Missouri State University

Graduate College

2013-14 Graduate Catalog

Preliminary Edition
published April 2013

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Strong Hall, Room 451, Phone: (417) 836-5640, Fax: (417) 846-4198
Email: SociologyAnthropology@missouristate.edu
Website: http://soc-ant.missouristate.edu
Acting Department Head: William A. Wedenoja

Graduate faculty

Professor:  Margaret L. Buckner, John B. Harms, Timothy D. Knapp, William C. Meadows, Suzanne E. Walker-Pacheco, William A. Wedenoja

Associate Professor:  Elizabeth A. Sobel, Michael Stout

Research Professor:  Neal H. Lopinot, Jack H. Ray, Marcie L. Venter

Emeritus Professor:  Ravinda G. Amonker, Gary L. Brock, Shahin Gerami, Donald D. Landon, Marvin Prosono, Martha F. Wilkerson, Juris Zarins

Programs

Master of Science, Applied Anthropology

William Wedenoja, Graduate Director
Strong Hall, Room 470; Phone (417) 836-5641
billwedenoja@missouristate.edu

Program Description

Applied Anthropology is the application of anthropological skills and knowledge to the needs and problems of society today.  This program is intended to be a terminal, practice degree, although it will also be helpful preparation for a Ph.D. program.  Applicants should have a strong undergraduate background in anthropology.  The program emphasizes the cultivation of professional skills such as quantitative analysis, computer applications, technical writing, and public speaking.  There are many facets to applied anthropology, but the current focus of this program is the study and preservation of cultural heritage through archaeology and ethnography.  Every student will take courses in both archaeology and in ethnography, but each student will normally focus on one or the other.  The program is concerned chiefly with American culture and diversity, particularly Native American culture and the Ozarks region, and is intended to meet the steadily growing need for professionals in cultural resource management, public archaeology, cultural and linguistic preservation, and heritage tourism.

Accelerated Master's Option

Outstanding undergraduate majors in anthropology at Missouri State may gain early acceptance to the Master of Science program in Applied Anthropology. Admitted students will be permitted to take up to 6 hours of graduate credit in ANT at the 600-700 level that can be applied to the requirements for both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees.

Before enrolling in a course to be counted for both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and receive prior approval from the graduate program director, department head, and Dean of the Graduate College. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course.

Eligible students may initiate the process for admission to the accelerated option by submitting an application to the Graduate College. This should be completed as early as possible to allow sufficient time for consideration of all application materials. Students are encouraged to consult with the graduate program director prior to applying.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Option
  1. A declared major in Anthropology at Missouri State University.
  2. Senior standing and an overall GPA of 3.25 or better.
  3. Completion of at least 21 hours in ANT, including ANT 226 and ANT 240, with a 3.5 GPA or better in the major.
  4. Three letters of recommendation concerning academic and professional promise from faculty familiar with your performance.
  5. A resume of not more than two pages, highlighting any experience relevant to this master's program.
  6. A statement of purpose of 300-500 words on your qualifications and reasons for pursuing this degree.
  7. At least one sample of writing (e.g., a term paper).
  8. Formal acceptance to the accelerated option by the graduate faculty in anthropology.
Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is selective. The minimum standards for admission are:

  1. A bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri State University.
  2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale; OR at least a 3.25 GPA on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work; OR a combined score of 1000 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  3. At least a 3.25 in all anthropology courses.

This program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate major in anthropology, which should include at least two courses in cultural anthropology and in archaeology, a theory course, and an introduction to statistics. A field school or fieldwork experience is highly recommended, as are courses in North American Indians and North American Archaeology. Promising applicants may be admitted provisionally with deficiencies, which will need to be rectified with extra course work.

A final decision on admission will be made by the anthropology graduate admissions committee, which will take the following into consideration:

  1. Three letters of recommendation concerning academic and professional promise.
  2. A resume of not more than two pages, highlighting any experience relevant to this Master’s program.
  3. A statement of purpose of 300-500 words on qualifications and reasons for pursuing this degree.
  4. At least one sample of writing (e.g., a term paper).
  5. A transcript of all courses taken and degree(s) completed.

Admission will also depend on the number of students the program can support at a given time and the suitability of the applicant and his or her interests for the objectives of the program.

Degree Requirements (minimum of 36 hours)
  1. Core Requirements (21 hours)

    Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
    ANT 611 Ethnographic Field Methods OR  
    ANT 650 Advanced Methods in Archaeology 3 hrs
    ANT 700 Applying Anthropology 3 hrs
    ANT 720 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology 3 hrs
    ANT 770 Research Design and Writing in Anthropology 3 hrs
    ANT 790 Internship in Applied Anthropology 3 hrs
    ANT 797 Practicum in Applied Anthropology OR  
    ANT 799 Thesis 6 hrs
  2. Electives (15 hours)

    Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
    ANT 611 Ethnographic Field Methods 3 hrs
    ANT 626 North American Indians Today 3 hrs
    ANT 645 Cultural Resource Management 3 hrs
    ANT 650 Advanced Methods in Archaeology 3 hrs
    ANT 655 Archaeological Theory 3 hrs
    ANT 692 Directed Research in Anthropology 1-3 hrs
    ANT 696 Directed Readings in Anthropology 1-3 hrs
    ANT 698 Seminar in Anthropology* 3 hrs

