THE ANTHROPOLOGY MAJOR: 

Graduate Programs in Anthropology 

For many careers, specialized credentials in the form of graduate degrees are of great benefit. UTA Anthropology majors have proceeded upon graduation to pursue master's and doctoral degrees in Anthropology as well as other disciplines at UTA and other institutions. Should you be interested in graduate study in anthropology, you are encouraged to discuss your academic and professional aspirations with the faculty. They will be happy to assist you in identifying the best and most appropriate graduate programs nationwide based on your specific interests. 

 

THE ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAM AT UTA 

 

Areas of specialization 

• Cultural Anthropology. Cultural anthropologists study contemporary human behavior around the world. They seek to understand the role of culture in human societies. Their research involves participant-observation methods of fieldwork.
• Physical Anthropology. Physical or biological anthropologists study humans as a biological species. Their research involves the human fossil record as well as modern human biological variation and adaptation, including such topics as varied as the growth and development of children and forensic anthropology.
• Archaeology. Archaeologists examine human cultures of the past–-how they adapted to their environments and evolved socially over time–-by excavating and analyzing the tools, settlements, art, documents and other material traces these cultures left behind.

A program of study in anthropology has as its objective the grounding of students in three main subfields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology. Our program prepares students both for graduate work in anthropology and for many careers in which anthropological perspectives and training are useful. 

 

UTA FACULTY IN ANTHROPOLOGY  

Joseph Bastien (PhD, Cornell University), Professor.

Dr. Bastien is a sociocultural anthropologist who has done fieldwork in the Bolivian Andes and Amazon for more than 25 years. He has written eight books on such topics as ritual and land use (Mountain of the Condor), the use of herbs in healing (Healers of the Andes: Kallawaya Herbalists and Their Medicinal Plants), the integration of biomedicine and ethno-medicine (The Drum and the Stethoscope), and the cultural epidemiology of Chagas’ disease (The Kiss of Death: Chagas’ Disease in the Americas). He has published a number of contributions in American Anthropologist. Dr. Bastien is the recipient of both short-term and long-term Outstanding Research Awards from UTA. These awards were primarily given for his collaborative work on the use of medicinal plants for curing AIDS. He is currently writing a book on the Chipaya Andeans, one of the most ancient surviving groups in the Americas. He teaches courses on mythology, religion, anthropology of medicine, and culture and personality.

Karl M. Petruso (PhD, Indiana University), Associate Professor.

Dr. Petruso is an archaeologist specializing in the economic prehistory of the eastern Mediterranean. He has excavated in Greece, Egypt, and Portugal over the past thirty years, and since 1991 has been American co-director of the joint American-Albanian excavation at the Konispol Cave in southern Albania, which was the first archaeological project to involve American scholars in that country. He is author of Keos, Vol. VIII: The Balance Weights. An Analysis of Weight Measurement in Prehistoric Crete and the Cycladic Islands, (Mainz: Phillip von Zabern Press, 1992) and has published widely on his research in the American Journal of Archaeology, Antiquity, Archaeology, and Kadmos. He has held fellowships from the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the University of London, and was twice designated a Fulbright Senior Research Fellow (to Cyprus and Syria). He has been a member of the College of Lecturers for the Archaeological Institute of America since 1982, and in 1998 was named John L. Caskey Memorial Lecturer in Aegean Archaeology of the AIA. He teaches courses on principles of archaeology, classical archaeology, Egyptology, Old World prehistory, and theory and method of archaeology.  

Deborah Reed-Danahay (PhD, Brandeis University), Associate Professor and Director of the Anthropology Program.

