College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department of Anthropology
358 Trafton Science Center N
Phone: 507-389-6504
Anthropology is the study of origins and diversity of human biology and culture. Students who complete the Masters of Science program in Applied Anthropology at Minnesota State University are competitive either for the applied professional career market or for admission to nationally recognized doctoral degree programs. Graduate work at Minnesota State University, Mankato offers students a generalist, holistic foundation in the discipline and one of the three subfields of Archaeology, Biological Anthropology or Cultural Anthropology. The program includes a series of core seminars in anthropological theory, research methods and professional practice. Electives are chosen from within the department or in a cognate field relevant to the students' professional goals.
Admission
The GRE is required. Prospective students should submit the application provided by the MSU College of Graduate Studies and Research. For the Department of Anthropology, students need to provide three letters of recommendation and write a personal statement which describes their previous training in Anthropology and reasons for pursing a graduate degree. Submit these materials to the Anthropology Graduate Coordinator. 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. Some scholarships and assistantships are available for incoming students. Advanced students can apply for adjunct teaching positions.
To Apply for Financial Assistance, complete a Graduate Assistantship Application, submit a statement about your relevant experience (if you have taught or done research, etc.) with the other materials that you send to the Department of Anthropology. You can apply for other types of financial aid (such as Federal work-study or loans) through the Office of Financial Aid.
Comprehensive Exam Policy
All students are required to take a written comprehensive exam during or following the semester in which the core theory seminar courses are completed. The exam will consist of four essay questions submitted by the department faculty in two areas: 1) a special area of concentration selected by the student, and 2) general anthropological history and theory in physical anthropology, archaeology and ethnology. These exams will be graded independently by all members of the anthropology faculty, and the results will be summarized by the graduate coordinator. Students may pass or fail any question. Failed questions may be repeated only once. A student must pass all questions to continue in the program.
Thesis Policy
Students are required to complete a thesis as part of the degree program. The Department of Anthropology follows the basic guidelines found in the Minnesota State University, Mankato Graduate Studies Bulletin. Prior to commencing work on the thesis a student must present a thesis proposal to the examining committee. This proposal should be complete and presented to the student's committee no later than the end of the eighth week of the semester prior to commencing the thesis project. The student will present an oral defense of the thesis to the examining committee at least two weeks prior to the end of fall or spring semester. No thesis defense can be scheduled during the summer.
Anthropology MS
(Thesis - 30 credits)
Required core (18-21 credits)
- ANTH 601 – Seminar (6)
- ANTH 602 – Seminar: Research Methods (3)
- ANTH 603 – Practicing Anthropology (3)
- ANTH 697 – Internship (3)
- ANTH 699 – Thesis (3-6)
Electives (9-12 credits)
In consultation with an advisor, choose credits from the list of Anthropology courses below or choose one or more courses or seminars in a related field as appropriate to your career goals. In accordance with the Graduate College policies, at least one half of the credits earned for the Master's degree must be from courses at the 600 level. Also, no more than 10 credits earned as individual study, fieldwork, internship, or laboratory can be applied to the total elective course credit for the Master's degree.
- ANTH 510 – Archaeology of Minnesota (3)
- ANTH 511 – Archaeology of North America (3)
- ANTH 512 – Archaeology of Latin America (3)
- ANTH 514 – Museology (3)
- ANTH 515 – Cultural Resource Management (3)
- ANTH 520 – Human Osteology (3)
- ANTH 521 – Health, Culture and Disease (3)
- ANTH 522 – Forensic Anthropology (3)
- ANTH 523 – Evolution and Behavior (3)
- ANTH 530 – Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (3)
- ANTH 531 – Applied Cultural Research (3)
- ANTH 532 – Kinship, Marriage, and Family (3)
- ANTH 533 – Anthropology of Gender (3)
- ANTH 534 – Ethnographic Classics (3)
- ANTH 535 – Origins of Civilization (3)
- ANTH 536 – Anthropology of Aging (3)
- ANTH 537 – Applied Anthropology (3)
- ANTH 538 – Anthropological Theory (3)
- ANTH 539 – Qualitative Research Methods (3)
- ANTH 580 – Fieldwork: Archaeology/ Ethnology* (3-6)
- ANTH 585 – Topics in Anthropology (1-3)
- ANTH 586 – Workshop (variable subtitle) (1-3)
- ANTH 591 – Archaeology Laboratory* (1-3)
- ANTH 592 – Biological Anthropology Laboratory (1-3)
- ANTH 593 – Ethnology Lab* (1-3)
- ANTH 604 – Seminar in Advanced Topics (Variable topic, may be taken more than once) (3)
- ANTH 677 – Individual Study* (1-6)
Five to seventeen credits may be chosen from this list; up to 10 can be chosen from a related field as appropriate to the student's plan of study.
