| Convener: Susan Hangen Faculty: Clifford E. Peterson |
About the Major
Anthropology supports the multicultural, international, experiential and interdisciplinary educational philosophy of Ramapo College. As such, Anthropology courses constitute a major component of the General Education program, besides serving the Anthropology minor. All anthropology courses count towards the International Studies major as well.
Anthropology courses at Ramapo are concentrated in cultural anthropology, the sub-discipline of anthropology that emphasizes the role of culture in human life, and analyzes social and cultural differences and similarities throughout the world. By studying this field, students will become familiar with the diversity of cultural practices in the world, and the effects of global economic and political forces on the lives of people throughout the world.
In addition to Introduction to Anthropology, students take two "Peoples and Cultures" courses that teach them about a world area, such as World Cultures, Peoples and Cultures of Asia, Native Americans, or Music and Dance in the African Diaspora. Students also take two courses that teach them about theoretical and thematic approaches to the study of anthropology, such as Religion in Cross Cultural Perspective, Urban Anthropology, International Migration, or Anthropology of Gender. In many courses, experiential learning is an integral part of the coursework, as students are required to complete fieldwork assignments.
Anthropology is offered as a minor of five courses (20 credits). Students who are interested in graduate study in anthropology can be further trained through independent study. An Anthropology minor can enrich the multicultural and international dimensions of a student's academic training, and is an excellent complement to a major in International Studies, Sociology, and a variety of other majors.
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