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Anthropology Pathways
Click on each anthropology pathway to see the recommended quarter-by-quarter classes and other recommendations.
These pathways assume:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you for a university major in cultural or linguistic anthropology or archaeology. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits)
Communication (5 credits): a CMST course with "OC" at the end of the course description
MATH& 146 Intro to statistics (5 credits) (preferred)
or another 100-level MATH course (5 credits)
or PHIL& 117 Traditional logic (5 credits)
If you're not ready for 100-level math or math-oriented logic, start the math sequence leading to it.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area of study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
- Learn about anthropology careers as part of ANTH& 206.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
ANTH& 200 Introduction to language (5 credits)
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Compare the different anthropology majors at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea (5 credits)
or another Social Science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description, but not an ANTH course
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
- Interview or job-shadow practicing anthropologists. Check with your instructors for possible contacts.
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4 (13-17 credits)
ANTH elective (5 credits)
GEOL 211 Physical geology (5 credits)
or another Science (5 credits): a physical or biological science course with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description, but not an ANTH course
Take GEOL 211 if your interest is in archaeology.
ENGL&230 Technical writing (3 credits)
or ENGL& 235 Technical writing (5 credits)
or another 200-level English course with "CC" at the end of the course description (5 credits)
Optional:
Learning contract (2 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor
or Internship (2 credits): work-based learning
Career exploration:
- Take advantage of a learning contract or internship for research or hands-on experience in your field.
- Listen to podcasts about anthropology or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
ANTH elective (5 credits)
ANTH elective (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Action items:
- Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
ANTH elective (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Math/Science: a course with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description, but not an ANTH course. It can be a science, an additional 100-level math, or a programming course.
If your interest is archaeology and GEOL 212 is being offered this quarter, take it.
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indians of North America
or ANTH& 216 Northwest coast Indians - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
Social Sciences
- To prepare for a Salish Sea minor at Western Washington University, or if you want to experience a place-based multidisciplinary course looking at the region we call home
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- Courses that introduce you to other social sciences that may overlap with anthropology
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- GEOG& 100 Intro to geography
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- GEOG& 102 World regional geography
- GEOG& 200 Human geography
- GEOG 243 Urban geography
- GEOG& 250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- HIST& 127 World civilizations II
- HIST& 128 World civilizations III
- HIST 158 Religions of the Far East
- HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest history
- HIST 225 History of the modern Middle East
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- POLS& 203 International relations
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues
Sciences and Math
- For archaeology, majors geology is strongly recommended
- GEOL 211 Physical geology
- GEOL 212 Historical geology (offered every two years in the spring)
- Courses that introduce you to various science disciplines
- ASTR& 100 Survey of astronomy
- BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (lab)
- CHEM& 121 Intro to chemistry (lab)
- GEOL 100 Intro to earth science (lab)
- GEOL& 101 Intro to physical geology (lab)
- OCEA& 101 Intro to oceanography (lab)
- PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (lab)
- PHYSC 104 Finding things out: energy (lab)
- Courses that touch on human interactions with the natural world
- BIOL 159 Marine biology (lab)
- ENVS& 100 Survey of environmental science
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science (lab)
- GEOL 110 Environmental geology
- GEOL 140 Natural disasters (lab)
- NUTR& 101 Nutrition
- Courses in math, statistics and computer science.
Note: only one can count in the science category, and it can't be the same one you took in Quarter 1 for a math/logic course.- CS& 141 Computer science I - Java
- MATH& 107 Math in society
- MATH& 146 Intro to statistics
This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you for a university major in biocultural anthropology. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
If your math placement is higher than MATH& 141, take that instead. Consider taking MATH& 146 as preparation for statistical analysis in anthropology.
If you're not ready for MATH& 141, start the math sequence leading to it. Talk with your advisor about when you'll take chemistry and biology.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build a degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits)
CHEM& 161 General chemistry with lab I (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Compare the different anthropology majors at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
CHEM& 162 General chemistry with lab II (5 credits)
Communication (5 credits): a CMST course with "OC" at the end of the course description
SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea (5 credits)
or another Social Science: a course with "SS" at the end of the course description, but not an ANTH course
Career exploration:
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Interview or job-shadow practicing anthropologists. Check with your instructors for possible contacts.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
CHEM& 163 General chemistry with lab III (5 credits)
BIOL& 221 Majors biology - ecology/evolution (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in CHEM& 163.
