ANTHROPOLOGY STUDENT HANDBOOK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Major in Anthropology at Fort Lewis College?

 

The study of anthropology is an excellent foundation for any career. Understanding the complex dynamics of sociocultural systems both past and present aids professionals in their interactions with clients and co-workers and gives them a broad range of indispensable skills for professional growth.  Dozens of FLC anthropology graduates are currently employed as park rangers, archaeologists, nurses, journalists, ethnographic consultants, social workers, primatologists, forensic specialists, lawyers, college professors, public school teachers, and business owners.  A large percentage of our former anthropology students have graduated from or are currently enrolled in prestigious graduate programs at places such as the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, Temple University, the University of Iowa, the University of Missouri, the University of Oregon, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Montana-Missoula, the University of Wyoming, San Francisco State University, Arizona State University, Columbia University, Brown University, the University of California-Riverside, and the University of Colorado-Boulder, to name just a few!

 

The anthropology professors at Fort Lewis College offer a wide variety of interesting courses and dedicate themselves to bringing the most accurate and up-to-date information into their classrooms.  Many of them are also active in other FLC programs including American Indian Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, Mountain Studies, and Honors.  Nestled in the fascinating and culturally diverse Four Corners region, many out-of-classroom experiences are also available, including advanced research opportunities in areas such as ethnobotany, biological anthropology, Latin American anthropology, the anthropology of gender, medical anthropology, and archaeological laboratory studies.  The Department of Anthropology offers an archaeological field school each summer, and study abroad programs have been conducted by anthropology faculty in places such as Greece, England, and Mexico.

Scholarships and internship opportunities are available for anthropology students.  Several anthropology students have participated in the joint Mesa Verde National Park-Fort Lewis College internship program.  Department faculty also tutor anthropology students to apply for graduate school and post-baccalaureate opportunities such as the Fulbright grant program.

 

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How Do I Find Out Whether Anthropology Is for Me?

 

Test Yourself. Go to a career services office located at your high school or local college and obtain tests relating to identifying your skills, goals, and interests.

Take Courses. Enroll in the Anthropology 151 “Introduction to Anthropology” class to decide if you are interested in this discipline and in particular to find out which sub-disciplines of anthropology interest you.  As this course counts for a social sciences state of Colorado general education requirement, you have nothing to lose!

Talk with a Professional Anthropologist. Set up a formal or informal meeting with an anthropologist to ask questions regarding a future in anthropology. Compare yourself with this person to see if you find similar qualities in yourself. 

 

Do Some Anthropology Work Outside the Classroom. Try and locate a summer job, volunteer work, or field school that is related to your interest in anthropology.

Read Books, Browse the Web.  Find books and articles relating to the sub-disciplines of anthropology and study them to decide which one is right for you.  “Cruise around” web sites such as that of the American Anthropological Association (www.aaanet.org) to see the intellectual, research, and employment potential of the field.

Get Involved in Your Career-Development Process Early. During the first two years of college, figure out what your talents are, what your interests are, and where your talents and interests might be further developed and applied. Develop rapport with career counselors and with your anthropology professors.

 

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Should Native Americans Go Into Anthropology?

 

Anthropology covers a variety of areas relevant to Native American peoples.  Enrolling in Fort Lewis College’s anthropology program is a start in looking at a career in tribal cultural resource management (including NAGPRA coordination), language preservation, American Indian politics, and other fields of vital concern to American Indian peoples. The Anthropology curriculum offers courses that offer background information on the Native peoples across the continent (Mesoamerica, Andes, and Amazon) and here in the American Southwest.  As one former American Indian student wrote:  “Cultural preservation projects can help preserve traditional knowledge, while the work in regards to NAGPRA issues is useful in taking back ceremonial or ancestral remains throughout Indian country. Anthropologists are better about including Native Americans in their research. Native Americans have a voice in anthropological issues. One way in which Native Americans can voice their concerns on these issues is to write their own history. More Native Americans should think about a career in anthropology.”

 

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Why Can't I Major in Archaeology?

 

Archaeology, like linguistic anthropology, ethnology, and biological anthropology, is but one sub-field of the umbrella discipline of anthropology. Although one may go on to specialize more narrowly in graduate school in an archaeological, linguistic, biological, or ethnological area, the expectation (and the comprehensive exams surrounding them!) is that a professional anthropologist of whatever sub-specialty knows and understands the broader intellectual context in which the chosen specialty is imbedded. For this reason it is not possible to major in archaeology alone at the undergraduate level (nor at the graduate level at most universities in the United States). However, one may minor in archaeology or in cultural anthropology if one majors in a discipline other than anthropology.

Listed below are some of the possible minors that correlate very well with a major in Anthropology: 

  • Geology. Anyone interested in archaeology or physical anthropology would benefit greatly from having background knowledge of the earth and its processes. Geology also includes paleontology (study and identification of fossils and their correlation with geological formations), of which paleoanthropology (the study of hominid and human fossils) is a part.
  • G.I.S. (Geographic Information Systems). Another important tool in the realm of archaeology (easily considered a MUST for anyone pursuing a career in the field). 
  • History. Knowledge of history is crucial to all areas of anthropology, but is particularly important grounding for those wishing to go into historical archaeology, political economy, or ethnohistory.
  • Languages. The ability to communicate and to understand world view assumptions is central to anthropological research and fieldwork. Language ability is a highly prized tool in all sub-fields of anthropology including, though not exclusive to, linguistic anthropology. For those planning to focus on the Southwest, learning Spanish is essential, but the Modern Languages Department at Fort Lewis College is very well equipped to facilitate anyone interested in perfecting their ability in French, German, Navajo, or Japanese, as well.
  • Southwest Studies. This program is an excellent augmentation to an anthropology major for those interested in conducting research in this part of the United States. The interdisciplinary approach of Southwest Studies gives the broad background that would greatly benefit one’s overall knowledge of the area, its history, languages, cultures, economics, and geology.
  • American Indian Studies.  This is an excellent complement to anthropology as a major or minor.  See the above discussion regarding anthropology and Native Americans.
  • Gender and Women’s Studies. The study of women, gender, sexuality, and feminist theory is very important to obtaining a well-rounded background in social scientific thought. According to The Dictionary of Anthropology, “Studies of gender range broadly and include work on the origins and persistence of certain forms of sex-linked behavior, the origins and meaning of sexual stratification, and the problematic nature of gender identity.” Many.aspxects and views on each of these topics, among others, are hotly debated and are very relevant to the study of human cultures and behavioral patterns. A minor in women’s studies also provides excellent grounding for work in the fields of social service, law, and reproductive health after graduation.
  • Music. A minor or co-major in music provides the necessary grounding for pursuing a career in the growing field of ethnomusicology, or the cross-cultural study of musical systems.
  • Botany. This field is a crucial complement to anthropology if one intends to pursue a career in ethnobotany, or the study of the ways humans classify and use plants worldwide.
  • Zoology. Knowledge of animal physiology and behavior, primarily that of the primate order, is essential to developing an expertise in biological anthropology.
  • Political Science, Sociology, Economics. A complementary minor in any of the social sciences will provide an anthropology major with a broader view of the ways that systems work to frame and influence cultural practices and beliefs.

In short, there is no end to types of minors one can choose to complement and enhance the anthropology major. It only takes imagination, commitment, and desire to make the most of your college experience and to create a profile in your portfolio and on your resume that will make you an attractive candidate for graduate school and/or a career.

 

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Anthropology as a Concentration within the Humanities Major

 

At Fort Lewis College students are allowed to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in many different disciplines. One of the many options a student has is to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of humanities. The humanities degree allows the student to receive a broad understanding of many linked disciplines and how they interact with one another. Students are allowed to choose three concentrations (one is primary and two others are secondary) in fulfillment of their humanities major. For more specific information regarding the humanities degree, please consult the Fort Lewis catalog appropriate for your designated year.

 

There are numerous reasons why one might consider a concentration in anthropology when constructing a humanities degree, but the primary one relates to the fact that anthropology is inherently interdisciplinary as it incorporates history, biology, geology, economics, linguistics, philosophy, literature, and all the social sciences. By concentrating on anthropology, one has a “keystone” concentration that not only links the other concentrations and the various elements of humanities studies, but one is always encouraged to look at the ways the past and the present constantly inform one another.

 

The humanities program is sometimes seen as an appropriate direction to take for those students who are undecided or who wish to reduce the chances for “burnout” in a single, concentrated discipline. However, one must recognize that there will be a need to appreciate the methods and techniques used in many different fields, as well as the conflicting perspectives one may encounter along the way. Whatever one decides, the choice is yours!

 

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Non-Traditional Students

 

This term is used to designate those students who have taken time away from their studies to pursue job, career, or child-rearing activities before returning to college to start or finish a bachelor’s degree. A sizeable number of students in the Department of Anthropology can be classified as non-traditional because several have decided to return to college to do what many of them say is what they “always wanted to do,” which is to study a field that is fascinating and relevant to comprehending the beauty, complexity, and interdependence of the world. When one looks around a Fort Lewis College anthropology classroom one often sees students ranging in age from their teens through their sixties; the presence of such a wide range of interests and experiences only serves to enhance the educational opportunities for all.

 

If you are a non-traditional student interested in a degree in anthropology, please consult with one of the faculty members and/or with your advisor for more information. Be aware that there is a child care center on campus. If you wish to ask questions about non-traditional campus living with another non-trad student who is studying anthropology, a faculty member can easily put you in contact with someone eager to share his or her experiences with you.

 

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Transfer Students

 

Nearly half of the junior and senior anthropology majors at Fort Lewis College have transferred in from other institutions. While the college organizes special advising sessions to assist transfer students, the anthropology faculty members are aware that transfer students must approach class scheduling and financial aid in some different ways than do other students. The following are some important tips for transfer students:

  • As soon as you think you might like to transfer to Fort Lewis, obtain a college catalog and carefully study the major requirements, the general studies program, and the course descriptions.
  • Engineer your schedule as much as possible to prepare yourself for the degree directions you will pursue at FLC. This means making certain that as many of the courses you take at your college will transfer to FLC.
  • If you transfer in course credit from a junior college or a community college, it is very important to realize that NONE of these credits will count towards the 50 upper-division credits you must have to graduate from Fort Lewis. Upper-division credits are those with a number of 300 or 400, but community/junior college classes with these numbers only transfer in at the 100 or 200 level. So make certain that you sign up for as many 300 and 400 courses as you can when you transfer in to FLC.
  • Financial aid is often more difficult to obtain for transfer students as many of the FLC scholarships are designated for incoming freshmen only. Contact the financial aid office early to learn about your options in obtaining financial aid in the form of scholarships, tuition waivers, and loans. 
  • Transcripts must be sent to FLC from each of your former institutions. Make sure you get this process rolling early so that the records office at Fort Lewis can evaluate which of your courses transfers and what specific credit you can receive for these courses.
  • Work closely with your faculty advisor to make certain that you are receiving the appropriate transfer credit for your courses. It is possible to fill out a simple petition requesting that credit be received for courses the records office may have overlooked or may have been unable to “translate” into equivalent FLC courses because of differences in courses titles. The process of receiving appropriate credit will be greatly facilitated if you bring all information from previous courses you have taken.

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Innovative Coursework: Combining Anthropological Experience and Academic Credit

 

Fort Lewis College offers a variety of opportunities to earn credit towards your degree while gaining valuable experiences in the field of anthropology. There are several innovative courses available in our college curriculum that allow students to develop and pursue their individual interests in anthropology. These unique opportunities allow students to develop individual interests not addressed in the traditional curriculum and to take greater responsibility for their own education. The courses and programs of study discussed in this section span a broad range of interests and can be tailored to fit your personal academic objectives.

