, inherent benefits that students acquire as they encounter ways of thinking and behaving that may be unfamiliar to them. Opportunities for cross-cultural ministry, for careers in business and as consultants, and for Christian citizenship in the world of the twenty-first century can be enhanced greatly for students completing an anthropology major.

In the event that required major courses are unavailable due to faculty or curricular changes, the anthropology department will work with students on a case-by-case basis to find substitutionary courses.

Along with specific requirements for any major, all students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs must meet all general education and graduation requirements under a single catalog.

Requirements for a major in Anthropology are at least 40 hours including:

¹

In addition to the 20 credits required in the core, anthropology majors will choose another 16 credits in Anthropology. Students may take up to four (4) credits of SOC, at the 300 level or higher, towards their Anthropology elective total. In addition to the courses listed below, the Anthropology department frequently offers experimental courses, which are listed in the course schedule.

²

This requirement may also be satisfied by transfer credit upon departmental approval.

³

As part of the anthropology major requirements, students will be required to satisfy a field experience requirement involving immersion in an unfamiliar cultural context and/or significant use of anthropological methods and knowledge in a new social/cultural context. Students may use Wheaton (e.g., HNGR, Wheaton-in-Chicago) or non-Wheaton programs to satisfy the requirement, but all programs must be pre-approved by the department to be considered as meeting the requirement. A maximum of 8 credits earned through such an experience may be applied towards the major elective requirements. Core requirements (with the exception of ANTH 116) may not be satisfied through the study abroad credit. Summer study travel programs typically will not satisfy this requirement for cultural immersion, though in special circumstances (e.g., athletes whose season crosses semesters, students with exceptionally rigid courses sequences in second majors, demonstrated physical or emotional accommodations) summer programs and other experiences can be approved.) 

Human Origins/Evolutionary Theory

Human origins is a significant area of physical anthropology and a topic with which a Wheaton anthropology major should have some exposure/familiarity. Toward that end anthropology majors are recommended to take one of the following courses: BIOL 243, SCI 301, SCI 302, SCI 303, or SCI 311.