M. A. Program in Anthropology
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS APPLICATION MATERIALS
M.A. Program in Anthropology
The anthropology M.A. program is designed for students who are interested in the traditional sub disciplines of anthropology, as well as such fields as cultural resource management, medical anthropology, social impact assessment, and museology. The program is directed toward students who intend to take a terminal M.A. degree and students who intend, after finishing at NMSU, to enter a Ph.D. program. An undergraduate anthropology degree is not required for entry into the program. Students who lack the equivalent of ANTH 301, 315, 320, and 355 may be required to take these courses, or approved readings courses. ANTH 350 or the equivalent is recommended.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY:
Research in biological anthropology at NMSU is oriented in two main directions: 1) medical anthropology, especially human reproductive biology and evolutionary medicine, and 2) evolutionary primatology with an emphasis on study of the fossil record of primate and human evolution. Three anthropology faculty members contribute to this specialization: Dr. Wenda Trevathan, a biological anthropologist whose research concerns aspects of human reproduction including childbirth, maternal behavior, sexuality, menopause and evolutionary medicine; Dr. Brenda Benefit and Dr. Monte McCrossin who focus on the evolution of Old World monkeys and apes from the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene. Opportunities exist for students to become involved with research projects related to these topics. Courses in Biological Anthropology include: Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology, Anthropology of Reproduction, Advanced Studies in Physical Anthropology, Biological Anthropology Seminar, Nutritional Anthropology, Human Evolution, and Applied Medical Anthropology.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY:
The Department also offers an MA with an emphasis on historical archaeology and a geographical focus of the Greater Southwest, including northern Mexico. Students can focus on the Spanish, Mexi-can or Euroamerican periods, while concentrating on the ranching and mining industries, ethnic relations, urban development, border interactions or frontier dynamics. These studies are under the direction of Dr. Edward Staski, who has recently completed large-scale archaeological investigations in downtown El Paso and at Fort Fillmore and Cummings, frontier military outposts. Results of these projects include the recovery of numerous artifacts and data available to students. Related campus resources include: the New Mexico Heritage Center, a multi-disciplinary foundation for the study and preservation of regional cultural traditions (co-founded by Dr. Staski); the NMSU Museum, which curates extensive archaeological collections; the Rio Grande Collection of Archives pertaining to the southwest; the Border Research Institute. Course offerings in Historical Archaeology include: Advanced Historical Archaeology, Historical Archaeology Field Session, and Laboratory Methods in Historical Archaeology.
MUSEUM STUDIES:
Students also can become involved in museology. The NMSU Museum is affiliated with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Courses in museum studies and practical experience as interns, volunteers, and researchers are also available.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers the Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in cultural anthropology. Students can choose to work with indigenous and/or Latino populations in the US Southwest or Mesoamerica, engaging in fieldwork that enhances the development of broad cross-cultural awareness. Students specializing in cultural anthropology are encouraged to address the specific components of cultural systems, examining the religious, linguistic, socio-economic, health, and/or development aspects of minority cultures. In particular, the cultural anthropology program’s strength lies in the opportunity for M.A. students to engage in cross-cultural (including international) ethnographic fieldwork in communities, thus developing critical anthropological skills, sensitivity and awareness. These studies are under the direction of Dr. Scott Rushforth (Apache cultures in the US Southwest); Dr. Christine Eber (Mayan peoples in Chiapas, Mexico); and Dr. Lois Stanford (mestizo and Purhépecha communities in Michoacán, and Latino rural communities in New Mexico). Instruction includes seminars in cultural anthropological theory, ethnographic field methods, ethics, ethnographic courses in Mesoamerica and the Southwest, gender, and health issues. Students are encouraged to explore inter-disciplinary training in related programs in Latin American studies, linguistics, religious studies, women’s studies, and food systems.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN MESOAMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY:
Students can focus on the pre-Columbian period, the Colonial period, or modern Mesoamerican peoples. Four anthropology faculty contribute to this specialization. Dr. Rani Alexander and Dr. Lisa Lucero are archaeologists who work in the prehistoric and colonial periods respectively. Dr. Christine Eber and Dr. Lois Stanford specialize in ethnography, gender issues, religion, economic, and applied anthropology in the Mesoamerican region. These faculty involve students in projects in Yucatan, Chiapas, and Michoacan, Mexico, and in Belize, Central America. Related campus resources include the Center for Latin American Studies and the Center for International Programs, as well as the NMSU Museum. Course offerings in Mesoamerican Anthropology include: Mesoamerican Anthropology, Advanced Studies in Archaeology, Advanced Studies in Mesoamerican Archaeology, Conquest of the New World, Advanced Issues in Gender and Culture, Peoples of Mexico and Guatemala, and Fieldwork in Latin America.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN SOUTHWESTERN ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY:
The Department offers the Master of Arts degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in prehistoric archaeology and anthropology of the Greater Southwest. Anthropology faculty that contribute to this specialization include Dr. Bill Walker, an archaeologist, and Dr. Scott Rushforth, a cultural anthropologist. Students are encouraged to explore the full range of issues related to human history in a desert environment. Particular strengths of the program include the archaeology of religion, native language retention, as well as prehistoric and contemporary economic and sociopolitical systems. Archaeological research through one of NMSU’s field schools focus on the relationship between southern New Mexico and Paquime regional system in Chihuahua, Mexico. Students may also focus on modern Native American studies. Teaching in the classroom and in the field distinguish the NMSU program from others in the Southwest. Spring and summer archaeological field schools are a regular part of the graduate program and students experience a “hands-on” approach. Instruction also includes teaching in theory, methods, and techniques of analysis. Other facilities that can be used by MA anthropology students include the Center for Latin American Studies, the Rio Grande Archives, and the New Mexico Heritage Center.
