Behavioral and Social Sciences
This program is about understanding human beings with respect to both culture and biology across the history of the species. The program often leads to graduate study but can also be useful in missions, education, health care and other humanitarian endeavors.
Degree Checklist
For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.
General Education Requirements-Total Hours: 53-58
Click here for the General Education Core requirements
This major requires 6 hours of foreign language at the intermediate level.
Religion Requirements - Total Hours: 15
Three hours of the Biblical Faith and Lifestyle requirement are fulfilled by the following.
Specialty Area Requirements
| ANTH 290 - Introduction to Archaeology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An introduction to theory and method in modern archaeology, which will survey anthropological, historical and Biblical archaeological perspectives. The course will cover site selection, site survey, excavation techniques, dating methods, artifact preservation and interpretation of archaeological data. |
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| ANTH 310 - Cultural Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An introduction to various aspects of culture including material, social, economic, aesthetics, political, religious and linguistic factors. |
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| ANTH 325 - Research Methods and Statistics I | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This is the first of a two-course sequence covering research methods and statistics in the behavioral and social sciences. This first section covers primary statistical and research methods, how and when statistics are used, and also helps the student to better understand and evaluate research studies. PrerequisitesMTHS-135 |
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| ANTH 385 - Linguistic Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course introduces theory, methods, philosophical approaches, and concepts related to studying the interface betweeen language and culture. The goal is to provide the student with the tools necessary to analyze linguistic behavior in the context of ethnographic fieldwork. PrerequisitesNone. |
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| ANTH 401 - Biological Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course covers topics relevant to observational and theoretical evidences of contemporary evolutionary biology with emphasis on an anthropological understanding of the physical characteristics of humans and non-human primates. Major concepts of evolutionary thought will be discussed in light of a Christian worldview. This course will approach evolutionary biology and biblical thought philosophically and scientifically, emphasizing areas of corroboration. Emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking skills. PrerequisitesANTH-310 or SOCI 310 |
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| ANTH 405 - Anthropological Thought and Theory | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course is an in-depth survey of significant primary writings in anthropological thought and theory covering the period from the mid 19th century until the present. It provides the background and knowledge necessary for students to evaluate anthropological literature in a theological context. PrerequisitesANTH 310 or SOCI 310 |
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| ANTH 425 - Ethnographic Writing and Research | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Advanced study of ethnographic research and writing techniques. The course will cover interview methods, interdisciplinary research, application of qualitative and quantitative methods to research data, and keeping field notes. Reading and writing ethnography will be emphasized. PrerequisitesANTH 310 or SOCI 310 |
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| ANTH 495 - A Seminar in the Integration Of Anthropology and Christian Faith | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course explores the potentials for, and problems of, a distinctively Christian social science, emphasizing the need for individual integration of one's social science perspective into his/her own experience of Christian discipleship. This course also examines the unique nature of anthropology, as both a calling and a profession, which equips it to effectively serve the mission of the Church and to improve human social conditions. PrerequisitesTHEO 231 and ANTH 405 |
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Major Culture Area Studies Electives - Credit Hours: 6
(Select six hours from the courses listed below)
| ANTH 330 - Peoples and Cultures of a Selected Region | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A broad investigation of the cultural unity and diversity of a selected region, its peoples, culture areas and traditions. This course is designed to give students a general knowledge of a selected region, i.e. Latin America, American Southwest, Central Asia-China, Appalachia, through the use of ethnological, archaeological, and historical material including topics on village organization, technological change, urbanization, religious systems and social relations. |
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| ANTH 331 - The Arab World and Islam | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A broad investigation of the cultural unity and diversity of the Arab world. This course is designed to give students a general knowledge of the region and specific knowledge about how Islam is integrated into the everyday life of Muslims. The course will utilize ethnological, archaeological and historical material to shed light on topics such as village organization, technological change, urbanization, religious systems and social relations. |
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| ANTH 333 - Native Americans of the Southwest | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A broad investigation of the cultural unity and diversity of the Southwest, its peoples, culture areas, traditions and geography. |
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| ANTH 335 - Contemporary Latin American Culture | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the cultures and societies of Latin America with the purpose of developing in them an appreciation for the diverse cultures and civilizations of the region. |
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| ANTH 337 - Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course will explore changes in contemporary Chinese culture and society from 1949 to the present. It will employ anthropological and sociological theoretical perspectives to investigate emerging trends in China today including history and memories of revolutions, market forces, and work, family and marriage, family planning and child rearing, public and private life, migration and ethnicity, religions and rituals, gender and sexuality, as well as environmental politics and globalization. |
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Major Electives - Total Hours: 12
(Select twelve hours from the courses listed below)
| ANTH 105 - Visual Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course will explore how anthropologists study humankind and how they communicate their findings by means of photographs, video and film. Visual media will be used to explore how world cultures and American subcultures are presented in photographs and on film in ways that influence and distort the cultural reality but can also present valuable ethnographic information. |
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| ANTH 312 - Human Geography | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course examines cultural change and cultural regionalism, concepts and models of spatial interaction, and spatial behavior including geographical patterns of languages, religion, ethnic groups, folk and popular culture, and population geographical distribution of economic, urban and political organizations. |
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| ANTH 370 - Social and Cultural Change | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Study of past, present and future changes in social structures and cultural patterns. A cross-cultural/comparative approach will be used to examine such topics as modernization, industrialization, cultural ecology, world systems, revolutions, economic development, information society and robotics. |
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| ANTH 380 - Introduction to Linguistics | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An introduction to scientific language study including morphology, phonology, syntax, pragmatics and the nature of language. PrerequisitesENGL-110 |
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| ANTH 410 - Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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The significance of ethnic minorities in American society and the world with an introduction to sociological and anthropological theory as well as an interpretation of dominant-minority relations. PrerequisitesSOCI-200 |
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| ANTH 415 - Archaeology Field Methods | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Students will participate in an archaeological field experience approved/led by the anthropology faculty. Permission of the anthropology coordinator is required in order to register for this course. PrerequisitesANTH 290 |
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| ANTH 431 - Teaching Practicum in Anthropology | Credit Hours: 1 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of anthropology and acquire skills that better prepare them for graduate and professional level work. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 9 hours of anthropology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| ANTH 432 - Teaching Practicum in Anthropology | Credit Hours: 2 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of anthropology and acquire skills that better prepare them for graduate and professional level work. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 9 hours of anthropology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| ANTH 433 - Teaching Practicum in Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of anthropology and acquire skills that better prepare them for graduate and professional level work. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 9 hours of anthropology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| ANTH 434 - Culture and Personality | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Survey of the approaches to the interrelation between the personality system and the socio-cultural environment with emphasis on mental disorder and cultural change. PrerequisitesSOCI-200 or PSYC-200 |
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