Major Requirements in Anthropology or Sociology

Students will major in either Anthropology or Sociology.

  • Anthropology majors will normally take ANTH 112 (Sociocultural Anthropology), 323 (History of Anthropological Theory), and 332 (Topics in Contemporary Anthropology), and at least one Sociology course. In addition, majors will take at least four additional Anthropology electives. At least four of these courses, including 323 (History of Anthropological Theory), and 332 (Topics in Contemporary Anthropology), should be taken at Amherst College.
  • Sociology majors will normally take SOCI 315 (Foundations of Sociological Theory), and 316 (Social Research) and at least one Anthropology course.  In addition, majors will take at least five additional Sociology electives. At least four of these courses, including  SOCI 315 (Foundations of Sociological Theory) and 316 (Social Research) should be taken at Amherst College. 
  • Candidates for degrees with Departmental Honors will include ANTH/SOCI 498 and 499 (Senior Honors) in addition to the other major requirements. 
  • Majors fulfill the department’s comprehensive requirements by passing the 8 required courses for their major.
  • Courses taken for the major must earn a letter grade, except for those taken while studying at an institution outside the Five College Consortium.