Students are encouraged to consult their advisors regarding the schedule and frequency of specific course offerings.
Program Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in anthropology is not required for entry into the program.
However, students who lack the equivalent of ANTH 301, 315, 320, and 355 will be
required to take these courses or our approved readings course, ANTH 499.
Students selecting the thesis option must complete 31 hours of basic course
work, as described below, plus 6 hours of thesis credit. Students selecting the
nonthesis option must complete 37 hours of course work. These 37 hours consist
of 31 hours of basic course work, as described below, plus an additional 6 hours
of electives selected in consultation with the anthropology graduate student
adviser. Students selecting the nonthesis alternative are encouraged to conduct
an internship project as part of their graduate training.
The 31 hours of basic course work for students selecting either the thesis or
nonthesis options are distributed as follows:
ANTH 501, Concepts in Anthropology 3 cr.
(Students must earn a grade of B or better)
ANTH 505, Issues in Anthropological Practice 1 cr.
A. Students will be required to take a core theory course in their respective
subfield.
1. Students in the archaeology subfield must complete ANTH 585 (Method and Theory in Archaeology), earning a grade of B or better.
2. Students in the biological anthropology subfield must complete ANTH 513 (Biological Anthropology), earning a grade of B or better.
3. Students in the cultural anthropology and anthropological linguistics subfields must complete ANTH 500 (Seminar in Anthropological Theory), earning a grade of B or better.
B. Students will be required to take an additional topical/methodological/area course in their respective subfield, earning a grade of B or better.
1.
Students in the archaeology subfield will choose from the following
options:
ANTH 507, Advanced Studies in Archaeology
ANTH 510, Southwestern Anthropology
ANTH 511, Mesoamerican Anthropology
ANTH 514, Advanced Issues in the Archaeology of Religion
ANTH 516, Advanced Archaeology of the American Southwest
ANTH 517, Advanced Topics in
Mesoamerican Archaeology
ANTH 518, Advanced Historical Archaeology
ANTH 519, Advanced Topics in Prehistoric Archaeology
ANTH 540, Cultural Resource Management
ANTH 578, Advanced Lab Methods in Archaeology
2.
Students in the biological anthropology subfield will choose from the
following options:
ANTH 506, Advanced Studies in Physical Anthropology
ANTH 530, Forensic Anthropology and Human Osteology
ANTH 531, Issues in Nutritional Anthropology
ANTH 534, Advanced Human Evolution
ANTH 537, Applied Medical Anthropology
3.
Students in the cultural anthropology and anthropological linguistics
subfields will choose from the following options:
ANTH 502, Comparative Social Theory
ANTH 508, Advanced Studies in Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 509, Advanced Studies in Anthropological Linguistics
ANTH 510, Southwestern Anthropology
ANTH 511, Mesoamerican Anthropology
ANTH 520, Ethnographic Field Methods
ANTH 525, Issues in Language and Culture
ANTH 526, Conquest of the New World
ANTH 532, Advanced Issues in the Anthropology of Religion
ANTH 533, Advanced Issues in Women, Gender, and Culture
ANTH 535, Economic Anthropology
ANTH 536, Anthropology of Development
C. Finally, students will earn an additional 21 credits, at least 15 of which
must be in anthropology.
Admission Requirements
To apply for
admission to the M.A. program in anthropology, submit the following:
Due date: Applications for Fall admission are due February 15 and for spring admission, October 15. Applications for all graduate assistantships are due February 15.
Contact the Graduate Advisor
Home Anthropology Sociology Faculty Contact Us NMSU Main Page Search NMSU NMSU Museum NMSU Admissions
Undergrad Catalog Graduate Catalog Other Programs Guest Speakers Course Schedule ASA AAA