Graduate Student Handbook, School of Anthropology
Description of Graduate Programs
The Department of Anthropology at Washington State University is proud to offer Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the following streams: Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology and Evolutionary Anthropology. Graduate students specialize in one program area, but are expected to acquire a background in the other two streams as well. To ensure this, all graduate students take a core sequence of introductory courses.
Please note: more detailed descriptions of each Graduate Program can be found on the: Department of Anthropology’s Graduate Programs page.
General Learning Outcomes of Graduate Programs
MA Degree Program Learning Outcomes
Creative and Critical Reasoning
All graduate students completing a Masters in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Formulate their own research question or problem effectively
- Present a written discussion of the role of their area of specialization within the broader historical and contemporary field of general anthropology
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and able to form personal opinions about non-anthropological and/or non-academic social issues/concerns related to general anthropology as well as their area of specialization
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of ethical standards within the profession generally and/or of their area of specialization in particular
- Have original ideas about their research topic, and are they able to relate these ideas to those of other scholars in the relevant literature
Information and Data Gathering
All graduate students completing a Masters in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical background, current trends, and major leaders in the field(s) of research relevant to their area of specialization
- Provide an explanation for their selection of data and analytical techniques
- Demonstrate an understanding of the differences between, and appropriate uses of, both qualitative and quantitative data
- Demonstrate the ability to apply systematic techniques in their data collection
- Demonstrate understanding of appropriate ethical and methodological treatment of the informants and/or affected communities
Communication Skills
All graduate students completing a Masters in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Write a clear and concise statement defining their research topic
- Write a contextual statement for their topic
- Present a clear statement of their research methods
- Write a well-reasoned interpretation of their analysis
- Write a unifying conclusion
- Demonstrate a mastery of their area of specialization’s style and citation standards
- Make a clear and concise verbal presentation that includes a statement of their topic, the context of their question, a description of their data and analysis, and a summary of their interpretations
- Respond to questions from an audience
Analytical Reasoning
All graduate students completing a Masters in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply systematic techniques in their data analysis
- Discuss the strengths, weaknesses, limitations, etc. of their data selection and collection techniques (sample bias)
- Select appropriate quantitative or qualitative assessment techniques to evaluate their research question
- Make reasonable interpretations from their analyses
- Discuss reasonable alternative interpretations
Specialization of Study
All graduate students completing a Masters in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of their topic and the broader academic and non-academic contexts of their area of specialization
- Formulate a reasonable question that is compatible with current trends in the field
- Demonstrate an understanding of the range of types of data and analytical techniques appropriate to their area of specialization and their research question
- Effectively consider how subjective and objective aspects of data identification, collection, and analysis may have shaped current thinking and their own interpretations within their area of specialization
PhD Degree Program Learning Outcomes
Creative and Critical Reasoning
All graduate students completing a PhD in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion of the role of their area of specialization within the broader historical and contemporary field of general anthropological theory
- Present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion of the relevance of their specific research project to the goals of their area of specialization
- Present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion, including reasoned opinions about, non-anthropological and/or non-academic social issues/concerns related to general anthropology as well as their area of specialization
- Understand and to discuss the relevance of, ethical standards within the profession generally and their area of specialization in particular
- Have original ideas about their research topic, and are they able to relate these ideas to those of other scholars in the relevant literature