Dr. Reed-Danahay is a sociocultural anthropologist who has conducted fieldwork in rural France and in an American nursing home. She is author of Education and Identity in Rural France: The Politics of Schooling (Cambridge 1996), and editor of Auto/Ethnography: Rewriting the Self and the Social (Berg 1997). She received a summer stipend from NEH in 1997, a UTA Research Enhancement Grant in 1996, and a Fulbright Research Award in 2001. She was the 1999 recipient of the UTA Award for Outstanding Research Achievement. She has published several book chapters, and her articles have appeared in the journals American Anthropologist, American Ethnologist, Anthropological Quarterly, and Ethnologie Française, among others. Her most recent research is on the study of education and cultural identity in the “New Europe.” She teaches courses on cultural anthropology, political anthropology, gender, personal narrative, the anthropology of Europe and educational anthropology. 

Shelley L. Smith (PhD, University of Michigan), Associate Professor.

Dr. Smith is a biological anthropologist with interests in both hominid paleontology and in modern human variation. She has published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology (on human / hominid hand bones), the Journal of Forensic Sciences (on human hand and foot bone identification), and the Yearbook of Physical Anthropology (on the modern human origins debate; co-authored with F.B. Harrold). She has written two invited chapters, one on eugenics and one on race, for a volume in progress which will honor the University of Michigan paleoanthropologist C.L. Brace. Her current research, conducted in conjunction with colleagues at the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, concerns the growth of soft tissues of the facial region; the ultimate goal of this research is to understand more completely the coordinated three-dimensional growth and development of the bone and soft tissue of the craniofacial region. Dr. Smith teaches the introductory and methods courses in biological anthropology, courses in human and primate evolution, and a course on the concept of race and modern human biological adaptation. 

Christian Zlolniski (PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara), Assistant Professor.

Dr. Zlolniski, a sociocultural anthropologist, did his undergraduate studies at the Universidad Autónoma in Madrid, Spain. Before joining UTA, he was a visiting professor at the University of California in Santa Barbara and, for the past few years, a professor at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana, Mexico. He has conducted ethnographic research on Mexican and Latino immigrants in Northern California. His research interests include Latinos in the U.S., globalization, transnational migration, economic anthropology, and Mexico. Dr. Zlolniski has published several articles based on his field research in both English and Spanish journals and books, including “Unskilled immigrant labor in high-tech companies” (W. Cornelius et al., eds., in press); “Etnografía de trabajadores informales en un barrio de inmigrantes mexicanos en el Silicon Valley” (Revista Mexicana de Sociología); and “The informal economy in an advanced industrialized society” (Yale Law Journal). Dr. Zlolniski is also affiliated with the Center for Mexican American Studies. 

 

Adjunct Faculty: 

Dana Austin (PhD, University of Florida) Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Dr. Austin is the forensic anthropologist and a senior trace analyst for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. Since 1986 she has consulted on cases involving skeletal recovery and analysis with numerous medical examiners and law enforcement agencies throughout Florida and Texas. She has published on her research involving video superimposition for human identification in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Her current research examines a modern population to obtain the full range of variation in certain growth indicators (long bone epyiphyses) with a view to increasing the accuracy of estimation of the age range of unidentified individuals. Dr. Austin teaches human osteology , forensic anthropology, and advanced methods in forensic anthropology. 

Evan C. Engwall (PhD Candidate, University of Illinois), Visiting Assistant Professor.

Dr. Engwall is an archaeologist, specializing in the archaeology and ethnohistory of South America. He is the co-editor of Gifts to the Cayman: Essays in Honor of Donald W. Lathrap (Journal of the Steward Anthrolopological Society). He has published on the expansion of the Inka Empire, as well as numerous entries on early Northern Andean socieites in the Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture (Charles Scribner's Sons) and the Encyclopedia of World Prehistory (Kluwer). Dr. Engwall's current research focuses on ceramic style and technology in the early complex societies of Late Formative Ecuador and agency theory. His additional research and teaching interests include GIS and remote sensing, archaeological history and theory, and the anthropology of the Internet. 

 

ADMISSION TO THE ANTHROPOLOGY MAJOR 

Admission to major status in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is effective upon completion of 30 hours from the UTA Core Curriculum with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher. Transfer students with 30 hours from the core curriculum and 12 hours in residence with a GPA of 2.00 or higher may apply for major status. Students who seek to major in anthropology should have taken three hours of ANTH courses with a grade of C or better before enrolling in the major. 

