Anthropology

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Ever wonder what makes us human?  Anthropology helps us understand all aspects of the human experience from our primate roots to the development of societies, religion, and language.

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

Anthropology is the study of the organization, behavior, and development of the human species. Anthropology focuses on the acquisition of knowledge through use of the scientific method, allowing students to explain evolutionary theory in light of the human fossil record, analyze the relationship between modern humans and non-human primates, and objectively evaluate non-western customs and beliefs. 

Physical anthropology examines the fossil remains of ancestral humans and the behavior of primates in order to construct theories of how and why human beings have evolved. 

Cultural anthropology is concerned with the basic structures of human cultures, particularly with regard to subsistence strategies, social organization, language, religion, and political and economic systems.  

Students who major in Anthropology often have careers in social work, international affairs, teaching, politics, public health, and journalism. 
 

Program Length

This program can be completed in two years.

Transfer Options

IVC’s Anthropology for Transfer, AA-T, helps students transfer to the CSU system.  We encourage you to speak to one of our Anthropology instructors, or an IVC Academic Counselor, to help you plan a degree path that is right for your goals.

Program Specific Support

Your Support Team

Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond! 

Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

  • This is only a sample academic plan.  Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC AREA/MajorUNITS
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 10*Introduction to Statistics2A3
ANTH 2 or 2HCultural Anthropology4 & Major3
ArtsArts GE Course3A3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUNITS
WR 2College Writing 2 - Critical Thinking 1B4
ANTH 1 or 1HIntroduction to Physical Anthropology5B & Major3
ANTH 1 LABIntroduction to Physical Anthropology Lab5C1
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1C3
HumanitiesHumanities GE Course 3B3
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 9Introduction to Archeology4 & Major3
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE Course3A or 3B3
Physical SciencePhysical Science GE Course5A3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 3Culture and Language4 & Major3
Soc & Beh ScienceSocial and Behavior Sciences GE Course (Non-ANTH)43
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
  1. Students can take Math 10 or other math course that meets the UC transfer math requirement in IGETC Area 2.            
  • Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Language Other than English requirement necessary to meet Full IGETC Certification.
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUNITS
WR 1College Writing 1A24
MATH 10*Introduction to StatisticsB43
ANTH 2 or 2HCultural AnthropologyD & Major3
Learning & Self DevLifelong Learning and Self Development GE CourseE3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)1-2
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUNITS
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE CourseA33-4
ANTH 1 or 1HIntroduction to Physical AnthropologyB2 & Major3
ANTH 1 LABIntroduction to Physical Anthropology LabB31
COMM 1Communication FundamentalsA13
HIST 20 or HIST 21American.History CourseC23
ArtsArts GE CourseC13
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 9Introduction to ArcheologyD & Major3
Major CourseAnthropology AA-T Major Course/s from List BMajor4-6
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE CourseC1 or C23
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)2-3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 3Culture and LanguageD & Major3
Major CourseAnthropology Major Course from List B or CMajor3-4
PS 1American GovernmentD3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
  1. Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU transfer math requirement in CSU GE Area B4            
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUNITS
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH Math GE Course23-5
ANTH 2 or 2HCultural Anthropology4 & Major3
Lifelong Health*Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C2-3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUNITS
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE Course1C3-4
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1B3
ANTH 1 or 1HIntroduction to Physical Anthropology3 & Major3
Major CourseAnthropology Major Course from List AMajor3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 3Culture and Language5 & Major3
Major CourseAnthropology Major Course from List AMajor3
HumanitiesHumanities GE Course63
American InstitutionsAmerican Institutions GE Course83
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUNITS
ANTH 9Introduction to ArcheologyMajor3
Major CourseAnthropology Major Course from List AMajor3
FINE ArtsFine Arts and Languages GE Course73
Lifelong Health*Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
  1. Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 9A, 9B, and 9C. Please refer to the AA GE pattern for details.

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • AA = Associate of Arts
  • AS = Associate of Science
  • AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
  • AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
  • COA = Certificate of Achievement
  • COP = Certificate of Proficiency

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Not sure if Anthropology is the right fit?

That's OK!

Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Anthropology while still working toward your academic goals.

Learn More

Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.

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