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Anthropology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.

Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using a cultural relativism perspective. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

A ”P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology 3
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory (1)
ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
   or ADMJ 332 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 324 World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
SOC 345 Global Women's Issues (3)
   or WGS 302 Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units: 18

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
  • write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
  • reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
  • demonstrate content knowledge in broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropologists with baccalaureate or graduate degrees work as archaeological technicians or project directors for private, state or federal organizations, museum managers, forensic specialists in police departments and crime labs, primatologists and zoo curators, teachers, consultants or analysts for private, government or educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.

Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using a cultural relativism perspective. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory 1
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology (3) 3
   or ANTH 324 World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics 3
A minimum of 12 units from the following: 12
ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
   or ADMJ 332 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 325 Archaeology of Mesoamerica (3)
ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California (3)
ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America (3)
ARTH 304 Ancient Art (3)
   or ARTH 484 Ancient Art-Honors (3)
ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 351 Native American Policy and Law (3)
ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOL 310 Historical Geology (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 360 History of African Civilizations (3)
HIST 364 Asian Civilization (3)
HIST 373 History of Mexico (3)
HIST 380 History of the Middle East (3)
SOC 310 Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
WGS 302 Global Women's Issues (3)
   or SOC 345 Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units: 25

The Anthropology Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
  • write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
  • reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
  • demonstrate content knowledge in the broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropologists with baccalaureate or graduate degrees work as archaeological technicians or project directors for private, state or federal organizations, museum managers, forensic specialists in police departments and crime labs, primatologists and zoo curators, teachers, consultants or analysts for private, government or educational institutions or non-profit organizations.