Information and Data Gathering
All graduate students completing a PhD in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate expertise in knowledge of the historical background, current trends, and major leaders in the field(s) of research relevant to their area of specialization
- Provide a well-reasoned explanation for their selection of data and analytical techniques
- Demonstrate an understanding of the differences between, and appropriate uses of, both qualitative and quantitative data
- Demonstrate the ability to apply systematic techniques in their data collection and analysis
Communication Skills
All graduate students completing a PhD in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Write a clear and concise statement defining their research topic
- Write a contextual statement for their topic
- Present a clear statement of their research methods
- Write a well-reasoned interpretation of their analysis
- Write a unifying conclusion statement
- Demonstrate a mastery of their area of specialization’s style and citation standards
- Make a clear and concise verbal presentation before a professional audience that includes a statement of their topic, the context of their question, a description of their data and analysis, and a summary of their interpretations
- Respond to questions from a professional audience
Analytical Reasoning
All graduate students completing a PhD in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced systematic techniques or theory in their data analysis
- Select appropriate quantitative or qualitative assessment techniques in-line with their research question
- Discuss the strengths, weaknesses, limitations, etc. of their data selection and collection techniques (sample bias)
- Make reasonable interpretations from their theoretical perspective and/or analyses
- Discuss reasonable alternative interpretations
Specialization of Study
All graduate students completing a PhD in Anthropology will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop a student’s ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of their topic and the broader academic, and non-academic contexts of their area of specialization
- Formulate a reasonable question that is compatible with current trends in the field
- Demonstrate an understanding of the range of types of data and analytical techniques appropriate to their area of specialization and their research question
- Effectively consider how subjective and objective aspects of data identification, collection, and analysis may have shaped current thinking and their own interpretations within their area of specialization
- Develop expertise in at least one area of methodology within their area of specialization
- Develop expertise in the environment, history, traditional and/or contemporary culture(s), and contemporary anthropological issues of a geographic region
- Demonstrate competence in working with a specific theoretical focus
Course Requirements for the MA and PhD Program in Archaeology
MA students complete a minimum of 30 units, while PhD students complete a minimum of 72 units. Lecture and seminar courses provide 3 units, and laboratory/methods courses typically provide 4 units. Students complete at least the indicated number of units from the groups below:
Group A – Required Courses: Take 3 for a total of 10 units
- ANTH 530 Theory in Archaeology (3 units)
- ANTH 53# (591 Fall 2024) Indigenous Research Methods and Knowledge (3 units)
- ANTH 537 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (4 units)
Group B – Thematic Courses (see note about scheduling): MA requires 2 (6 units); PhD requires 4 (12 units)
- ANTH 535 Cultural Resource Management (3 units)
- ANTH 539 Archaeology of the Southwest (3 units; see scheduling note)*
- ANTH 540 Archaeology of the Northwest Coast (3 units)
- ANTH 543 Archaeology of the Plateau and Great Basin (3 units; see scheduling note)*
- ANTH 545 Political Economy (3 units)
- ANTH 548 Hunter and Gatherers Past and Present (3 units; see scheduling note)*
- ANTH 549 Environment and Culture Change in Complex Societies (3 units; see scheduling note)*
*Scheduling Note: Thematic courses previously offered, but not currently in scheduled course rotation
Group C – Laboratory/Methods Courses: MA requires 2 (7 units), PhD requires 4 (15 units)
- ANTH 513 Lithic Technological Organization (4 units)
- ANTH 514 Ceramic Analysis (4 units; see scheduling note)*
- ANTH 570 Sediments in Geoarchaeology (4 units)
- ANTH 571 Stable Isotopes Analysis in Anthropology (4 units)
- ANTH 573 Zooarchaeology (4 units)
- ANTH 576 Paleoethnobotany (4 units)
- SOIL_SCI 568 GIS Spatial Analysis (4 units)
*Scheduling Note: Lab/methods courses previously offered, but not currently in scheduled course rotation
Group D – Electives: MA requires 1 (3 units), PhD requires 3 (9 units)
Electives other than thesis, dissertation, and research units, as appropriate for individual student programs and chosen in consultation with the supervisory committee.