 

Innovative Months

These month-long courses are designed to enrich the college experience by providing the student with experience in his or her field of interest. These courses are usually available during the first summer session and involve combination of travel and course work. Innovative months are offered in a variety of departments on campus. The Department of Anthropology has traditionally hosted two of these programs. Professor Don Gordon (retired) and/or Instructor Maria Spero have offered a five-week trip to Mexico for many years, Dr. Susan Riches (retired) has offered an archaeological trip to Britain, and Dr. Phil Duke takes students to Greece every summer. Although the other innovative months on campus are not geared specifically towards anthropological study many of them can be applicable to minors associated with the field and all of them broaden the scope of a student’s academic experience.

 

Independent Study

After consulting with a faculty member, a student may sign up for either Anthropology 299 or Anthropology 499 in order to earn credits by pursuing research on a topic for which no formal course is offered in the Department of Anthropology. A student who elects to take Anth 499 must create a prospectus that outlines his or her research plan and a timeline for completion of the project, which results, usually, in a term paper of no fewer than 10 pages for one hour course credit, and no fewer than 25 pages for three credit hours of work.

 

Internship in Anthropology

Anthropology 316 provides students with the opportunity to receive course credit on the basis of a self-initiated project conducted off-campus. The Four Corners region offers an abundance of internship opportunities in anthropology with both government and private agencies such as the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Planned Parenthood, and many private archaeological firms. One student recently set up an internship with a local charter school that involved the construction of a mock archaeological site that was used for teaching middle school students the methods and ethics of archaeological research. Internships projects must be approved by the internship coordinator (the department chair), and must result in a journal and a paper that reflects upon ways that the internship experience informs and dovetails with anthropological goals and methods.

 

Teaching Assistantship

A student wishing to work as a teaching assistant must a) contact a faculty member to see if she or he can use such assistance in a course and b) sign up for the college teaching course located in the Department of Education. Teaching assistants often present lectures to classes, organize and monitor student study groups, and tutor individual students. This experience is important for helping a student decide whether or not to pursue higher education and to provide evidence to a graduate program that he or she is qualified to be a teaching assistant in graduate school.

Anthropology and Teaching Certification

 

Anthropology is a good academic major for those wishing to pursue certification in secondary education, especially for those wishing to concentrate in social studies. It is an even better choice for those seeking an ESL or bilingual education endorsement. Anthropology’s holistic approach to social and cultural realities provides a good training ground for a teacher who seeks not only to teach his or her students the historical and social contexts of the topics discussed in class, but who strives to understand the contexts that have formed the opinions, experiences, hardships, and privileges of each individual student in the classroom. Anthropological training makes one sensitive to the cultural diversity and class divisions of a classroom, and provides valuable perspectives on the sources of misunderstandings so that conflict resolution and more effective teaching can take place.

 

Anthropology and Study Abroad Programs

As an anthropology major or minor, you may find yourself interested in learning about new places, peoples, and cultures around the world. Have you ever considered taking this interest one step further, past the walls of Fort Lewis, and into a world that you have only read about? If your answer is yes, then you should consider expanding your experiences by studying abroad. For the anthropology student, the experience of study abroad can be one of the most valuable of his or her college career, as well as a memorable, life-changing experience. Travel to a foreign country can help open your eyes to the world we live in, and will provide you with the opportunity to learn or perfect languages other than English, and to become more knowledgeable about global and international issues.

At Fort Lewis there are many such opportunities waiting for you. There is a variety of exchange and innovative month programs here, most of which provide academic credit (see the section on Innovative Month programs and field schools offered by the Department of Anthropology). If you can’t find what you’re looking for here at Fort Lewis, there are hundreds of nationwide and international opportunities you may pursue for which you may be able to receive FLC credit. The options are coordinated by the International Programs Office at FLC, but you need to take the first step by asking questions and getting on the Internet to begin your search for a study abroad program that serves your academic and traveling needs. If any of this appeals to you, start planning now (and take language classes!) Seek more information by talking to your professors and by contacting the International Programs office. Study abroad is not only a valuable opportunity, it can change your life!