 

REQUIREMENTS For the Bachelor of Arts DEGREE in Anthropology

(Effective for students enrolling in fall 2001) 

Core Curriculum Requirements 

English: Six hours of composition (typically ENGL 1301 and 1302)

Literature: Three hours of English or foreign language literature or other approved substitute

Liberal Arts Elective: Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing

Political Science: POLS 2311 and 2312

History: HIST 1311 and 1312

Mathematics: Six hours (level of college algebra or higher).

Science: Eight hours in a single laboratory science (Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics)

Fine Arts: Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music or theater arts

Electives: Sufficient to achieve 125 academic hours required for the degree. 

Program Requirements 

Major: Thirty-nine hours in Anthropology, including ANTH 2307, ANTH 2322, ANTH 2339; one additional course in each of these three subfields (cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology) at the 3000/4000 level; and SOCI 3352

Minor: Eighteen hours outside Anthropology, of which six must be at the 3000/4000 level

Modern Language: 1441 and 1442, and six hours at the 2000 level or above.

Linguistics: Three hours (typically LING 2301)

Philosophy: Three hours (PHIL 1301 or 2311) 

University Requirements 

Oral Communication and Computer Competencies:

Students are required to demonstrate computer use and oral communication competencies.

Computer use proficiency can be demonstrated through successful completion of (a) CSE 1301 or BUSA 2303; (b) SOCI 3355; or ANTH 3341 (to be offered next during academic year 2002-03); (c) other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly; or (d) the University computer use competency examination.

Oral communication proficiency can be demonstrated through the successful completion of (a) SPCH 1301, 2305, or 3302; (b) designated courses in Anthropology and Sociology; (c) other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly: or (d) the University oral communication competency examination.

Note: Both SOCI 3355 and ANTH 3341 fulfill the computer use and oral communication proficiency requirements.

You should discuss the options for fulfilling these competency requirements with your undergraduate advisor.  

At least 36 hours of the student's work must be at the advanced level (3000 or above). 

A sample degree plan may be found on the following page.

Undergraduate Degree Plan

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY 

Eighteen hours of Anthropology, six of which must be at the advanced level (3000 or above). 

 

ACADEMIC ADVISING 

All students benefit from academic advising on a regular basis. Upon entering the Program, each student is assigned to a full-time faculty member who will serve as his/her academic advisor and degree plan counselor. Before registering for each term (including summer and intersessions), the student must make an appointment during the academic advisor's designated hours to be advised and electronically cleared for registration. (Suzanne Baldon in the department office schedules the appointments.) Although advisors are available on a rotating basis during the summer, students are urged to transact their advising business with their designated advisors during the fall and spring semesters if at all possible.

Please note that students may change academic advisors at any time. They are especially encouraged to do so as their intellectual and career interests evolve.

Students are urged to contact their academic advisors early in their first semester at UTA in order to plan a general academic program. At this time a tentative degree plan will be established; this document will be updated at each subsequent registration session. If you have transferred to UTA, qualified admissions officers will do a formal evaluation of your transcript; your academic advisor in Anthropology will then review this evaluation and determine the extent to which relevant transfer courses will count toward your program of study.

A formal degree plan for Anthropology majors is to be filed in the departmental office no later than one semester after the student's acceptance into the Program. A minimum of 50 academic hours must be completed before a formal degree plan can be generated. All transfer hours are entered on the student's degree plan, but no more than 72 hours can be accepted from a two-year institution. Additional hours may be transferred from a four-year college or university. Note that at least 32 hours must be completed in residence at UTA in order to qualify for a bachelor’s degree.

