Anthropology
Graduate Programs
Description
Anthropology is the study of origins and diversity of human biology and culture. Students are competitive for the applied professional career market or admission to nationally recognized doctoral programs. Graduate work offers a generalist, holistic foundation in the discipline and one of the four subfields of Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, or Linguistic Anthropology.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
30 / 30 |
Certificates |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museum Studies GC |
|
15 / 15 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission
Prospective students should submit their application through the Minnesota State University's College of Graduate Studies and Research webpage using the GradCAS system. The Department of Anthropology requires applicants to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and to submit three letters of recommendation; a personal statement that describes your previous training in anthroplogy, the direction and areas of interest you wish to pursue in graduate work, and your educational objectives; a writing sample of 10-15 pages (not including references); and a resume.
Additional requirements for international applicants include a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 61 or a minimum IRLTS score of 5.5, as well as a credential evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service member.
Anthropology attracts people from a wide variety of backgrounds, so we welcome applicants from any field. Students who do not have the equivalent of at least an undergraduate minor in Anthropology may need to take some undergraduate core courses before taking the Master's seminars.
Financial Assistance
We are able to offer some financial support to most of our students at some point in their training. Graduate teaching and research assistantships are granted each year in Anthropology, on a competitive basis. The Andreas Graduate Scholarship in Anthropology is also awarded annually, as is the Anthropology scholarship, which is open to both undergraduates and graduate students. Some scholarships and assistantships are available for incoming students.
To Apply for Financial Assistance, complete a Graduate Assistantship application (https://grad.mnsu.edu/globalassets/college-of-graduate-studies-and-research/files/documents/forms/grad-app-form.pdf) with the other materials in your application. You can apply for other types of financial aid (such as Federal work-study or loans) through the Office of Financial Aid.
Thesis/APP Policy
Students are required to complete a thesis or an alternate plan paper (APP) as part of the degree program. The Department of Anthropology follows the basic guidelines found in the Minnesota State University, Mankato Graduate Studies Bulletin. Students should declare the track they plan to follow (thesis or APP) by the end of their first year. Prior to commencing work on the thesis or APP a student must present a proposal to their examining committee. This proposal should be complete and presented to the student's committee prior to commencing the thesis or APP project. The student will present an oral defense of the thesis or APP to the examining committee at least two weeks prior to the end of fall or spring semester. No thesis or APP defense can be scheduled during the summer.
Contact Information
359 Trafton Science Center North
https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/anthropology/
Faculty
Chair
- Fei Yuan, Ph.D.
Faculty
500 Level
Credits: 3
A detailed study of Minnesota archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca. 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A survey of current knowledge about the prehistoric Native American inhabitants of North America from ca. 15,000 years ago until ca. 1900. Topics will focus on the processes of cultural development, change, and disruption by Euro-American influences.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A detailed study of Latin American archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca. 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A review of the history and philosophy of museums, the legal and ethical issues impacting museums, the nature and treatment of collections, creation, exhibition and exhibit design, the role of museums in education, museum personnel and management, and museums in the technological/electronic age.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Review of how cultural resources are being preserved and managed under current laws and regulations. Emphasis on examination of conservation, preservation and rescue methods in modern archaeology, and problems and issues in historic preservation and resource management.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An intensive exploration of how to identify, catalogue, and curate archeological materials in a laboratory setting. Topics will include lithics, pottery, faunal, floral, metal, and other materials as well as data structure and recordation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
An interdisciplinary investigation into Quaternary environmental/climatic change and the impact of change on the behavior and evolution of humans. This course has three segments: 1) an examination of natural systems responsible for climatic change, the impact climatic fluctuations have on Earth systems, timing of Quaternary changes, evidence of climatic/environmental change from spatially distant, climatically distinct environments; 2) investigation into worldwide evidence of human evolution, global dispersion, and adaptation to environmental systems; introduction to various methodological approaches in Quaternary archeologic, geomorphic, and climatic studies. Focus is on proxy records used for climate/environmental reconstruction, archeolgic/geomorphologic field methods, geochronologic dating methods.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
This course examines the history of agricultural systems in world wide perspective, with an emphasis on understanding their social and environmental contexts and the effects on them of climate change. Case examples will highlight the conditions under which agricultural systems emerge, thrive, and fail, and the impacts of these processes on human populations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An advanced examination of the human skeletal system and the application of this information in the fields of bioarchaeology, paleonanthrology, and forensic anthropology. This course features hands-on identification and analysis of human skeletal material, with an emphasis on laboratory techniques.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Cross-cultural examination of the response of peoples in non-Western societies to the human universal of illness. Non-Western concepts of disease, health, and treatment.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course will acquaint students with the application of human osteological techniques in civil and criminal investigations, including assessment of the recovery scene, determination of identity and analysis of evidence relating to cause and manner of death.