 

For additional information, contact: 

Susan Holgate
Coordinator Study Abroad and Exchanges International Programs
holgate_s@fortlewis.edu

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Field Schools

 

Field school offers another opportunity for a student to deepen his or her practical, methodological, and vocational expertise in anthropology.

Archaeological Field Schools

 

Field Training in Archaeology (4-8 credits). Instructor Mona Charles directs the archaeological field school at a Basketmaker III site located north of Durango, Colorado. The training program beings in mid-May and runs 6-7 weeks. Each student learns basic archaeological and survey techniques by spending five days a week in the field and two weeks in the classroom. Students learn field survey, remote sensing, excavation, recording, mapping, photography, artifact classification, field laboratory techniques, and site interpretation. At the end of the field school students write a comprehensive Excavation Unit Report, which is archived at the college. Students wishing to pursue research questions in more depth may sign up for the Advanced Laboratory course which is offered during the regular academic year. Students interested in taking this field school may fill out an application online in the spring. Students will be notified regarding acceptance in early April.

 

For more information, Mona Charles can be contacted as follows: Mona Charles, Telephone: (970) 247-7295, E-mail: charles_m@fortlewis.edu, Department of Anthropology (970) 247-7205 (fax) 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-3999.

 

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Archaeological Opportunities in the Area

 

The Southwestern United States has been the focus of archaeological investigations since the late nineteenth century. Mesa Verde National Park is only about a 30-minute drive west of Durango and is known for some of the best preserved ancient structures in the United States. Chaco Canyon National Historic Park is located about two hours south of Durango and was once the single largest Ancestral Puebloan community. Like Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Employment at these world class sites usually requires at least a bachelors degree, but internships, both paid and unpaid, are offered by many institutions near Durango, especially in the growing field of Cultural Resource Management (CRM). The best way to get your foot in the door anywhere is to volunteer as much as your schedule or budget allows. For example, the San Juan-Rio Grande National Forest is always looking for volunteers, especially students interested in archaeology and CRM work. The Forest Service encourages students to apply for numerous volunteer positions, as well as for a limited number of paid, seasonal positions. The Falls Creek Archaeological District, also located on National Forest land, lies just a few miles outside of Durango and includes more than fifty archaeological sites that span more than 2,000 years of human occupation. These sites are in constant need of monitoring and assessment. This program, in conjunction with the FLC Anthropology Club, is an excellent way to learn about the prehistory of the Durango area.

 

If you have specific interest in a certain area, ask an Anthropology faculty member or your advisor. Remember, paid positions for students are limited, but they are out there. Persistence and a positive attitude definitely pay off.

 

Some important contact number are these:

Bureau of Land Management (Durango) - 247-4082

National Forest Service (Durango) - 247-4874

Mesa Verde National Park - 529-4465

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (Cortez) - 565-8975

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Anthropology Club

 

The Anthropology Club is a group of students interested in all.aspxects of anthropology, regardless if one is an anthropology major or not.  The Anthropology Club is a good place to meet people with similar interests and to start building the professional networking skills needed to pursue jobs and advanced academic study. Getting involved in the club means that you will have a say in how student fees are spent.  More importantly, the club offers a wide variety of activities and becomes the forum for many student-generated projects such as bringing in speakers, taking trips to cultural events and archaeological sites, organizing faculty/student social events, providing scholarship opportunities, getting involved in the National Anthropology Honor Society (Lambda Alpha), joining the Department of Anthropology Student Advisory Board, and getting involved in archaeological site monitoring.

Meeting times are posted outside of the Anthropology laboratory/classroom door. Bring your ideas and curiosity to a meeting--we can use your support!

 

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Graduate School

 

If you are considering graduate school and you are not sure if it’s right for you, then ask yourself these five questions:

  • Do you have a sense of what kind of career you would like to pursue?
  • Are you a self-motivated, hard worker?
  • Are you committed to the values, methods, and ethics of anthropology?
  • Do you have an idea of research you might like to carry out?
  • Do you have at least a 3.0 in your major?

