Program: BAARCHA - Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
Anthropologists (including specialists in archaeology) are scientists who investigate human diversity in the past and present. Today’s anthropologists are interested in applying insights from the study of human cultural, biological, and linguistic diversity and change to contribute to contemporary local and global issues. Our graduates are trained in critical thinking, pattern recognition, problem solving, qualitative and quantitative analysis, science communication, and intercultural interaction.
In the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, the Anthropology/Archaeology program fosters a vision of our discipline that is socially merciful, globally responsible, compassionately hospitable, intellectually creative, and reflectively aware. We seek to train anthropologists who are “ambassadors of service.” Consequently, much of our coursework and mentorship focuses on public engagement, ethical practice, and the development of a reflexive professional identity for each student.
Job diversity is a hallmark of careers in anthropology. Anthropologists work not just in exotic field locations but urban settings, corporate firms, museums, government jobs, law enforcement, non-profits, and a wide range of social- and community-focused arenas. Our program offers several opportunities to explore this range of careers and to select a path that matches a student’s interests.
Mercyhurst University’s program in Anthropology/Archaeology is characterized by hands-on training in current field and laboratory methods and theory with highly individualized mentoring. We prepare students to contribute to research studies and become leaders in their field.
Anthropology is a broad field that integrates with other disciplines. Our flexible curriculum allows students to take courses from other units on campus (e.g., Applied Forensic Sciences, Biology, Communication, Environmental Science, Geology, Public Health, or History) to obtain training more specific to the anthropological career path(s) they wish to pursue. Our students not only take courses from other programs, many choose to pursue minors or to double-major in these subject areas. Our program is designed to facilitate and encourage this kind of cross-training, allowing our students to graduate with a broader set of knowledge and skills.
The program in Anthropology/Archaeology offers courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Anthropology/Archaeology. Students may follow a general B.A. course of study or specialize with an Archaeology concentration.
Mission Statement
Our department is committed to the education and training of the next generation of Anthropologists and Archaeologists. As a four-field discipline concerned with the cultural and biological expressions of humanity past and present, Anthropology is a diverse endeavor characterized by approaches and methodologies drawn from both the sciences and the humanities. Therefore, a wide range of core information, concepts, methodologies, as well as the ability to mobilize these resources critically and independently, form the skill set that we strive to impart to our students.
Anthropology/Archaeology Minor (minimum 18 credits)
Choose two:
ANTH 107 Language and Culture - 3 Credits
ANTH 112 World Cultures - 3 Credits
ANTH 120/121 Physical Anthropology and Lab - 4 Credits
ANTH 130/131 Archaeology and Lab - 4 Credits
Choose two additional ANTH courses above at any level.
Choose two additional ANTH courses numbered 200 or above.
All Anthropology/Archaeology students complete 9 required “Anthropology Core” courses (29 credits); a set of “Experiential Learning” courses, including an internship or independent research experience (7-8 credits); a selection of “Anthropology Electives,” numbered 200 or above (12 credits); and a set of “Cognate Electives” completed in other academic units on campus (9 credits).
Students who pursue the Archaeology Concentration are a bit more limited in their choices of Anthropology and Cognate Electives. They complete a slightly higher number of credit hours than those on the general B.A. track (63-64 credits in the major vs. 57-58 credits). This difference reflects a greater emphasis on archaeological laboratory skills and the requirement of specific cognate courses in statistics and geology.
All Anthropology/Archaeology majors must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and a 2.75 GPA in Anthropology/Archaeology major courses. The faculty recommend that students repeat courses with grades of D, especially if the class is required for the major. Required courses receiving an F course grade will have to be repeated.
Students’ academic progress, as well as the degree to which they demonstrate development of the Program Student Learning Outcomes, is evaluated in the spring semester of the sophomore year. This Sophomore/Academic Review is a gateway to starting the final portfolio project that completes a student’s time at Mercyhurst. Students and members of the faculty and staff in Anthropology/Archaeology work together to complete this evaluation. Those identified as “at risk” are helped to design an Academic Success Plan for future semesters. Progress on this success plan is reevaluated in the spring semester of the student’s junior year.
Students failing to achieve the minimum GPA or otherwise complete the Anthropology/Archaeology B.A. may receive a B.A. degree in General Anthropology Studies.
Required for all
In consultation with advisors, choose one (1) of the following Laboratory Analysis courses:
AND
STAT ANY STATISTICS COURSE
Choose two (2) courses with ANTH prefix numbered above 200.
Cognate Courses - Choose one (1) of the following. Some courses may require prerequisites and/or a lab.
Courses | |
---|---|
ART 106 PHOTOGRAPHY I | 3 |
ART 122 ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL | 3 |
ART 123 ART HISTORY:RENAISSANCE TO MODERN | 3 |
BIO 120 HUMAN BIOLOGY | 3 |
BIO 121 HUMAN BIOLOGY LAB | 1 |
BIO 142 CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIO | 3 |
BIO 143 CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIO LAB | 1 |
BIO 146 ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORGANISMS | 3 |
BIO 147 ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORG LAB | 1 |
BIO 216 PLANTS AND PEOPLE | 3 |
BIO 310 GENETICS | 3 |
BIO 311 GENETICS LAB | 1 |
CIS 150 INTRO TO DATA SCIENCE | 3 |
CIS 280 DATA VISUALIZATION & COMMUNICATION | 3 |
COM 240 DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION I | 3 |
COM 261 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS | 3 |
COM 352 MULTIMEDIA WRITING | 3 |
GEOL 100 DYNAMIC EARTH | 3 |
GEOL 102 DYNAMIC EARTH LAB | 1 |
GEOL 215 GEOMORPHOLOGY | 3 |
GEOL 216 GEOMORPHOLOGY LAB | 1 |
GEOL 306 SOILS | 3 |
GEOL 307 SOILS LAB | 1 |
GEOL 342 SEDIMENTOLOGY&STRATIGRAPHY | 3 |
GEOL 343 SEDIMENTOLOGY & STRATIGRAPHY LAB | 1 |
GEOL 370 DENDROCHRONOLOGY | 3 |
GEOL 380 PRIN OF REMOTE SENSING | 3 |
GEOL 381 PRINCIPLES OF REMOTE SENSING LAB | 1 |
GEOL 430 GEOARCHAEOLOGY | 3 |
GEOL 431 GEOARCHAEOLOGY LAB | 1 |
GEOL 440 INTRODUCTION TO GIS | 3 |
GEOL 441 INTRODUCTION TO GIS LAB | 1 |
HIS 235 INTRO PUBLIC HISTORY & MUSEUM STUDIES | 3 |
HIS 236 INTRO TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION | 3 |
HIS 240 MUSEUM STUDIES II | 3 |
MUS 100 MUSIC IN SOCIETY | 3 |
PSYC 231 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
PSYC 233 CROSS-CULTURAL PSYC | 3 |
PUBH 201 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
PUBH 211 GLOBAL HEALTH | 3 |
PUBH 290 SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | 3 |
STAT 109 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS | 3 |
STAT 120 STATISTICS FOR RESEARCH | 3 |
STAT 135 BUSINESS STATISTICS I | 3 |
WL 314 INTRO TO SOCIOLINGUISTICS | 3 |