*No more than 10 credits can be earned from this group.
Course Descriptions
ANTH 510 (3) Archaeology of Minnesota
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or 210/310 or permission of instructor
ANTH 511 (3) Archaeology of Native North America
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 102, or 210/310, or permission of instructor
ANTH 512 (3) Archaeology of Latin America
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 102, or 210/310, or permission of instructor
ANTH 514 (3) Museology
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.
ANTH 515 (3) Cultural Resource Management
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.
ANTH 520 (3) Human Osteology
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 220, 221, 320, and 321 or permission of instructor
ANTH 521 (3) Health, Culture, & Disease
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 220, or permission of instructor
ANTH 522 (3) Forensic Anthropology
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.
ANTH 523 (3) Evolution and Behavior
An examination of the biological basis of human behavior and organization from an evolutionary perspective. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or 220 or consent.
ANTH 530 (3) Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
The contemporary peoples and cultures of Mexico and Central and South America. Emphasis is on cultural patterns and contemporary issues of the region.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230/330, or permission of instructor
ANTH 531 (3) Applied Cultural Research
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230/330, or permission of instructor
ANTH 532 (3) Kinship, Marriage, and Family
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.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230/330, or permission of instructor
ANTH 533 (3) Anthropology of Gender
Major anthropological theories of gender relations are read, discussed, and applied to a variety of contemporary ethnographic case studies.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230/330, or permission of instructor
ANTH 534 (3) Ethnographic Classics
This course provides an opportunity for students to examine several of the "classic" ethnographies not used in regular course offerings. A different group of ethnographies will be used each year and students may register for the course as many times as they wish.
ANTH 535 (3) Origins of Civilization
The conditions which led to the evolution of complex societies and the ramifications of the continuing processes are the focus of this course.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230/330, or permission of instructor
ANTH 536 (3) Anthropology of Aging
An evolutionary and cross-cultural examination of the aging process, status, and treatment of the elderly.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 230/330, or 220/230, or permission of instructor
ANTH 537 (3) Applied Anthropology
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.
ANTH 538 (3) Anthropological Theory
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.
ANTH 539 (3) Qualitative Research Methods
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.
ANTH 580 (3-6) Fieldwork: Archaeology/Ethnology
Field experience in which method and theory are learned through participation in and on-going field project.
Prerequisite: one of the following: ANTH 101, 103, 102, 210/310, or 220/320, or permission of instructor
ANTH 585 (1-3) Topics in Anthropology
This course allows faculty the flexibility to consider the challenges of 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.
ANTH 586 (1-3) Workshop
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.
Prerequisite: depends on topic and instructor
ANTH 591 (1-3) Archaeology Laboratory
An introduction to archaeological laboratory techniques and museological practice, through participation in the various processes involved.
ANTH 592 (1-3) Anthropology Laboratory
Guided advanced laboratory work in biological/physical anthropology.
Prerequisite: ANTH 221 and 321, or permission of instructor
ANTH 593 (1-3) Ethnology Lab
Individual projects are done in close coordination with faculty member. Prerequisite: permission of instructor
ANTH 601 (3) Seminar
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. This course is often taught as a two semester sequence.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
ANTH 602 (3) Seminar: Research Methods
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.
ANTH 603 (3) Practicing Anthropology
An advanced seminar examining the ways anthropologists practice 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.
ANTH 604 (1-3) Seminar: Advanced Topics
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.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
ANTH 677 (1-6) Individual Study
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
ANTH 697 (1-12) Internship
Practical field experience, usually under the supervision of some off-campus professional
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
ANTH 699 (3-6) Thesis
Preparation on the master's thesis
Prerequisite: permission of instructor