BA in Anthropology - Cultural Anthropology in Harrisonburg United States | James Madison University

Cultural anthropology forms the foundation of anthropological studies. It offers students comprehensive training in analyzing and contrasting diverse cultures. This discipline maintains strong connections with the humanities and various social sciences. The curriculum explores cultural concepts, examines how different societal structures function, investigates the relationship between language and culture, and presents analytical approaches for understanding cultural variations and commonalities. Students collaborate with anthropology professors to select specialized courses from both departmental and interdisciplinary offerings to focus their academic pursuits.

While not mandatory, students are advised to achieve advanced proficiency in a foreign language beyond the bachelor's degree requirements and to cultivate expertise in a specific geographic region through coursework or a minor (such as Latin American studies, Africana studies, Middle Eastern studies, or Asian studies). Upper-level electives in related fields like history, sociology, economics, religious studies, modern languages, and political science are suggested. The program actively promotes participation in study abroad programs, ethnographic field schools, and internship experiences.