Anthropology Minor

The Sociology and Anthropology Department offers an undergraduate Minor in Anthropology to all students matriculated in a baccalaureate degree program at Farmingdale State College. Students who opt to complete a minor in Anthropology must apply through the Sociology and Anthropology Department.

The discipline of Anthropology provides students with the tools and perspectives necessary for understanding how humans and their cultures have developed and most critically, how we continue to develop and change our cultures and societies. The fundamental concepts, theories, and research methodologies of Anthropology provide students with useful tools for understanding human cultures and the various social institutions in which we all participate, enabling them to meet the many challenges of living and working in what has been termed “the glocal community.”

The Anthropology Minor consists of 15 credits in Anthropology, adjustable to suit the interests of the individual student, with the approval of their Anthropology Advisor and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.. At least nine of the credits must be in advanced courses in Anthropology at the 200 level or higher. Students enrolled in the Anthropology Minor must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their Anthropology courses.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of how evolution works and genetic processes.  In particular, students will be able to explain broad outlines of human evolution, including comparison with other primates. 
  • Students will have an understanding of processes and debates about what has been called civilization, including domestication of plants and animals; agricultural origins and possible consequences; settled village and urban life; and state formation.
  • Students will be familiar with four field anthropology, and from that, they will be able to explain the basic methods of each field, e.g. how archaeologists analyze and interpret artifacts and how material culture interacts with attitudes and beliefs.
  • Students will understand what cultural relativity means within anthropology and develop appreciation for cultural explanations of human difference.
  • Students will understand the development of important social constructs/categories such as “race” and gender categories.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of how anthropologists conduct fieldwork, including ethnographic techniques, analysis, and writing.
  • Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing anthropological interventions on contemporary issues like immigration or racism.

About Academic Minors

Farmingdale State College students are invited to enhance their studies with an "Academic Minor." A minor is a cluster of thematically related courses drawn from one or more departments. In addition to department based minors (e.g. computer programming & info systems), interdisciplinary minors are also available (e.g. legal studies).

Academic minors are approved by the College-Wide Curriculum Committee and the Provost. Students must make application for an academic minor through the department offering the minor in conjunction with the Registrar's Office Specific course work must be determined in consultation with a faculty member in the department offering the minor. A statement of successful completion of the academic minor will appear on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

  • A minor is considered to be an optional supplement to a student's major program of study.
  • Completion of a minor is not a graduation requirement and is subject to the availability of the courses selected. However, if the requirements for a minor are not completed prior to certification of graduation in the major, it will be assumed that the minor has been dropped. Consequently, the student will only be certified for graduation in their primary major.
  • Only students in 4 year baccalaureate programs can apply for a minor.
  • A minor should consist of 15 to 21 credits.
  • At least 12 credits must be in courses at the 200 level or higher.
  • At least 9 credits must be residency credits.
  • Specific requirements for each minor are determined by the department granting the minor. 
  • Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in their minor.  Some minors may require a higher GPA.
  • Students are prohibited from declaring a minor in the same discipline as their major (e.g. one cannot combine an applied math minor with an applied math major). Academic minors may not apply to all curricula.
  • Students are permitted to double-count courses.
  • Students are only permitted to take more than one minor with appropriate written approval of their department chair or curriculum Dean.

Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Sociology and Anthropology | Dr. Matthew Brown | sociologyandanthropology@farmingdale.edu | 934-420-6379

Fall 2023

Subject to revision

Core: (3 Credits)
ANT 100 Introduction to Anthropology 3

OR

ANT 120 Introduction to Archaeology 3

General Anthropology Courses: (12 Credits)
(9 of which must be 200 level or higher)
ANT 110 Sociocultural Anthropology 3
ANT 130 North American Indians 3
ANT 210 Modern Anthropology and Globalization 3
ANT 211 Caribbean Cultures 3
ANT 212 Introduction to Medical Anthropology 3
ANT 220-229 Special Topics in Anthropology 3
ANT 240 Women, Men, and Social Change 3
ANT 250 Forensic Anthropology 3
ANT 320-329 Advanced Topics in Anthropology 3
ANT 360 Anthropological Theory 3
ANT 366 Anthropological Research Methods 3
RAM 303 Research Experience 3

Curriculum Summary

Total Required Credits: 15

Notes:
Students who plan eventually to major in Anthropology should be advised by an Anthropology faculty member and are encouraged to take a Modern Language; Statistics (MTH 110); SOC 122. Study abroad is recommended. Other courses relevant to the specific interests of Anthropology students might include: BIO 123, 130; 166/170, 193, 197, 210; CON 103; CRJ 201, 203; HIS 213, 215, 216, or 240; MLG 305-308; PCM 425, 426; POL 110; SOC 220, 225, 228-263
Printed on 4/19/24

2350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021

934-420-2000

farmingdale.edu

ANT 100 Introduction to Anthropology

Anthropology is the scientific study of human-kind. This course offers an introduction to its four major sub-fields, namely; Physical or Biological anthropology (human evolution, the fossil record, ethology); Archaeology (extinct cultures, classical civilizations, pre-history); Linguistics (language origins, development, diffusion, structure, and change); Sociocultural Anthropology (pioneers in the field, cross-cultural research, case studies, and the future). By focusing on the broad cultural implications and complexities of social communication and interaction, anthropology seeks to understand the whole human experience.

