Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Fairfax, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for International student | Domestic student is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Introduction
Do you wonder why human beings act the way they do? Why does human behavior vary so much across cultures and time? Did you know that even biology changes with culture? How do biology and culture relate to one another? How did people start living together and what do those early communities tell us about ourselves today? How and why did humans evolve? Are we still evolving?
Mason's anthropology degree is designed for students with interests like yours. In addition to explorations of cultures worldwide, our programs in archaeology and biological anthropology give you hands-on research experience with faculty through fieldwork in bioarchaeology, archaeology, and museum-based research. You are also able to take advantage of the rich cultural anthropological resources of the Washington DC area, including the Smithsonian museums. Our programs in cultural anthropology connect anthropological research to current social challenges such as health and disease, urbanization, militarization, and geopolitics. Students have interned at museums, non-profits, and in the federal government, including the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and the US Department of Education.
Anthropology majors develop an eye for detail and careful observation, critical thinking, sensitivity to the unfamiliar, skills in research and writing, and an ability to describe and understand the culture – an ability particularly valued in a globalized world.
Graduates are well prepared for a variety of careers in fields such as health and well-being, public policy, criminal justice, and forensic anthropology, humanitarian action and international diplomacy, conservation, museum studies, public archaeology, advanced academic training, and research and development. Many of our students also end up in management positions, as educators, or in various life, physical, or social sciences.
Program Outcome
All students have opportunities to
- conduct independent research
- engage in globally-related activities through coursework and language study at Mason and abroad
- participate in many forms of public service
- prepare for their future careers through internships, career-focused minors and other college-to-career activities
Curriculum
Sample 4-Year Graduation Plan
Year One: Semester One
- Foreign Language 110
- ANTH 114, Cultural Anthropology (Nonwestern Culture)
- ENGH 101 (100) or COMM 101
- Arts
- CHSS 100 or 101 (optional)
Year One: Semester Two
- Foreign Language 201
- ANTH 120, Unearthing the Past (Social and Behavioral Science)
- ENGH 101 (100) or COMM 101
- Natural Science with lab
- Quantitative Reasoning
Year Two: Semester One
- ANTH 135, Intro to Biological Anthropology (Natural Science without lab)
- Foreign Language 202
- Western Civilization/World History
- Global Understanding
- Social and Behavioral Science (college)
Year Two: Semester Two
- Cultural/Bio/Archaeology ANTH course
- Philosophy or Religious Studies
- Information Technology & Computing
- Literature
- Minor Elective/Upper-level elective
Year Three: Semester One
- ENGH 302
- Cultural/Bio/Archaeology ANTH course
- ANTH upper-level elective
- Minor course/upper-level elective
- Upper-level elective
Year Three: Semester Two
- Cultural/Bio/Archaeology ANTH course
- ANTH upper-level elective
- ANTH 400 or another Synthesis course
- Minor Elective/upper-level elective
- Elective
- CHSS/UNIV Career Readiness course (optional)
Year Four: Semester One
- ANTH 390, History of Anth Thought
- ANTH Methods (386 or 450)
- Minor course/upper-level elective
- Minor course/upper-level elective
- Elective
Year Four: Semester Two
- ANTH Upper-level Elective
- ANTH 490, Writing Intensive requirement
- Minor Elective/upper-level elective
- Minor Elective/upper-level elective
- Elective
Career Opportunities
Graduates are well prepared for a variety of careers in fields such as health and well-being, public policy, criminal justice, and forensic anthropology, humanitarian action and international diplomacy, conservation, museum studies, public archaeology, advanced academic training, and research and development. Many of our students also end up in management positions, as educators, or in various life, physical, or social sciences.
Admissions
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English Language Requirements
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