Apr 24, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Department of Anthropology and Geography/Environmental Resources


This department has two independent academic programs.  The main contact person is listed below for each academic program.

Anthropology Richard Wallace, Ph.D., Director
Geography and Environmental Resources Peggy Hauselt Ph.D., Director and Department Chair 

Interdisciplinary Minors

In addition to the major programs in Anthropology and Geography and Environmental Resources listed below, the Anthropology program administers the following interdisciplinary minors, open to students in any major:

Geography and Environmental Resources program administers the following interdisciplinary minors, open to students in any major:

Anthropology

Richard Wallace, Ph.D., Director

Professor: Arounsack, Bell, Wallace, Miller-Antonio, Arounsack
Associate Professors: Frost
Assistant Professors: Logan, Pazan 

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

The Anthropology major offers basic preparation for careers requiring contemporary cross-cultural understanding and awareness of cultural heritages. Due to the growing global nature of today’s job market, cross-cultural training is often an employment prerequisite. The major emphasizes archaeology, cultural, biological, medical, visual, and applied aspects of anthropology. It is also designed for students planning to teach social and biological sciences, and for students preparing for graduate work in anthropology and its various geographical areas/interdisciplinary specializations such as Latin American Studies, Asian Studies and African Studies.Training in Anthropology is ideal for pursuing a career in many related fields such as forensic science, biology, medicine, public health, law, ux (user experience) research, marketing and market research, public administration, community development, urban planning, and environmental conservation.

Programs

Geography and Environmental Resources

Peggy Hauselt Ph.D., Director and Department Chair 

Professor: Hauselt, Helzer, Avwunudiogba
Associate Professor: Díaz-Garayúa, McNally

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

The Geography and Environmental Resources Bachelor of Science offers an integrative perspective on the relations among social, political, economic, and biophysical processes that affect interconnections between people, environments, and places starting with a 25 unit upper-division core. Students then select one or more areas of concentration to complete the major: Applied Geography (12 units) or Environmental Resources (15 units). The major prepares students for a variety of careers and/or advanced study by educating them about Earth’s patterns and processes and their social, economic, and resource context. It also provides students with an array of technical skills and sustainable methods that have practical application for examining key issues facing society, resource use, and the environment. Students will be prepared for a variety of fields including geospatial technology, urban and regional planning, transportation, sustainable development, natural resource management, public health, marketing, tourism, international business, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. 

Experiential learning, community engagement, and service learning are hallmarks of the program. Additionally, the program 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 Geography & Environmental Resources and may be used to fulfill requirements for degree options.

Programs

Program Learning Outcomes

Anthropology Program Learning Outcomes

Anthropology majors will be able to:

  1. Recognize the value of diversity in contemporary and past societies and cultures around the world.
  2. Explain the holistic relationship between human culture and biology that is central to the 4-field discipline of anthropology.
  3. Apply anthropological perspectives to real world problems. 
  4. Demonstrate strong analytical reasoning, critical thinking, public speaking, and professional writing skills in anthropological coursework and co-curricular activities.
  5. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the theoretical orientations and development of anthropological thought.
  6. Demonstrate advanced skills in research methods appropriate to one or more of the subfields of anthropology.

Geography and Environmental Resources Program Learning Outcomes

Geography/Environmental Resources majors will:

  1. Demonstrate skills in geospatial analysis and understand the interpretive capacity of geospatial technologies and their place in society.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the earth’s physical and environmental processes.
  3. Analyze the natural and human processes that affect society and the environment in specific regions and locales.
  4. Apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies to help our communities, monitor natural areas, plan sensible urban developments, and observe human trends.
  5. Examine the diversity of peoples, places, and environments within a specific region or around the world.
  6. Evaluate the theories and philosophies underlying geographical and environmental inquiry.