**Breadth Requirement (PhD only) – PhD students must take one approved ANTH (500 level) course outside the archaeology stream. Courses that fulfill this requirement are listed below:
- ANTH 507 – Advanced Studies in Culture Theory
- ANTH 564 – Advances in Evolution and Human Behavior
- ANTH 554 – Anthropological Field Methods Seminar
- ANTH 5## (TBD) – Seminar in Anthropological Applications
- ANTH 591 – Special Topics** (when taught by non-archaeology faculty)
Group E – MA Thesis: [MA requires minimum 4 units]
- ANTH 700 Master’s Research, Thesis, and/or Examination
Graduation requires a written thesis based on original research, as well as a successful oral defense.
Preliminary examination
All PhD students will take a preliminary examination upon the completion of their coursework. The preliminary examination consists of two parts: written and oral.
Group F – PhD Dissertation: [PhD requires minimum 26 units]
- ANTH 800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination
Dissertation
There are two options for the fulfillment of the dissertation requirement. The traditional option consists of writing a dissertation. Alternatively, a student may choose the professional paper option (described on page 27).
Defense of the dissertation
After completing the dissertation a student must present an oral defense of the dissertation.
Coursework planning grid
Group A — Core Courses
| Group A — Core Courses | MA (3 courses; 10 units) | PhD (3 courses; 10 units) |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeological Theory (ANTH 530) | 3 | 3 |
| Indigenous Research Methods and Know ledge (ANTH 532) | 3 | 3 |
| Quantitative Methods (ANTH 537) – 4 units | 4 | 4 |
| Sub-total | 10 | 10 |
Group B — Thematic Courses
| Group B — Thematic Courses | MA (2 courses; 6 units) | PhD (4 courses; 12 units) |
|---|---|---|
| (Insert chosen course) | 3 | 3 |
| (Insert chosen course) | 3 | 3 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 3 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 3 |
| Sub-total | 10 | 10 |
Group C — Method/Lab Courses
| Group C — Methods/Lab | MA (2 courses; 7 units) | PhD (4 courses; 15 units) |
|---|---|---|
| (Insert chosen course) | 4 | 4 |
| (Insert chosen course) | 4 | 4 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 4 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 4 |
| Sub-total | 8 | 16 |
Group D — Elective Courses
| Group D — Electives | MA (1 courses; 3 units) | PhD (3 courses; 9 units; **breadth requirement – see above) |
|---|---|---|
| (Insert chosen course) | 3 | 3 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 3 |
| (Insert chosen course) | not applicable | 3 |
| Sub-total | 3 | 9 |
Total units required for MA or PhD degree
| Course Types | MA Total Units | PhD Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Course work total units | 26 required | 46 required |
| Group E/F — Research units | 4 required (ANTH 700) | 26 required (ANTH 800) |
| Total units | 30 required | 72 required |
Course Requirements for the MA and PhD Program in Cultural Anthropology or Evolutionary Anthropology
The cultural and evolutionary programs offer students a comprehensive curriculum in the theoretical and methodological approaches of anthropology. These approaches include cultural theory and evolutionary theory, qualitative and quantitative methods, and field-based data collection, preparing them to conduct research. Our programs also train PhD students in archaeological theory so they can teach a broad spectrum of anthropology courses. They will also gain expertise in applied anthropological work, and learn the essentials of successful grant writing, all transferable skills that are useful across the academic, government, nonprofit, and industry sectors.
Our curriculum also emphasizes the unique expertise of our WSU faculty. Each year, we offer at least one special-topics course, highlighting a faculty member’s expertise from cultural and evolutionary perspectives. Faculty members each bring their own approach to teaching our courses, and also offer individual training to students in collaborative readings and research courses. In consultation with their MA or PhD committee, students may take additional courses, retake core courses with different faculty members for a different vantage point on a subject, and take courses from other WSU departments. These additional units will also count toward their degree.