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Bioarchaeology focuses on the diet, health, and occupations of past populations through the analysis of their skeletal remains. Readings and lab work will promote a practical understanding of the methods used in the discipline.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The biological and cultural aspects of death, as seen anthropologically, are the focus of this course. Mortuary behavior, ritual, and treatment of the human body will be addressed both temporally and cross-culturally.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The contemporary peoples and cultures of Mexico and Central and South America. Emphasis is on cultural patterns and contemporary issues of the region.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course introduces concepts and methods of applying anthropological understanding to contemporary problems to bring about the empowerment of affected peoples. Case studies illustrate the impact and problems of culture change with special attention to its affect on powerless groups of people. Students will also design their own applied projects.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Kinship is the most basic principle of organization for all human societies. The course analyzes the main theories and methods of studying social organization, and explores cross-cultural variations in kinship, marriage and family systems.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Major anthropological theories of gender relations are read, discussed, and applied to a variety of contemporary ethnographic case studies.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An evolutionary and cross-cultural examination of the aging process, status, and treatment of the elderly.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examines the practical applications of anthropological knowledge to problem-oriented research and the problems of directed sociocultural change among contemporary populations. Selected projects and case studies are used to illustrate the complexity of applied sociocultural change.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examination of the intellectual history of anthropology from its nineteenth century roots to today's current theoretical trends. Students will learn about major school of thought in anthropological theory and practice critical examination of their applications.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The aim of this course is to make students methodologically literate. Students will learn how to develop research designs that rely on qualitative research methods such as participants observation. They will learn how to apply these methods by participating in small scale studies of human behavior. some quantitative methods will also be discussed. Students will learn to critically examine published data and conclusions.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
American Indians adapted to environmental systems in North America with cultures ranging from small groups of foragers to cities supported by intensive agriculture. This course presents a variety of perspectives of this cultural diversity from the Ice Age to the 21st Century.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Survey of East Asian cultural region. Cultural diversity, change and continuity examined in China, Japan and Korea through institutions and cultural settings. Focus includes how modern East Asian societies face internal social changes and their changing international status.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
This course allows pursuit of individual avenues of study that may not be offered in the curriculum and for advanced level pursuit of special projects of research on an independent basis. Requires coordination with a faculty member.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3-6
Field experience in which method and theory are learned through participation in and on-going field project.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course allows faculty the flexibility to consider the challenges of the new developments in anthropology. Content will vary from one course to the next. Students may take the course, with the permission of the instructor, more than one time.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
A brief intensive hands-on introduction to an anthropological topic usually as it applies to a particular issue or skill. Topics vary but might include: Understanding that race is not a scientific concept; combating racism and ethnocentrism; participant observation methods; culture shock; cultural diversity and communication; forensics; cultural resource conservation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
An introduction to archaelogical laboratory techniques and museological practice, through participation in the various processes involved.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Guided advanced laboratory work in biological/physical anthropology.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Individual projects are done in close coordination with faculty member.Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
A comprehensive historical overview of the major theoretical schools of thought in anthropology. Special emphasis given to assumptions, methods of data collection and analysis, and major issues surrounding each theoretical perspective.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Advanced review of major qualitative and quantitative methods used in anthropological research. Course is also intended to aid students in the preparation of the thesis proposal.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An advanced seminar examining the ways anthropologists pratice anthropology. The course explores theoretical foundations and issues related to the professional practice of anthropology and focuses on developing necessary skills for sound professional practice.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
A seminar on a topic from one of the major sub disciplines in anthropology. Topic is announced. Seminar may be taken more than once for credit, as the topic changes. Prereq: permission of instructorPrerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Prerequisite: permission of instructorPrerequisites: none
Credits: 3-6
Preparation of an alternate plan paper or applied project under supervision of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in Anthropology.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-12
Practical field experience, usually under the supervision of some off-campus professional.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Practical classroom experience under the supervision of faculty. This course will prepare students to assist faculty in the delivery of courses as well as prepare them to teach on their own.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Preparation on the master's thesis.Prerequisites: none
