Anthropology

[heeroluva]

I’m currently a psychology major with a year left. I changed my major many times on my way their, but am luckily only graduating a year behind where I should have. At the beginning of last semester I was introduced to anthropology and absolutely fell in love. But I knew it was too late to change majors or transfer to another school. And I actually

Comments

[classicsstudent]

Well, I think you have several options, but I agree with everyone else that you are going to need to take more anthro classes before you apply for a PhD program

[heeroluva]

Yes, MST is part of the UM system. It was UMR until January of this year. I have a theory that they changed the name so that they don't have to offer as many humanities if they can it a science and tech school.
And yeah it always comes down to time and money it seems. I think I'm going to talk to potential advisors and see what they recommend, and then see where that leads.

[brittdreams]

Alright, I took the liberty of looking at the Fall 2008 course offerings and here are some things I think could help. (Though the suggestion to take courses at other UM schools is a great one!)

HISTORY 382 - The United States in Vietnam
Admittedly, that's Southeast Asia but still... could be useful.

HISTORY 299 - Historiography
Methods training will always serve you well.

HISTORY 270 - History Of Technology To 1900
If this isn't entirely US focused, it would have to cover East Asia

PHILOS 360 - Foundations Of Political Conflict

SP&M S 181 - Communication Theory

Given your interests, start learning French if you haven't already.

[heeroluva]

Thanks, for the input. Hist 382 is mostly all from the American side from what I understand. If it also took into considering the Vietnam side that would be great. Hist 299 I already took, great class. Hist 270 might be promicing. I need to contact the teacher and see the focus areas. I think I'll definately be taking Philo 360. And wow I never say SP&M 181, something I also need to take.
I'm not sure why I'd want to take French, since it isn't in the area I'm interested in.

[brittdreams]

French is a common language for anthropological texts and definitely for secondary sources and theoretical texts. Also, many programs require that you demonstrate proficiency in a relevant foreign language.

[heeroluva]

I don't think that's a relavent language for me. I'd say more along the lines of Japanese and Chinese. And from what I'm reading most of them don't require the language until you're working on your disseration, so I'd have pleanty of time in grad school to learn in.

[lyricon]

Another option to consider would be studying on your own. Look up anthropology courses and see if you can come by some of the required reading material, and then either buy these books or borrow them from the library. Preferably try and read enough books to reflect the reading you would do with an anthro minor, if not a major in the subject. In your SOP, you could directly acknowledge that you don't have a large number of anthropology classes available at your university, but that you have done your best to learn on your own. It would be best if you could talk about some of the books that you've read and discuss them intelligently in your SOP, and possibly also attach a list of recent reading materials. Although this is unusual, it might give a graduate admissions committee an idea of your level of commitment to the field.

[heeroluva]

I've done a little of that so far. I plan on doing a lot more over summer, when I don't have so much of a load.

[green273]

Actually my undergrad language was unrelated to my proposed area of study.

I'm sure there are some exciting possibilities for combining psych and anthro. Reconciliation of individual desire with cultural norms, and stuff like that. There seems to be a few people using psychoanalysis in their work. I'm interested in using it in mine.

But I agree with others who've said that taking time out would be an asset. Nothing can replace experience "in the field," which is what you'd have by living for a few years overseas.

[alunasa]

I'm in a similar situation myself, except that I started off as a Journalism Major and have since changed to Anthropology. It's difficult if your college doesn't offer anthropology classes, but this doesn't mean that it's