The formal degree plan is your contract with the University. Your academic advisor, the department chair, the Dean of Liberal Arts, and the Registrar must approve any change to your degree plan. When all requirements have been met, the bachelor’s degree is awarded.  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANTHROPOLOGY MAJORS AT UTA 

Honors College

The Anthropology Program participates in the Honors College. Qualified Anthropology majors can earn an Honors degree in Anthropology. Honors candidates must have a combined SAT score of 1150 or an ACT score of 27. Admission is competitive. Entering freshmen must be in the top 15% of their graduating class. Currently enrolled or transfer students must have a 3.0 GPA.

Admission to the Honors College is not based solely on grades or standardized test scores. The Admissions Committee considers faculty recommendations and student statements of purpose in the selection of Honors candidates. For further information, contact the Honors College at 817-272-7215. 

 

McNair Scholars Program

The UTA McNair Scholars Program (named after Ronald E. McNair, one of the astronauts who died in the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster in 1986) prepares undergraduates for future study at the master's and doctoral level. Students participate in the program's skill-building seminars and workshops, and engage in research projects with faculty mentors each summer.

UTA's program is one of approximately 160 McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Programs based in American colleges and universities, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The primary goal of the McNair programs is to increase the number of underrepresented students who obtain doctoral degrees and teach and conduct research at the university level.

Students who meet the following criteria qualify as McNair scholars:

• Sophomore, junior or senior status (seniors must have 12 months remaining before graduation);
• Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above;
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
• Member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate school (African American, Hispanic, or Native American) or first-generation/low-income college student (neither parent has a four-year degree) and within the household income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education.

Eligible students are invited to interview with the McNair Scholars Program staff. Final decisions on acceptance are made by a faculty/staff selection committee. For more information, visit the McNair Scholars Program in Hammond Hall Room 122, or telephone 817-272-3715. 

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 

The UTA campus hosts more than 200 student honorary, professional, service and social organizations, a listing of which may be found on the web at http://www.uta.edu/uta/studentorgs.html#special. Among the organizations that are particularly recommended to Anthropology students are the following: 

Anthropology Club. This organization sponsors lectures by visiting scholars, film screenings, and other academic activities and social events. All students interested in anthropology are invited to attend its monthly meetings during the academic year. Prof. Engwall, faculty advisor for the Anthropology Club, can be contacted for further information. 

Lambda Alpha Honor Society. This is a dynamic national collegiate organization that nurtures and rewards the efforts of high-achieving students. The Alpha Chapter of Texas, chartered at the University of Texas at Arlington, is administered by a team of graduate students under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The focus is academic and professional rather than social, and its members are dedicated to professional development in the field of anthropology. This organization offers a wide variety of experiences and assistance to undergraduates as well as graduate students. Prof. Bastien is the faculty advisor for Lambda Alpha. 

Sigma Xi. Sigma Xi is the international honor society for scientific research. Membership is by invitation. Students who are contemplating graduate study and/or a career in research and are interested in Sigma Xi membership should contact Dr. Petruso for further information. 

Alpha Chi. Alpha Chi is a national honors society whose purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction. Information on membership can be found on the Student Organizations page of the UTA web site. 

Liberal Arts Constituency Council. Anthropology students are encouraged to make their voices heard in the Liberal Arts Constituency Council (LACC), which is responsible for programs, publications, and policies within the College.  

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology: Dr. Robert Young (bob.young@uta.edu) 

Director of the Anthropology Program: Dr. Deborah Reed-Danahay (dreed@uta.edu) 

Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising: Dr. Karl Petruso (petruso@uta.edu) 

Graduate Advisor Dr. Shelley Smith (slsmith@uta.edu), for information on the UTA master's degree program in Anthropology 

Department Office:

University Hall 430

601 S. Nedderman Drive

Box 19599, University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX 76019 

Telephone  817-272-2661

FAX:   817-272-3759

E-mail:  anthropology@uta.edu 

Anthropology Program Web Page: http://www.uta.edu/anthropology/ 

Electronic Distribution List: All Anthropology majors and minors are encouraged to join the electronic distribution list maintained by the Program. Please make sure that Suzanne Baldon, Secretary in the department office, always has your current electronic mail address so that you can be kept apprised of relevant events and activities.