Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Anthropology
The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Anthropology provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to receive an education in the broad field of anthropology - an examination of the human experience. Depending on their preferred focus, students can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Coursework in this program surveys both cultural and biological aspects of what it means to be human, and students will develop critical thinking skills through the analysis of real-world anthropological case studies. As such, students receive a holistic training in their worldview that is valued highly by employers in many fields, including health and human services, media, business, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and government agencies.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Develop an understanding of anthropology and how the subfields interrelate.
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of cultures, past and present, including ecological relationships, subsistence, social organization, and belief systems.
- Apply a holistic anthropological and culturally relativistic approach to understanding cultural similarities and differences and applying anthropology to local, national, and global human issues.
- Develop and apply critical thinking and observation skills through the analysis of real world anthropological case studies using the scientific method and multiple perspectives.
- Demonstrate the ability to obtain, critically read, analyze, summarize and critique anthropological research through use of appropriate source material.
- Utilize the scientific method to investigate the foundations of human biological variation through a critical evaluation of both ancient and recent human biological adaptation and evolution.
- Evaluate, through archaeological research, the processes of human cultural evolution, such as the origins of: language, agriculture, settled village and urban life, writing, religion, social inequalities and state formation.
- Apply anthropological ethical principles through the critical analysis of real world case studies.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Anthropologists and Archeologists
$61,390 Show expanded career information for Anthropologists and Archeologists
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
$76,740 Show expanded career information for Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,800 Show expanded career information for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Community Health Workers
$44,250 Show expanded career information for Community Health Workers
Curators
$54,520 Show expanded career information for Curators
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
$67,680 Show expanded career information for Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Fundraisers
$60,010 Show expanded career information for Fundraisers
Human Resources Specialists
$64,110 Show expanded career information for Human Resources Specialists
Interpreters and Translators
$37,840 Show expanded career information for Interpreters and Translators
Park Naturalists
$65,110 Show expanded career information for Park Naturalists
Quality Control Systems Managers
$124,170 Show expanded career information for Quality Control Systems Managers
Social and Community Service Managers
$69,700 Show expanded career information for Social and Community Service Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
$54,200 Show expanded career information for Social Science Research Assistants
Technical Writers
$81,600 Show expanded career information for Technical Writers
Urban and Regional Planners
$75,250 Show expanded career information for Urban and Regional Planners
- Fundraising Managers
- Public Relations Managers
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASB102 or ASM104 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB or SB, SG | 3–4 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
MA | Mathematics | Math requirement is dependent on the transfer plan selected | MA | 3–6 | |
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency | |||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASB102 or ASM104 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB or SB, SG | 3–4 | |
ASB222 or ASB223 | Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World or Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World | Critical course Gateway course | G, H, HU, SB or G, H, HU, SB | 3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 0–3 | ||
MAT206 or PSY230 or (PSY230 and PSY231) or PSY230WL or SWU225 | Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics) or Introduction to Statistics with Lab or Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government | MAT206 OR PSY230 OR SWU225 required for ASU BA, MAT206 is required for NAU, MAT206 OR PSY230 is required for U of A | CS or CS or CS or CS or CS | 3–4 | |
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | ASB course recommended | HU | 3 | |
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–3 | |||
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 | ||
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | ASB course recommended | SB | 3 | |
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | L | 3 | ||
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–4 | |||
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–3 | |||
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASB102 or ASM104 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB or SB, SG | 3–4 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASB102 or ASM104 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB or SB, SG | 3–4 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA | Mathematics | Math requirement is dependent on the transfer plan selected | MA | 3–6 | |
ASB222 or ASB223 | Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World or Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World | Critical course Gateway course | G, H, HU, SB or G, H, HU, SB | 3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 0–3 | ||
MAT206 or PSY230 or (PSY230 and PSY231) or PSY230WL or SWU225 | Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics) or Introduction to Statistics with Lab or Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government | MAT206 OR PSY230 OR SWU225 required for ASU BA, MAT206 is required for NAU, MAT206 OR PSY230 is required for U of A | CS or CS or CS or CS or CS | 3–4 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | ASB course recommended | HU | 3 | |
SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | ASB course recommended | SB | 3 | |
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | L | 3 | ||
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–4 | |||
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–3 | |||
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 9
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transfer Option | Transfer Option | 0–3 | |||
Second Language or Elective | Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
General Electives
Recommended:
ASB100 Introduction to Global Health
ASB211 Women in Other Cultures
ASB214 Magic, Witchcraft and Healing: An Introduction to Comparative Religion
ASB220 Anthropology Goes to the Movies
ASB226 Human Impacts on Ancient Environments
ASB230 Principles of Archaeology
ASB231 Archaeological Field Methods
ASB234 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt
ASB235 Southwest Archaeology
ASB245 Indians of the Southwest
ASB252 Sports and Culture
ASB253 Death and Dying Across Cultures
ASB282++ Service-Learning Experience in Anthropology
ASB298++ Special Projects
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=189977).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.