Anthropology: Environmental Anthropology, BA
Anthropology is the global social science. It is the study of the human condition everywhere; its cultural, linguistic, and biological diversity; and how it evolved and developed from the prehistoric past into the globalizing present. Anthropology is an interdisciplinary 14 credit major that intersects with programs and departments across the University. Students may major in anthropology as a whole (General Anthropology), or choose to concentrate in Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology, or specialize in two thematic concentrations: Medical Anthropology and Environmental Anthropology.
Environmental Anthropology is a thematic concentration that investigates how human societies create and change geologies and climates up to a planetary scale, and the ways that anthropologists have questioned the division between cultures and nature. Students may choose to study topics from contemporary society to the impact of environmental change over long spans of time. Students have the opportunity to do original fieldwork, engage in research with the collections of the Penn Museum and the resources of the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM) and study abroad. After they fulfill the foundational course requirements in anthropology, students take three distribution electives from the four themes of Political Ecology, Science Technology and the Environment, Material Worlds, Landscapes and Archaeology; and Biology, Environment and Health.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 34. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/anthropology/
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Block I: Introductory courses | ||
| ANTH 0020 | Anthropology, Race, and the Making of the Modern World | 1 |
| or ANTH 0040 | The Modern World and Its Cultural Background | |
| ANTH 0050 | Great Transformations | 1 |
| or ANTH 1480 | Food and Fire: Archaeology in the Laboratory | |
| ANTH 0030 | Human Origins, Evolution and Diversity | 1 |
| Block II | ||
| Select 3 Foundation courses: 2 | 3 | |
| Block III | ||
| Select 2 courses from the approved list: 3 | 2 | |
| Select 2 course units in Anthropology: | 2 | |
| Select 3 Anthropology or Anthropology-related courses in another department 3 | 3 | |
| Capstone Seminar | ||
| ANTH 4000 | Research Seminar in Anthropology | 1 |
| Total Course Units | 34 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
Foundation courses are drawn from at least 3 of the 4 elective groups:
- Political Ecology
- Science, Technology, Environment
- Material Worlds, Landscapes, Archaeology
- Biology, Environment, and Health
- 3
Up to 3 of these, non-ANTH courses with anthropological content may be requested. All non-ANTH courses must be approved by the Undergraduate Program coordinator.
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the Major and write a senior thesis.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.