About the Program
Within the Department of Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Programs (AIP), students may focus specifically on Anthropology, the holistic study of people across time and space, as a major or minor. Studying humans as both biological and cultural beings affected by their environment, anthropology is inherently interdisciplinary, bridging the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.
Anthropology is the full package deal. It is the study of culture, society, politics, and economics. Anthropology provides students with the tools for understanding our diverse communities, our pasts, and our futures. It provides the skills needed to address the most pressing issues of our time.
Anthropologists conduct rigorous research in the field, laboratory, classroom, and in their communities. The program at City College is designed to offer students a background in the four fields of the discipline:
♦ Archaeology ♦ Sociocultural Anthropology ♦ Linguistic Anthropology ♦ Biological Anthropology
Faculty Advising and Mentoring
Anthropology students become part of our academic community and are supported and encouraged by faculty advisors. As with every discipline in the Humanities and Social Sciences, professors provide guidance for research, seeking academic resources, applying to graduate schools, and mentorship in post- graduate endeavors.
Career Opportunities
Anthropology is perched at an exciting and vital moment in higher education, as it prepares students with the cross-cultural and global perspective necessary for a range of careers from engineering, education, urban planning, heritage management (i.e. museums and public archaeology) to social work, medicine, and allied professions.
Prepare for Graduate School
Anthropology serves majors and minors by providing a firm foundation for graduate school. Most importantly, it provides all students with a framework for understanding themselves in the context of their community, nation, and world. In a competitive job market, our anthropology students have respect for cultural differences and histories, a commitment to public and community engagement, and the edge because they are flexible, collaborative thinkers with real-life training in cross-cultural comparison that employers need.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Undergraduate B.A. Major
The City College of New York offers a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology, with basic and advanced courses, along with independent studies and courses on selected topics.
| REQUIRED COURSES | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANTH 20000: Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 20100: Cross-Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ANTH 20200: Language in Cross-Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ANTH 20300: Human Origins | 3 |
| One 30000-level course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
| ELECTIVE COURSES | Credits |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
| TOTAL B.A. CREDITS | 30 |
*As many as 6 of the 15 elective credits may be related courses outside the Department of Anthropology, e.g., courses in Asian Studies, Biology, Black Studies, History or Sociology. These courses must be chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Undergraduate Minor
| REQUIRED COURSES | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| ANTH XXXXX: Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL MINOR CREDITS | 15 |
All 15 credits must be courses within the Anthropology department. Consult with the Chair or Faculty Advisor.
Spring 2026 Featured Courses
ANTH 29800 -
Special Topics: Soc Justice
Liberation Stories (#34281)
This course offers an in-depth exploration of narrative power and its role in social movements, organizing, and activism. Students will engage with foundational texts, case studies, and practical exercises to understand how narratives shape public perception, influence policy, and build collective power. The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical frameworks with hands-on practice, enabling students to analyze and create powerful narratives that drive social change. Throughout the course, students will explore key themes such as movement-building principles, the role of somatics in narrative power, the impact of social movement traditions, and the strategic use of narrative in organizing and advocacy efforts. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the skills to craft and deploy narratives that challenge dominant power structures and foster a more just and equitable society.
Tue/Thu 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM | In Person | Prof. Matthews
ANTH 32100 -
Health Issues and Alternatives (#37303)
A comparative and holistic study of concepts and practices of wellness and healing in various cultures. The course examines the origins, philosophies and applications of diverse cultures' healing systems to the prevention and treatment of selected dis-ease conditions. The class will also explore the many alternative modalities now available in this area.
Wed 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Hybrid Asynchronous | Prof. Rodriguez
ANTH 32600 -
Anthropology of Disability (#37032)
This course introduces students to the anthropology of disability. It explores cross-cultural and sociopolitical questions around the body, impairment, ability, and how disability is key to theorizing difference, inclusion and the making of a broader humanity across cultural contexts. Texts include memoirs, ethnographies, and theories of disability.
Tue/Thu 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM | In Person | Prof. Silber
CCNY STUDENT RESOURCES
Last Updated: 01/20/2026 15:33