Major (B.A.)
Required Courses
Total Credits: 31 – These include four required courses (13 credits) and 18 credits of electives (normally six courses). The student must earn a grade of a “C” or better in all courses that count toward the major. Pass/Fail courses do not count toward the major. At least 16 major credits must be taken at UMBC (including ANTH 211).
Core Requirements
ANTH 211: Cultural Anthropology (3.00)
SOCY 300: Methodology of Social Research (3.00)*
ANTH 400: Anthropological Theory (3.00)
ANTH 480: Anthropological Research: Capstone (3.00)
Prerequisites
∗MATH GEP with a C or better (recommend STAT 121)
Students are strongly encouraged to take all advanced required courses (SOCY 300, ANTH 400, and ANTH 480) before their last semester at UMBC. These courses should be taken at UMBC.
Elective Requirements
Students must also complete eighteen additional credits of anthropology or sociology with a grade of “C” or better. A maximum of six credits in sociology may count toward this requirement. In addition, a minimum of twelve of these credits must be 300 level or above. SOCY 396 and courses that are Pass/Fail may not be counted toward this requirement. A maximum of 6 credits can be independent study.
Please refer to the UMBC Undergraduate Catalog for further information on the course description and prerequisites for the courses.
Track Your Progress
Transfer Credits
Students must take at least 16 credits of Anthropology courses at UMBC to qualify for the major. Students must take ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology at UMBC. Credit for a lower-level social sciences or culture general education requirement may be granted for a transferred Cultural Anthropology course, and may count as a lower-level elective toward an ANTH or SOCY degree, but will not replace the requirement for ANTH 211 at UMBC. Courses taken at other colleges are first examined by the Registrar’s Office for approval for UMBC credit. The department will then determine if a course can count toward the major. Approval of sociology or anthropology courses taken elsewhere for UMBC credit by the registrar does not automatically give it credit towards the major or minor in anthropology.
If a student plans to take a class at another college, they should first discuss it with the Registrar and their advisor to be sure that the courses will receive credit towards the anthropology major or minor at UMBC. Never take the equivalent of SOCY 300, ANTH 400 or ANTH 480 at another college without your advisor’s prior approval. Courses in social service, social work, criminal justice, or religion are not sociology or anthropology courses and will not be given credit.
Please refer to the Registrar’s Office for forms and further information on transferring credits.
Minor
Required Courses
Total Credits: 18 – The minor in Anthropology consists of ANTH 211 and 15 credits in elective anthropology courses. A maximum of three credits in Sociology can count as elective credits. At least six of these credits must be at the 300-level or above, and at least nine credits must be taken at UMBC. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.