Cultural Anthropology at
The University of West Florida
College of Arts and Sciences

Anthropologists study human beings of all times and places. The cultural anthropology track at the University of West Florida rests upon a basic foundation of courses on human origins and biological variation (physical anthropology), prehistoric and historic technological development (archaeology, ecology), appreciation of the diversity of world cultures (ethnography), and general culture theory. Working from these bases, the program gives primary emphasis to practical results for integrated anthropological research. Contemporary anthropologists are not passive "observers" of culture. The UWF program stresses applied interpretation and explanation of human activities, and embraces non-Western and Western cultures.

As a second emphasis, the cultural anthropology track encourages students to explore the distinctive behaviors or lifeways of particular groups of people. General and specialized area studies range from focused readings on small traditional groups to survey courses on culture areas or traditions. Area studies for some students may even involve the history of large-scale, complex societies. Area courses offered within each two- year cycle include Peoples and Cultures of the World, North American Indians, and Japanese Culture. In addition, some geographically or topically defined seminars or courses broaden the offerings to accommodate a wide array of individual interests.

Semiotic studies, or linguistic and philosophical approaches to the human uses of "signs", form a third emphasis within the cultural anthropology track. All students take the Language and Culture course and an additional advanced semiotic or critical theory offering. Drawing from expertise among faculty in the disciplines of art, education, English, history, modern languages, philosophy, psychology, and sociology, students encounter questions about meaning is culture and society. This most-interdisciplinary aspect of our curriculum, managed through closely advised elective selections, links students to strong faculty in other departments and programs. Cultural anthropology students are encouraged to pursue minor programs, languages, and international education experiences. Because the subdiscipline of cultural anthropology bridges the biological and social sciences while also incorporating many ideas and methods of the humanities, the track serves as a fine liberal arts major. Our majors have successfully completed graduate programs in anthropology, business administration, humanities studies, medicine, nursing, public administration, and theology.

Cultural anthropology courses consistently offer the most direct contact with non-Western cultures in the UWF curriculum. The program also presents substantial experience with non-Western content in cultures of "traditional" Europe and colonial America. Current ethnographic readings within the anthropology curriculum cover societies of North and South America, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Near East.

Majors in the cultural anthropology track are monitored through portfolio work continuing throughout the entire experience of the program. The Pensacola region provides a natural setting for diverse forms of modern cultural anthropology, including internships stressing cross-cultural problems in medical, educational, and social service settings. Instruction allows for both individual and group field projects. Descriptions of living people (ethnography) and cultural interpretations of documents pertaining to non-Western cultures (ethnohistory) form a part of each student's methodological preparation in the program. Most of our students gain early professional experiences at scholarly meetings and through writing for publication. We encourage majors to pursue creative and technical writing in regular courses through library study, bibliography building, term presentations to the public, and presentations at meetings.

CONTACT:

Terry J. Prewitt, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology
Direct: (904) 474-2186, Secretary (904)474-2797

LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS (60 sh)

Required Lower Division Anthropology Courses:

ANT 2000	Introduction to Anthropology	3
OR
ANT 2410	Cultural Anthropology

ANT 2511	Physical Anthropology	4
AND
ANT 2511L	Physical Anthropology Lab

Please Note: We are adding a prerequisite of BSC 1010 (General Biology) or a more-advanced basic biology or botany course. Though the prerequisite is not yet in the catalog, we strongly recommend that sudents complete such a course before enrolling in Physical Anthropology.

Electives (17 sh)

Recommended that these courses be taken at the lower division:

Foreign language courses	8-14
Lower Division Electives	3-9

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

UPPER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS (60 sh)

CORE COURSES
ANT 3100	Introduction to Archaeology	3
ANT 3212	Peoples and Cultures of the World	3
ANT 3403	Cultural Ecology	3
ANT 3620	Language and Culture	3
ANT 4034	History of Anthropology	3
ANT 4705	Applied Anthropology	3

OPTIONS
Choose One
ANT 4944	Anthropology Internship	3-6
	Other approved fieldwork
Choose One
ANT 3310	North American Indians	3
	Another approved area course
Choose One
ANT 4650	Semiotic Seminar	3
ANT 4651	Aesthetics and Critical Theory

ELECTIVES
ANT 3/4/5000	course approved by the cultural anthropology advisor	3-6

Major Related (15-27 sh)

SYA 3300	Methods of Social Research	3
SYA 3451	Data Analysis in Social Research	3
SYA 4110	History of Sociological Thought	3

(Approved replacements may be arranged for any of these courses in order to enhance a student's program of study).

Choose One
CRW 4211	Creative Non-Fiction	3
JOU 4308	Magazine Writing	3
	An approved minor in sociology, geography,	3-15
	history, philosophy, or women's studies

Electives (0-15 sh)

Students who have not completed ANT 2000 and/or ANT 2511 before coming to UWF must complete these classes before graduation. Students with upper division flexibility are encouraged to pursue additional focus through advanced language study, acquisition of statistical tools, or directed individual fieldwork. International study is strongly encouraged. Language courses taught outside the United States are also encouraged. Students should assure that the program includes at least 48 UL hours.