MA in Cultural Anthropology or in Evolutionary Anthropology
Total credits: minimum 30 credits, of which 22 must be graded
Required (take all seven courses, 22 units)
Theory (6 units)
- ANTH 507 – Advanced Studies in Culture Theory
- ANTH 564 – Advances in Evolution and Human Behavior
Methods (7 units)
- ANTH 537 – Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (*see noted requirement)
- ANTH 554 – Anthropological Field Methods Seminar
Applications and Special topics (9 units)
- ANTH 5xx – Seminar in Anthropological Applications (will be offered as Anth 591 while course number being approved)
- ANTH 591 – Special Topics (*see noted requirement)
- ANTH 591 – Special Topics (*see noted requirement)
*Faculty requirement: must be offered as part of the core curriculum by a faculty member in the cultural or evolutionary programs.
MA Thesis: (MA requires minimum 4 units)
- ANTH 700 Master’s Research, Thesis, and/or Examination (*see noted requirement)
*Scheduling requirement: Two units must be taken the semester of thesis completion.
Graduation requires a written thesis based on original research, as well as a successful oral defense.
Remaining coursework to meet the 30-credit minimum to be decided in consultation with the student’s thesis committee as per the Program of Study form. These courses may be graded or ungraded and taken from anthropology or another program. Courses taken pass/fail or audited do not count toward the minimum.
PhD in Cultural Anthropology or Evolutionary Anthropology
Total credits: minimum 72, of which 15 must be graded coursework
Section A. PhD students who earned an MA in the Department of Anthropology at WSU
Note that graded MA coursework transfers to PhD minimum requirements, such that PhD students with an MA from WSU Anthropology need to take only two additional courses.
Required (take both courses, 6 units)
- ANTH 530 – Theory in Archaeology
- ANTH 568 – Research Design and Grant Writing
PhD Dissertation Hours (minimum 20 credits)
- ANTH 800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation and/or Examination
All full-time doctoral degree students must register for one research credit of 800 each semester (excluding summers) to track faculty advisor effort.
Remaining coursework to meet the 72-credit minimum (46 units) to be decided in consultation with the student’s dissertation committee as per the Program of Study form. These courses may be graded or ungraded and taken from anthropology or another program. Courses taken pass/fail or audited do not count toward the minimum.
Section B. PhD students who did not earn an MA in the Department of Anthropology at WSU
Total credits: minimum 72, of which 15 must be graded coursework
Required (take both courses, 6 units)
- ANTH 530 – Theory in Archaeology (*see petitioning note)
- ANTH 568 – Research Design and Grant Writing
Required – Electives (three courses from the following list, 9-10 units)
- ANTH 507 – Advanced Studies in Culture Theory
- ANTH 5xx – Seminar in Anthropological Applications
- ANTH 537 – Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (**see faculty requirement)
- ANTH 554 – Anthropological Field Methods Seminar
- ANTH 564 – Advances in Evolution and Human Behavior
- ANTH 591 – Special Topics (**see faculty requirement)
- ANTH 591 – Special Topics (**see faculty requirement)
Petitioning note: student may petition to count an equivalent course from their MA institution toward this requirement with permission from their PhD committee
Faculty requirement: must be offered by a faculty member in cultural or evolutionary and must be offered as part of the core curriculum.
PhD Dissertation Hours (minimum 20 credits)
- ANTH 800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation and/or Examination
All full-time doctoral degree students must register for one research credit of 800 each semester (excluding summers) to track faculty advisor effort.
Remaining coursework to meet the 72-credit minimum to be decided in consultation with the student’s dissertation committee as per the Program of Study form. These courses may be graded or ungraded and taken from anthropology or another program. Courses taken pass/fail or audited do not count toward the minimum requirements.
Preliminary examination
All PhD students take a preliminary examination upon the completion of their coursework. The preliminary examination consists of two parts: written and oral.
Dissertation
Students may choose between two options to fulfill the dissertation requirement: the traditional dissertation option or the so-called three-papers dissertation option. The three-papers dissertation option is described toward the end of the Graduate Program Timelines section. Please consult with your advisor to choose the dissertation option that best suits your research project and career goals.
Defense of the dissertation
After completing the dissertation (by means of either option), students must present an oral defense of the dissertation.