If you answered yes to all of these questions then you can be on your way to graduate school.

 

Phase 1 of 3: Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

 

There are three phases you will go through as you apply to graduate school. The first phase involves studying and taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which tests you over your mathematical, verbal, and analytical skills. As is true with most standardized tests, the GRE is more a measure of your commitment to studying than of your innate intelligence. It is nonetheless very important to start studying 3-6 months before the exam. You can buy one of number of review books and software programs that give you vocabulary terms to memorize and practice problems in math and analysis. You can take the GRE any time after your sophomore year. It is best to take it sooner rather than later as you can take it again if you are not happy with your first score.

Phase 2 of 3:  Locate and apply to schools

 

  • No later than the summer after your junior year you should begin the process of finding schools to which you would like to apply. Every school requires an application fee of around $35-$75 so you must choose carefully. There are a number of ways to go about doing this:
  • Consult the American Anthropological Association Guide to Departments of Anthropology. The FLC Department of Anthropology possesses the most recent version of this essential compendium of details about every program of anthropology in North America, including the qualifications and specialties of each faculty member teaching at any of these institutions. By looking through this book you can narrow down your choices and obtain the addresses you need to write for packets of information and application materials.
  • Conduct online research. Nearly all major universities have web sites. Most of the time you can request information and application directly from these sites, which can be accessed via a search engine (see Internet section of this handbook, below), or more simply by typing www.name of the university.edu. As you cannot always guess the abbreviation of any particular university it is probably best to use a search engine, however.
  • Talk with faculty. At any point in the process you should talk to faculty members at FLC not only to obtain their advice, but to inquire as to whether they know colleagues at any of the universities in which you have interest. Faculty members can also help you to think of places you might not have considered previously.
  • Visit the Career Services Center on campus. The staff of this office is dedicated to helping you translate your college experiences, education, and degree into something practical. Located in a small building across from the library, this office provides valuable information on graduate schools, job possibilities, resume writing, interview behavior, and other crucial.aspxects of the application of the B.A. degree to post-B.A. realities. Don’t hesitate to stop by any time you have a free moment on your hands!
  • Investigate sources of funding for graduate school study. Your chances of getting into the graduate program of your choice are greatly enhanced if you arrive with funding. The National Science Foundation is one organization that funds graduate study. Ask a faculty member or search the web for more information on this type of program.
  • Obtain experience. Your chances of getting into a graduate program are also enhanced if you arrive with certain kinds of anthropology-related experience. A year of study abroad is a good idea, especially if it is funded by a Fulbright grant after you graduate.  A stint in the Peace Corps appears on the resumes of many anthropology graduate school applicants, but any kind of internship, study abroad, or field experience is a plus.

Phase 3 of 3:  Portfolio, applications, recommendations

 

Once you have taken the GRE (or have the date lined up) and have conducted research on possible schools and granting possibilities, then you need to put together an application portfolio. Remember that graduate school admissions committee members don’t know you, and they may not have heard of Fort Lewis College. Their initial impression of you and the extent to which they would like to have you as a student (research assistant, teaching assistant, or fellow) will be based primarily on your application materials. These will usually consist of:

  • Curriculum vitae (academic resume)
  • Letter/essay of intent (sometimes including narrative biographical information)
  • Letters of recommendation (usually three)
  • Two official copies of your transcripts
  • Completed application
  • Appropriate application fee
  • GRE scores (these will get sent directly from the testing service)

Details regarding these components of your application are elaborated upon for you in the required course, Anthropology 300: Proseminar in Anthropology. You will begin to pull together your senior portfolio at that time, which will include the kinds of information necessary to apply to graduate school or to go on the job market. The Anthropology Club also provides a handout which provides details about applying to graduate school, and experienced seniors and faculty members can provide information, as well. If you choose to wait a year or two before applying to graduate school, especially if you wish to amass more funds and experience, it is essential to keep your portfolio up to date and to stay in contact with the people from whom you will request letters of recommendation.

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