Department of Anthropology and Geography

Jennifer Helzer, Ph.D., Chair

Office: Bizzini Hall 215
Phone: (209) 667-3127

In addition in the programs in Anthropology and Geography listed below, this department administers the programs for the following interdisciplinary minors, open to students in any major:

Minor in Environmental and Resource Studies
Minor in Permaculture

Anthropology

Sari Miller-Antonio, Ph.D., Director

Professors: Akwabi-Ameyaw, Miller-Antonio
Assistant Professors: Bell, Wallace

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with concentrations in Ethnology, Physical Anthropology or Archaeology
Minor in Anthropology
Liberal Studies concentration in Anthropology
Social Sciences concentration in Anthropology

Liberal Studies Concentration in Anthropology

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Social Sciences Concentration in Anthropology

Please refer to the Social Sciences program section of the catalog.

Teaching Credentials

Anthropology majors interested in a Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program for a single subject credential should review the subject matter preparation program requirements described in the “Social Sciences” section of this catalog. Please refer to the Teacher Education section of this catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the single subject credential.

Learning Objectives

The Department of Anthropology and Geography asserts that successful completion of a B.A. degree in Anthropology satisfies the following objectives:

Master key concepts within the field of anthropology by acquiring an understanding of and an appreciation for the holistic relationship between culture and biology that is central to the 4-field discipline of anthropology.
Develop key general and specific skills including writing, research, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, public speaking, and computer skills as demonstrated in coursework and co-curricular activities, such as fieldwork, service learning projects, and public presentation of research results.
Cultivate a global awareness through the study of diversity within and across geographic regions to demonstrate a nuanced awareness of the increasing interdependency among societies around the world.
Demonstrate competency in specific skills required to produce meaningful research results in one or more of the subfields of anthropology. These skills encompass both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques and may include research methods appropriate to ethnographic/participant observation, data analysis, statistical analysis, forensics, and archaeological fieldwork.
Understand and apply anthropological theories and methods to real world problems through the internships, service learning projects, fieldwork, research projects, or study abraod experience required of all majors.
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the theoretical orientations and history of anthropological thought.

The Department supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses offered at CSU International Programs study centers abroad are equivalent to courses in the Department of Anthropology and Geography and may be used to fulfill requirements for degree options offered by the department and/or certain general education requirements. Students should consult the International Programs Bulletin (available at the circulation desk of the Library), a departmental adviser, and/or the campus International Programs adviser for more information.

Geography

Jennifer Helzer, Ph.D., Chair, Anthropology and Geography

Professor: Karlstrom
Associate Professor: Helzer
Assistant Professor: Hauselt

Office: Bizzini Hall 215
Phone: (209) 667-3127

Bachelor of Arts in Geography
Minor in Geography
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Geography
Social Sciences degree concentration in Geography

Geography is one of the few disciplines that comfortably bridge the social sciences, biophysical sciences, and humanities. The Bachelor of Arts program offers an international and integrative perspective on the relations among social, political, economic, and biophysical processes that affect interconnections between people, environments, and places. Students have the option to select one or more areas of concentration to complete the major: Cultural/Social Geography, Physical Geography & Environmental Studies, Geospatial Technology, Global Studies and Development, and California Studies. Geography prepares students for a variety of careers and/or advanced study by educating them about Earth patterns and processes and their social and economic context. It also provides students with an array of technical skills and sustainable methods that have practical application for examining key issues facing society and the environment. Geographers work in a variety of fields including urban and regional planning, transportation, sustainable development, natural resource management, public health, marketing, tourism, international business, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

The Department strongly supports field and international educational experiences and encourages students to investigate opportunities for fieldwork and overseas study. Certain study abroad courses, offered through the CSU International Programs, are equivalent to courses in the Department of Anthropology and Geography and may be used to fulfill requirements for degree options. Discuss the possibilities with a departmental adviser.

Geography administers the programs for the following interdisciplinary minors, open to students in any major:

Environmental and Resource Studies

Permaculture

Liberal Studies Concentration in Geography

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Social Sciences Concentration in Geography

Please refer to the Social Sciences program section of the catalog.

Teaching Credentials

Geography majors interested in a Single Subject Teaching Credential should review the Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program in this catalog. Please refer to the Teacher Education section of the Graduate catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the Single Subject Credential.

Learning Objectives

Geography majors will:

Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationships and interactions between society and the environment
Demonstrate general awareness of the theories and philosophies underlying geographical inquiry.
Demonstrate understanding of the natural and cultural processes that affect society and the environment in specific regions and locales.
Acquire awareness of the diversity of peoples, places, and environments within a specific region or around the world.
Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies that may be applied to help our communities,monitor natural areas, plan sensible urban developments, and observe human trends.
Acquire skills in geographic information science and understand the interpretive capacity of geospatial technologies, and their place in society.