Chair

Christopher DeCorse
209 Maxwell Hall
315-443-2200

The Master of Arts degree signifies an important step in a student’s scholarly development.  The requirements for a Master of Arts degree in anthropology at Syracuse University emphasize comprehensive understanding of anthropology and the articulation of its various sub-fields. The department feels this is the core strength of their discipline.  Coursework and qualifying examinations reflect the department’s intent to expose students to the breadth of anthropology prior to engaging in more narrowly defined scholarly studies and doctoral research topics. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Explain and evaluate anthropological theory generally and apply relevant theories to specific anthropological problems
2. Describe, explain, and evaluate anthropological research methods applicable for their subfield and demonstrate ability to choose and use relevant research methods in relation to the examination of specific research problems
3. Demonstrate capacity to produce publishable quality research by formulating, designing, and conducting theoretically and methodologically rigorous research
4. In a chosen field of specialization, explain and illustrate the connections between social structure, cultural values, and individual experience; the functioning of social institutions; and the ways social inequality and power operate

Credit and core courses requirements

30 graduate credits that include at least five core courses, including a two-course sequence within their subdiscipline, (ANT 611 History of Anthropological Theory-ANT 711 Current Anthropological Theory for cultural students; ANT 641 Anthropological Archaeology-ANT 741 Archaeological Theory for archaeology students) and at least three core courses in other subdisciplines.

The core courses are

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ANT 611	History of Anthropological Theory	3
ANT 631	Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology	3
ANT 641	Anthropological Archaeology	3
ANT 672	Language, Culture, and Society	3
ANT 711	Current Anthropological Theory	3
ANT 741	Archaeological Theory	3

Additional Information

Students are expected to complete core courses and qualifying examinations within the first two years in residence.

Qualifying examination

Successful completion of the qualifying examinations in History of Anthropological Theory and Ethnography for cultural students and Archaeological Method and Theory for archaeology students.

Writing requirement

Students who do not continue beyond the master’s level are required to submit a master’s paper, which is a significant piece of work on a subject of the student’s choosing, and approved by the advisor. Minimally, it should demonstrate original thinking and knowledge of the literature on a given area, topic, or issue. See “Position Papers” for the writing requirements leading to a doctoral degree.

Tools and methods requirement

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Cultural students choose:
ANT 681	Ethnographic Techniques	3
Archaeology students choose one of the following:		3
ANT 642	Methods in Archaeology
ANT 644	Laboratory Analysis in Archaeology
Archaeology students must also fulfill a field training course or Field Program:		6
ANT 643	Advanced Field Methods in Archaeology
or complete an accredited archaeological field program.

Advisor and master’s committee

Students are expected to select an advisor by December 15 of their second year in residence. (The graduate director will serve as an interim advisor until an advisor is selected.)