- Listen to podcasts about biology or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
ANTH& 200 Introduction to language (5 credits)
BIOL& 222 Majors biology - cell/molecular (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description; if your previous humanities courses were both in the same department, choose a different department
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action items:
- Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
BIOL& 223 Majors biology - organismal/physiology (5 credits)
ENGL&230 Technical writing (3 credits)
or ENGL& 235 Technical writing (5 credits)
or another 200-level English course with "CC" at the end of the course description (5 credits)
Optional:
Learning contract (2 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor
or Internship (2 credits): work-based learning
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
- Take advantage of a learning contract or internship for research or hands-on experience in your field.
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits; must supplement with 2-credit humanities learning contract)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
Social Sciences
- To prepare for a Salish Sea minor at Western Washington University, or if you want to experience a place-based multidisciplinary course looking at the region we call home
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- Courses that introduce you to other social sciences that may overlap with anthropology
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- GEOG& 100 Intro to geography
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- GEOG& 102 World regional geography
- GEOG& 200 Human geography
- GEOG 243 Urban geography
- GEOG& 250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- HIST& 127 World civilizations II
- HIST& 128 World civilizations III
- HIST 158 Religions of the Far East
- HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest history
- HIST 225 History of the modern Middle East
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- POLS& 203 International relations
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues
This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AS-T degree for biology and prepares you for a major in Anthropology/Biology (BA) or Biology/Anthropology (BS) at Western Washington University. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 141 Precalculus I or MATH& 142 Precalculus II.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
If your math placement is MATH& 142, take that instead. Talk with your advisor about adjusting the pathway to match.
If you're not ready for MATH&141, start the math sequence leading to it. Talk with your advisor about when you'll take chemistry and biology.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build a degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits)
CHEM& 161 General chemistry with lab I (5 credits)
MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Compare the different majors that combine anthropology and biology at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
CHEM& 162 General chemistry with lab II (5 credits)
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
CHEM& 163 General chemistry with lab III (5 credits)
BIOL& 221 Majors biology - ecology/evolution (5 credits)
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in CHEM& 163.
- Listen to podcasts about biology or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
ANTH& 235 Cross-cultural medicine (5 credits)
BIOL& 222 Majors biology - cell/molecular (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description; scroll to the end of the pathway for suggestions.
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action items:
- Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
BIOL& 223 Majors biology - organismal physiology (5 credits)
MATH& 146 Introduction to statistics (5 credits)
PHYS& 114 Principles of physics I (5 credits)
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits, must supplement with 2-credit humanities learning contract)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AS-T degree for biology and prepares you for a major in Anthropology/Biology (BA) or Biology/Anthropology (BS) at Western Washington University. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 151 Calculus I.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab (5 credits)
CHEM& 161 General chemistry with lab I (5 credits)
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build a degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
CHEM& 162 General chemistry with lab II (5 credits)
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Compare the different majors that combine anthropology and biology at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
CHEM& 163 General chemistry with lab III (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): scroll to the end of the pathway for suggested courses
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in ANTH& 204 and CHEM& 163.
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology (5 credits)
BIOL& 221 Majors biology - ecology/evolution (5 credits)
MATH& 146 Intro to statistics (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about biology or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
ANTH& 235 Cross-cultural medicine (5 credits)
BIOL& 222 Majors biology - cell/molecular (5 credits)
PHYS& 114 Principles of physics I (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action items:
- Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
ANTH elective (5 credits) scroll to the end of the pathway for suggested courses
BIOL& 223 Majors biology - organismal physiology (5 credits)
CHEM& 131 Intro to organic/biochemistry (5 credits)
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indians of North America
or ANTH& 216 Northwest coast Indians - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits, must supplement with 2-credit humanities learning contract)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions