NEW PROGRAM/MAJOR/MINOR PROPOSAL FORM
PROPOSED BY: _DR. FRANK HUTCHINS___________
PROPOSAL DATE: 8/25/11___
I. PROGRAM/MAJOR INFORMATION
1. Program Title: ___Minor in Anthropology______
2. Department/Program and School/College in which the Program/Major will be housed:
Dept.:___Psychology (Sociology/CJS)___ School/College:___Arts & Sciences_____
3. What degree will the program offer? ______Minor__ Rationale:
A Minor in Anthropology would offer a cross-cultural and international component to our degree
choices at Bellarmine. It would pair well with majors that channel students into careers in which
they will encounter cultural diversity and a wide range of global issues. These would include
business, economics, history, communications, FLIS, and political science. This minor would
offer Sociology and Psychology majors a theoretical and practical foundation for working with
people from a variety of backgrounds, which is increasingly the case in these professions. Health
sciences and education students who can fit the minor requirements into their schedules would
have an enhanced set of skills for working with patients, health care professionals, and students
who are ethnically diverse. Required and elective geography courses are included in the minor so
that students better grasp relationships between people and the places they inhabit. Finally, the
Minor in Anthropology would represent a concrete and long-term commitment to our QEP
objectives, and to goal #4 of our General Education goals.
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Number of credit hours in the Program/Major: __18____
Rationale for the Number of Credit Hours: ____Nine hours of required courses will help students in the
minor develop a base of common knowledge about cultural anthropology and human geography,
and expose them to social science theory that informs both disciplines. They will also explore
ethnography in theory and practice. The remaining three courses allow students to develop a
more specialized understanding of subfields (religion, medical anthropology, environmental
anthropology) that are useful not only in anthropology and geography, but as supplements to
other majors on campus (nursing, business, history, political science, sociology, psychology, or
theology, for example)_______________________________________________
5. When is the program/major to begin? ______Spring 2012___________________________
6. Program/major student learning outcomes:
1) a deeper, more theoretically grounded understanding of human cultures, with particular
consideration of the variability across cultures in values, norms, common understandings,
behaviors, and worldviews.
2) an enhanced skill set for identifying, understanding, and analyzing the myriad ways that
people and places mutually influence one another
1
3) the ability to think critically about processes of global change, especially with regard to
questions about social justice, cultural change, and the environmental consequences of
globalization
7. Please provide a curricular overview of the courses in the new program/major (attach
list/chart). By what date will any new course proposal forms and syllabi be brought to the
appropriate Educational Affairs Committee? __Below are courses students can draw from to
create the minor (all courses have been approved by the EAC)
Required:
ANTH 111 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology: An introduction to the perspectives and
methods of cultural anthropology. Topics covered include the nature of culture; the relation of
culture to language; the importance of the environment for human societies; and a cross-cultural
examination of family structure, social organization, political and economic systems, religion,
and the impact of social and cultural change.
GEOG 175 – Introduction to Human Geography: Evolution of geographical concepts and
models associated with notable geographers. Key concepts underlying the geographical
perspective: location, space, place, scale, pattern, regionalization, and globalization.
ANTH 205 – Theory and Methods in Anthropology: This course is an introduction to some of
the historical and contemporary thought and practice that has produced today’s cultural
anthropology. The various theories look at fundamental questions about human diversity, and
introduce research methods designed to gain insight into the collective thoughts, behaviors, and
material productions that reflect culture.
Select three courses from the following:
ANTH 215 – The Anthropology of the Supernatural and Sacred: This course focuses crossculturally on belief systems and practices that are “beyond the natural.” In many societies, this
would be called religion, but the course is more extensive in that other meanings systems
involving the supernatural, such as shamanism and magic, are also explored. The course studies
these beliefs as a way of gaining cultural insight, to better understand how and why people seek
metaphysical experiences.
ANTH 310 – The Anthropology of Mind and Body: This course is a cross-cultural introduction
to medical anthropology, one of the fastest growing sub-fields within cultural anthropology. The
course introduces students to the variety of ways that people from different cultures experience
sickness and healing, incorporating both physical and mental health, and the way they
understand their bodies as physical and spiritual entities within a larger universe. TO BE
SUBMITTED IN FALL 2011 FOR APPROVAL AS PERMANENT COURSE (but currently
being taught as a special topics course).
ANTH 325 – Anthropology and the Environment: This course considers how cultures around the
world perceive, interpret, and develop unique relationships with their natural surroundings. One
key objective is to understand “environmentalisms;” the fact that there are multiple ways of
seeing and interacting with our surroundings. We also think about the ethical implications of the
consequences of this interaction, which is often affected by social, political, and economic
inequalities.
ANTH 241 – Special Topics in Anthropology (sophomore level) (examples of such courses are
ANTH 241H Applied Anthropology, and ANTH 241FG Introduction to Archaeology, both
offered Fall 2011)
2
ANTH 441 – Special Topics in Anthropology (senior level) (An example of a course at this level
would be Global Change and Social Transformation, taught in Fall 2009 as SOC 341 Special
Topics)
ENVS 130 – Understanding Planet Earth (this is a physical geography class, and has been added
in consultation with Dr. Kate Bulinksi, who teaches the class, and Dr. Rob Kingsolver, as Dean
and Director of Environmental Studies.)
8. Catalog Description for the Program/major:
The Minor in Anthropology is designed to supplement the major degrees of students who want to
add a cross-cultural and global perspective to their academic experience. The program takes
students through introductory levels in anthropology and human geography, into the theories and
methods that help define the disciplines, and finally to more focused topics that include
opportunities to apply anthropological and geographical knowledge through fieldwork. Several
courses allow students to narrow their focus to particular topics that are heavily influenced by
culture, such as religion, health, and human relationships with the environment.
______________________________________________________________________________
II. RATIONALE, CURRICULAR IMPACT, AND ASSESSMENT
1. Rationale for the introduction of the program/major, including its “fit” with our mission and
Vision 2020: __
“It is true that neither the ancient wisdoms nor the modern sciences are complete in themselves.
They do not stand alone. They call for one another."
— Thomas Merton (On Non-Violence)
Through its unique tools for inquiry and analysis, and its historical depth and breadth of
perspective, the discipline of anthropology aims to better understand humans in their biological,
linguistic and cultural diversity. Anthropologists seek not only to understand the “ancient
wisdoms” and the “modern sciences,” but to validate the diversity of lifeways and philosophies
that emerge from myriad ways of thinking about and being in the world.
The Vision 2020 document repeatedly mentions the goal of having Bellarmine University
become one of the leading independent universities in the south. Several universities are listed as
having achieved the reputation for which we are aiming (Duke, Notre Dame, Emory, Vanderbilt,
Case Western Reserve), and all have top-notch anthropology programs at both graduate and
undergraduate levels. An anthropology minor at Bellarmine is the first step toward meeting the
needs of students with diverse career paths. As broad-based disciplines that span the social and
natural sciences, geography and anthropology also provide students with important critical
thinking and analytical skills that are crucial as career paths take the twists and turns that
characterize the modern labor market. Taking globalization into account, most any graduate of
our university would be a more attractive job candidate with a minor in anthropology. I firmly
believe personal lives are also enriched by having deeper insights and a more sophisticated
appreciation for the contexts that shape economies, social lives, security issues, and international
politics. For those students choosing to pursue a graduate degree and future employment as
anthropologists, the job prospects are bright. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics'
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, projected job growth for anthropologists
and archaeologists is anticipated to be 28%. The median starting salary in 2010-2011 for anyone
3
who majored in anthropology is $36,200.
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Procedures used to establish that this program/major avoids substantial duplication with other
programs/majors:
Anthropology and geography are new disciplines at Bellarmine, with the exception of some
ANTH 111 courses taught as SOC 111 by Sociology faculty prior to Fall 2008. Thus, there is no
concern with duplication of other programs or majors.__________
3. List all departments or programs (including general education courses) affected by this new
program/major (include descriptions of communications with chairs/directors/deans of these
areas):
ENVS 130 is the only class outside the home department that is included in offerings for the
minor. Both Dr. Kate Bulinski (professor for the class) and Dr. Rob Kingsolver have approved
listing this course along with anthropology and geography classes.
4. List new educational resources needed (library holdings, technology, equipment, materials)
Dr. Hutchins, with generous support from library staff, has been building anthropology and
geography resources over the past three years. The only technology needs anticipated in the short
term are hardware and software upgrades to support GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
projects. Bellarmine currently has GIS software, but it should be upgraded. We are working
within the geography initiative of the QEP to acquire GPS units that would also support GIS
research.______________________________________________________
8. Does this /major/program address the learning objectives of the QEP? __X_YES _____NO
If yes, describe how, making reference to the outcomes noted on the last page of this document:
The anthropology minor is a logical fit with our QEP objectives, and will offer solid evidence to
SACS of our commitment to the goal of internationalizing the campus. Specifically, the minor
will connect directly to the following outcomes:
•Compare and contrast similarities and differences among peoples, religions, customs, arts, and
cultures of the world.
•Demonstrate an improved understanding of geography.
•Apply a global perspective to analyses of social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
Each anthropology and geography class in the minor aims, explicitly or implicitly, for the
outcomes listed above. These classes are by definition cross-cultural, and are built around a
comparative understanding of people and places both within and beyond the borders of the
United States. ANTH 111 introduces students to the basic concepts in cultural anthropology
through the study and discussion of case studies from around the world. The perspectives
associated with cultural relativism and ethnocentrism are a major focus early on in this class,
which forces students to stand before the cultural mirror and critically consider similarities and
differences – and the consequences of these – amongst the diversity of human groups on this
planet. GEOG 175 also considers cultural difference, but with particular emphasis on
relationships to the places in which we live. By understanding the mutual influences between
people and places, students appreciate more deeply our variable expressions of values, norms,
4
and understandings of the natural environment. ANTH 205 (Theory and Methods in
Anthropology) helps students build a foundation for understanding how anthropology developed,
its intellectual history, its sometimes contentious pursuit of a deeper understanding of humanity,
and its methods for gathering and analyzing research data.
___________________________________________________________________________
III. MARKET VIABILITY
1. Briefly describe the market for this program/major and the means used to determine the
strength of the market.
“(A)nthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths: the
course of study provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st
century in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.”
From Anthropology: Education for the 21st Century, published by the American Anthropological
Association at http://www.aaanet.org/profdev/careers/careers.cfm
The minor in anthropology will complement existing majors, giving these students an increased
level of cultural competency and spatial thinking that should enhance job prospects in their
fields. For those who choose a career as an anthropologist, the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics'
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, indicates job growth for anthropologists
and archaeologists is anticipated to be 28%.
________________________________________________________________________
2. Please note any competing programs/majors in the surrounding market.
University of Louisville: Offers both BA and MA in Anthropology. The Dept. of Geography and
Geosciences offers an MS in Applied Geography, a BS in Applied Geography, and minors in
environmental analysis, and urban and regional analysis.
University of Kentucky: Offers BA and BS, and PhD programs in biological and cultural
anthropology, and archaeology. Offers BA and BS, and MA and PhD programs in Geography.
Indiana University Southeast: Offers a Geography minor, but no degrees in Anthropology
Centre College: Offers an Anthropology/Sociology BA and a minor in Anthropology
______________________________________________________________________________
IV. RESOURCES
Please note substantive, new resources (faculty, staff, equipment, special facilities, etc.) this new
program will require.
The minor in anthropology would require no new permanent resources, but would benefit from
adjunct-taught courses, especially those that would add to the Special Topics offerings. We
currently have an adjunct (Dr. Tim Sullivan) teaching ANTH 111 (Spring 2011) and ANTH 241
Introduction to Archaeology (Fall 2011).
V. REVIEWS AND APPROVALS
5
1.
Department/Program Action:
_____Approved
_____Not Approved
Department/Program Chair Signature: _________________________ Date__________
2.
Proposal must be reviewed by the Registrar, Library Director, and Director of Academic
Projects (Academic Affairs) before submission to the College or School.
Registrar Reviewed
Signature/Date:__________________
Library Director Reviewed Signature/Date:__________________
Director of Academic Projects Signature/Date:__________________
3.
College/School Action:
_____Approved
Dean’s Signature:
_______________________ Date
_________
_________
_________
_____Not Approved
__________________
4.
Faculty Council Coordinating Committee Review: As stated in Chapter 2 (University
Governance System), all course, program, and curricular issues, having first been sent to the
Faculty Council Coordinating Committee after School approval, will be sent to the
Undergraduate Affairs or Graduate Affairs Committee.
5.
Educational Affairs Committee Action:
Approved
Not Approved
Sent to Graduate Educational Affairs Committee
_____Approved
_____Not Approved
Date: __________________
Signature of Chair: _________________________________________
***Ed Affairs Chair will forward final proposal to the Registrar for permanent archival***
NOTE: A program/major proposal is first brought to the appropriate Educational Affairs Committee for
careful review. After this review/process commences, the chair of this committee will ask that the new
course proposal forms and syllabi be brought to the committee in a separate meeting for careful
consideration.
QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN (QEP) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
6




Compare and contrast similarities and differences among peoples, religions, customs, arts, and
cultures of the world.
Demonstrate basic communication skills in a foreign language.
Demonstrate an improved understanding of geography.
Apply a global perspective to analyses of social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
7