    *When applicable (e.g., The Anthropology of Tourism, Ethnohistory, Language Preservation, Historic Archaeology, Interpreting Skeletal Remains).
    Up to 6 hours of related graduate level courses in other programs may also serve as electives with approval of the advisor and graduate director.
  3. Internship. Every student will complete an internship of at least 200 hours with an approved organization. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange this internship, in consultation with his or her advisor. Completion of the internship requires submission of a detailed report or portfolio and an oral presentation to the anthropology faculty and graduate students.
  4. Advisory Committee. Every student will be assigned a faculty advisor, who will supervise the course of study. An advisory committee of at least three professors from the Graduate Faculty will be formed to evaluate the practicum or thesis. This committee may include an additional member from another university, or an agency or organization, when appropriate.
  5. Research.Upon completion of the core courses, electives, and internship, each student will submit a proposal for a research project. This proposal shall be prepared in consultation with the student’s advisor. When completed, the graduate director will convene a hearing with the student’s advisory committee for final approval. There are two options for this research project:
    1. Practicum. It is expected that most students will conduct an applied project from beginning to completion. The final report will serve as the equivalent of a thesis.
    2. Thesis. In some instances, it may be more appropriate to conduct a research project and write a thesis.
  6. Comprehensive Examination. Upon completion of a thesis or a practicum report, a hearing will be held and the student will be examined on the work by the advisory committee. Each student will also give a public presentation on his or her research.

Master of Science in Education, Secondary Education: Social Science Area of Emphasis

Contact Dr. Jamaine Abidogun and see program requirements for the M.S.Ed., Secondary Education under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

Prerequisite Social Science Requirements 

A minimum of 24 undergraduate hours in Social Sciences.

Social Science Requirements

A minimum of 15 hours from Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Courses from one of the above disciplines                      9 hrs

Courses from a second one of the above disciplines      6 hrs

Total                                                                               15 hrs

Anthropology Courses

ANT 605 Ethnohistory

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. The use of documents, maps, photos, recordings, oral histories, artifacts, folklore, linguistics, and ethnography to reconstruct the culture history of a social or ethnic group, particularly historically marginalized peoples such as Native Americans. May be taught concurrently with ANT 505. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 605 and ANT 505.

ANT 611 Ethnographic Field Methods

Ethnographic methods and techniques in the study of culture, with emphasis on participant-observation, interviewing, note-taking and management, data analysis, and ethics. May be taught concurrently with ANT 510. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 510 and ANT 611.

ANT 626 North American Indians Today

Focuses on major developments in North American Indian life in the 20th and 21st centuries, including cultural, social, economic, political, environmental, and legal issues that affect Native Americans today. May be taught concurrently with ANT 525. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 525 and ANT 626.

ANT 645 Cultural Resource Management

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An examination of laws and regulations pertaining to the preservation of American history and culture and the professional management and preservation of ethnic, historic, and prehistoric cultural resources. May be taught concurrently with ANT 545. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 645 and ANT 545.

ANT 650 Advanced Methods in Archaeology

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Advanced study and practice in methods and techniques employed in archaeology such as lithic, ceramic, and faunal analysis. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes. May be taught concurrently with ANT 650. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 650 and ANT 550 for the same topic.

ANT 651 Lithics

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of prehistoric stone tools. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students on the manufacture, identification and analysis of flaked stone artifacts. Students will become familiar with the major issues in lithic analysis, gain a basic understanding of flint knapping and, by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic lithic research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 551. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 651 and ANT 551.

ANT 652 Zooarchaeology

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students in vertebrate osteology and the identification and analysis of animal remains. Students will become familiar with the major issues in zooarchaeology, will gain a basic understanding of the vertebrate skeleton, and by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic faunal research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 552. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 652 and ANT 552.

ANT 655 Archaeological Theory

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A comprehensive and in-depth examination of theoretical issues and perspectives concerning the practice of archaeology and the interpretation of archaeological remains. May be taught concurrently with ANT 555. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 655 and ANT 555.

ANT 692 Directed Research in Anthropology

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Individual or group research involving supervised collection and analysis of cultural data. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 9 hours of ANT 692 and ANT 599 combined.

ANT 695 History of Anthropological Theory

Senior culminating course for Anthropology majors. This course traces the development of anthropology and anthropological theory, with emphasis on the major theorists and schools of thought in the twentieth century. May be taught concurrently with ANT 595. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 595 and ANT 695.

ANT 696 Directed Readings in Anthropology

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous anthropology courses. Includes a wide selection of literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 6 hours of ANT 596 and ANT 696 combined.

ANT 698 Seminar in Anthropology

A detailed investigation and analysis of a specialized or advanced topic of interest to anthropology (e.g., Upper Paleolithic art, the evolution of human behavior, ethnographies of religion). May be repeated when topic changes. Variable content course. May be taught concurrently with ANT 598. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 598 and ANT 698.

ANT 700 Applying Anthropology

An introduction to the field of applied anthropology, surveying the professional opportunities for applied anthropologists and the variety of ways in which anthropology is applied to the needs and problems of society.

ANT 720 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology

Recommended Prerequisite: introductory course in statistics. Uses of quantitative methods and databases in the field of anthropology, with particular emphasis on applied research.

ANT 770 Research Design and Writing in Anthropology

Prerequisite: ANT 700. How to plan and conduct a research project in applied anthropology and prepare grant proposals, contract reports, journal publications, and other professional documents in anthropology.

ANT 790 Internship in Applied Anthropology

Prerequisite: ANT 700 and permission of instructor. A minimum of 200 hours of work experience as an applied anthropologist with an approved business, organization, program, or agency. Requires a written report and a public presentation. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

ANT 797 Practicum in Applied Anthropology

Prerequisite: ANT 770 and permission of instructor. The student will conduct an applied research project from start to finish, culminating in a professional report. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

ANT 799 Thesis

Prerequisite: ANT 770 and permission of instructor. Research and writing of a masters thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

Sociology Courses

SOC 697 Directed Readings in Sociology

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous Sociology courses. Includes a wide selection from literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours, but no more than 6 hours may be applied to the sociology major. May be taught concurrently with SOC 596. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 596 and SOC 697.