ANT 120 Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of the cultural evolution of humankind using the material remains of past human behavior. This course introduces the methods, logic and history of archaeology through an examination of several ancient civilizations as understood through their architecture and artifacts. Topics include theoretical issues, fieldwork, and interpretation of artifacts and reconstruction of past cultural patterns. Examples will be drawn from such cities and civilizations as Mesopotamia, Crete, Troy, Ancient Egypt, Pompeii, and North and South America. Students will visit at least one relevant site, exhibit or museum as a course requirement.

ANT 110 Sociocultural Anthropology

Sociocultural Anthropology is concerned with examination of the social and cultural similarities and differences in the world's human populations. Subsistence patterns, social organization, economic structures, political systems, religion and creative behavior are the major areas we cover. By examining examples ranging from small gathering and hunting groups to large modern day communities, this course provides a broad perspective of the sociocultural realities of our world. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for ANT 110 and ANT 110*D ANT 110*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.

ANT 130 Indigenous Peoples of North America

This course provides a comprehensive history of the human groups who populated North America before, during and after settler-colonialists brought the culture, politics and economics of Europe to North America. Students will be introduced to the anthropological literature concerned with the study and understanding of Indigenous cultures and societies. Students will learn about the dynamic Indigenous heritages, languages, knowledge, technology, arts, and values that have been passed on through the generations. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for ANT 130 and ANT 130*D ANT 130*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.

ANT 210 Modern Anthropology and Globalization

Cultural change and the social processes involved are major areas of cultural anthropological research. By introducing students to the application of anthropological methodologies such as field work and cross-cultural comparison, the course examines some of the major issues which confront human beings in a complex rapidly growing and changing world including: globalization, migration and immigration, population changes, social conflict, agricultural/technological development, nutrition, commodity/cultural exchange, and the future of small scale homogeneous societies. Prerequisite(s): Any 100 level social science or business course.

ANT 211 Caribbean Cultures

This course covers: pre-European cultures in the Caribbean, the post-Columbus plantation system, contemporary economics and politics, community structure, religion, marriage and family, ethnic diversity, immigration and the arts. An in-depth study of these topics will provide knowledge, understanding and appreciation of this region while offering insights into the development of communities in the U.S. with Caribbean heritage. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for ANT 211 and ANT 211*D ANT 211*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.

ANT 212 Introduction to Medical Anthropology

Medical Anthropology is a subfield of Anthropology that draws upon social, cultural, biological, and linguistic anthropology to better understand those factors which influence health and well being (broadly defined), the experience and distribution of illness, the prevention and treatment of sickness, healing processes, the social relations of therapy management, and the cultural importance and utilization of pluralistic medical systems. (SMA) This course introduces students to the subject and basic methods used in cross-cultural comparisons and research, as well as providing a better understanding of Western and non-Western perceptions and treatments of the body and health issues. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101, ANT 100 or SOC 122 or SOC 228 or BIO with lab

ANT 220 Special Topics in Anthropology

Courses that range from 220-229 are special topics courses. This course provides the opportunity to study, explore, examine and analyze areas of special, short-term interest in anthropology. Each topic builds on knowledge learned in the 100 level courses. Prerequisite(s): ANT 100 or 110 or SOC 122

ANT 240 Gender and Social Change

This course studies men's and women's changing roles, relationships, and participation in the labor force both cross-culturally and historically. We give special emphasis to those changes which occur as technology changes. A major part of the course concerns how and why today's women and men arrive at their social, economic, political and legal statuses. Note: Students completing this course may not receive credit for SOC 240.

ANT 250 Forensic Anthropology

This course provides a broad overview of Forensic Anthropology- an applied field within Anthropology- dealing with the osteological (skeletal anatomy and biology) analysis of human remains. We will employ and discuss scientific methods used to explore and a broad range of problems associated with identification and trauma analysis using data gathering methods such as: characteristics of the human skeleton; identification of ancestry, age, sex; recovery methods; use of appropriate technologies for analysis, including DNA. Prerequisite(s):Any BIO with lab and ANT 100 or ANT 110 or SOC 122

ANT 320 Advanced Topics in Anthropology

Courses that range from 320-329 are special topics courses. This course offers students the chance to study short term topics of specialized, more advanced areas of anthropology. Each topic builds and expands on information learned in introductory courses. This course is particularly recommended to students in the Anthropology Minor program, but is open to other interested students who meet the prerequisites. Prerequisite(s): ANT 100 or ANT 110 or ANT 120 and one 200 level ANT course

ANT 360 Anthropological Theory

This course explores the broad historical outline of major theoretical approaches in the field of Anthropology, from the late 19th century to the present. Debates within the discipline and the larger historical, cultural and intellectual contexts in which they were produced, will be examined, as will the enduring relevance of these theories. The course includes reading and critical analysis of texts, as well as class discussions. Prerequisite(s): (ANT 100 or ANT 110), EGL 102, any 200 level ANT course. All with a grade of C or higher.

ANT 366 Anthropological Research Methods

This course focuses on research methods in anthropology as the means for learning ethnographic research methods and how to talk and write about culture, as a basis of anthropological research. The purpose of the course is to gain experience in ethnographic practices, including interviewing, fieldwork research, qualitative analysis, and writing critically informed accounts. Prerequisite(s): (ANT 100 or ANT 110), EGL 102 and any 200 level ANT course. All with a grade of C or higher.

RAM 303 Research Experience

This hands-on research experience with a faculty mentor is the culminating experience for students enrolled in the Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program. Students will be placed in research experiences on the Farmingdale Campus or off-campus in major universities, research laboratories, businesses, industry, government, horticultural gardens, and other settings that fit their academic interests and career goals.
Last Modified 2/13/24