Anthropology is an ambitious intellectual venture that examines the origin, development,
and organization of humans from both a biological and behavioral perspective. As such,
Anthropology is arguably the most comprehensive discipline to examine the framework
of human existence.
At Santa Monica College, we are committed to developing an Anthropology Program that
not only introduces non-majors to the enormous breadth of anthropological inquiry,
but also prepares interested students for a career within the academic discipline.
We believe that our diversified department provides the needed foundation to achieve
these goals. In fact, Santa Monica College is recognized throughout the academic community
as a leader in anthropological instruction.
Academic Programs Within Anthropology
Archaeology: Scientific study of historic or prehistoric peoples and their cultures by analysis
of the physical record.
Cultural Anthropology: Scientific study of the origins, history, and development of human culture, and
including in its scope the fields of archaeology, ethnology, and ethnography.
Linguistic Anthropology: Scientific study of the role language plays in society, with particular attention
to the relationship between communication and broader socio-cultural processes.
Biological Anthropology: Scientific study of the evolution of humans, their variability, and adaptations
to environmental stresses.
Program Level Outcomes
Upon completion of Anthropology classes, students will:
Organize the cultural, historical, and biological aspects of humanness into an integrated
perspective of humans as unique and adapted bio-cultural animals.
Use key concepts, methodologies and developments in anthropology to recognize, describe,
evaluate, and analyze various aspects of human behavior.
Anthropology Courses
All classes meet IGETC and GE transfer requirements. Courses are not sequential; there
are no prerequisites.
Anthropology 1: Biological Anthropology
Anthropology 2: Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology 3: World Archaeology
Anthropology 4: Methods of Archaeology
Anthropology 5: Biological Anthropology with a Lab
Anthropology 7: Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
Anthropology 9: Paleoanthropology
Anthropology 14: Sex, Gender, and Culture
Anthropology 19: The Culture of Food
Anthropology 20: Traditional Peoples and Culture of Africa
Anthropology 21: Peoples and Power in Latin America
Anthropology 22: Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft
Anthropology 35: Archaeological Field Studies in Latin America
Transfer Preparation
Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students
planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses
completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university.
Please consult a Counselor. SMC has transfer articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.
Degrees and Certificates
Associate in Arts for Transfer - Anthropology
18 units + General Education Requirements
Upon successful completion of the Santa Monica College AA-T in Anthropology, students
will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper-division
baccalaureate study. This coursework will satisfy most of the lower-division Anthropology
requirements at many institutions at both the UC and CSU university systems*. This
degree is intended for students who are interested in the theory of Anthropology and
are planning on transferring to a four-year university and majoring in Anthropology.
*Completion of this degree will likely give you priority admission consideration in
the major at some CSU campuses. In addition, you will need to complete no more than
60 semester/90 quarter CSU units of coursework after transfer to complete your degree.
If you are considering transferring to a UC, private, or out of state university,
please consult a counselor before applying to transfer, as transfer requirements might
be different than those required for the AA-T in Anthropology.
Certificate of Achievement - Cultural Resource Management
9 units + General Education Requirements
This certificate provides specific knowledge and practical experience to students
who may pursue careers in Cultural Resource Management (CRM), Archaeology, Museum
Studies, or Historic Preservation. CRM integrates the fields of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation to address the myriad of Federal, State, and local legislation aimed
at protecting cultural resources. CRM is the fastest growing subdiscipline within
archaeology, and ensures that critical archaeological concerns are represented throughout
project planning and construction.
Additional career options: Cultural Resource Management, Human Resources Manager,
International Law & Policy Analyst, Linguist, Peace Corps Manager/Volunteer, Primatologist,
Public Health Analyst, and Public Relations Officer. (This list is by no means comprehensive.)
Need help planning for your major?
Our counselors are here to help you plan your academic classes, goals, and needs.
