Anthropology and Languages
| Anthropology, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Shoshoni, A.A. | Degree | A.A. |
| Anthropology, Minor | Minor | |
| American Indian Studies, Minor | Minor | |
| Latino Studies, Minor | Minor | |
| Linguistics, Minor | Minor | |
| Cultural Resources Management, Certificate | Certificate | |
| Forensic Sciences, Certificate | Certificate | |
| Medical Anthropology, Academic Certificate | Certificate | |
| Accelerated Spanish, B.A./M.A. | Degree | B.A./M.A. |
| Spanish, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Spanish for the Health Professions, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Spanish, Minor | Minor | |
| Japanese, Minor | Minor | |
| Japanese, Advanced Certificate | Certificate | |
| Spanish, Advanced Certifcate | Certificate | |
| Japanese, Basic Certificate | Certificate | |
| Spanish, Basic Certificate | Certificate |
- Mission
- Undergraduate Anthropology Learning Objectives And Outcomes
- Undergraduate Language Learning Objectives And Outcomes
- Language Placement Testing
- Credit through C.L.E.P. and Other Approved Examinations
- Language Requirement for International Students
- Vertical Credits
- Departmental Grade Requirement
- Anthropology and Languages Faculty
- ANTH Courses
- Arabic Courses
- Chinese Courses
- Comparative Literature Courses
- French Courses
- German Courses
- Japanese Courses
- Languages and Literatures Courses
- Russian Courses
- SHOS Courses
- Spanish Courses
Mission
The Department of Anthropology and Languages is committed to fostering a deep understanding of human diversity, past and present. By exploring the biological, socio-cultural, archaeological, and linguistic dimensions of human experience, we empower students to become critical thinkers, worldly citizens, and effective problem-solvers. Our programs provide rigorous academic training in anthropology and language studies, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing global challenges. Through research, teaching, and community engagement, we strive to preserve cultural heritage, promote intercultural dialogue, and contribute to a more just and equitable world.
The Anthropology program offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees. For a full description of the M.A. and M.S. degrees, refer to the Graduate Catalog. The Anthropology major provides training in the four sub-disciplines of archaeology, biological anthropology, anthropological linguistics, and sociocultural anthropology. The department also offers an Associate of Arts degree in Shoshoni; minors in Anthropology, American Indian Studies, Latino Studies, and Linguistics; and specialization in archaeological science, ecological anthropology, medical anthropology, applied anthropology, forensics, and language preservation.
The Languages program offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Master of Arts degrees. For a full description of the M.A. degrees, refer to the Graduate Catalog. The Languages program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish for the Health Professions, minors and certificates in Spanish and Japanese, and courses in Spanish, Japanese, French, German, and Russian. These courses prepare students for careers in the health professions, interpreting, translation, business, marketing, government, teaching, research, and public service. Language majors are expected to achieve satisfactory levels of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing and to acquire knowledge of the literature, history, and culture of a language. In addition, majors in languages can pursue interdisciplinary studies in related fields or add to more professional fields a foundational linguistic component advantageous for employment opportunities.
Undergraduate Anthropology Learning Objectives And Outcomes
Program Objectives – Students who have completed an undergraduate major in Anthropology at Idaho State University should be able to:
- Understand basic methods, concepts, theories and approaches, and modes of explanation appropriate to each of the sub-fields of the discipline.
- Read and understand anthropological theory at the level of Bachelor of Arts.
- Understand the use of quantitative and qualitative analyses in anthropological research.
- Understand a comparative approach to the human condition, both cross-culturally and chronologically.
- Demonstrate technical writing skills at the level of Bachelor of Arts.
Learning Outcomes – Students in the Senior Seminar will demonstrate the following competencies based on the above objectives:
- Apply knowledge of anthropological methods, approaches, and modes of explanation to contemporary social issues.
- Use theory to formulate a testable explanation for a given cultural behavior.
- Select and perform quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques at a basic level.
- Carry out a research project using cross-cultural and/or diachronic comparative methods.
- Write a competent senior research paper.
Undergraduate Language Learning Objectives And Outcomes
- Develop an understanding of global issues;
- Understand and appreciate cultural perspectives;
- Be sensitive to cultural differences;
- Be able to apply alternative perspectives to cultural issues.
- Research, write professionally, and communicate orally;
- Evaluate evidence;
- Analyze and evaluate the feasibility of a variety of coping strategies;
- Make appropriate decisions;
- Develop and maintain appropriate professional and interpersonal relationships.
Language Placement Testing
It is strongly recommended that all students with previous experience in French, German, or Spanish who have not yet taken a course in the language at Idaho State University should contact the Department of Anthropology and Languages at (208) 282-3043. Students with no experience in a language should enroll in the first course in the language (i.e., FREN 1101).
Credit through C.L.E.P. and Other Approved Examinations
Students may receive up to 12 credits by examination (C.L.E.P., BYU FLATS Language Exams, or other exams approved by the Department) to be applied to their ISU transcripts with an "S" grade. Students who are proficient in a language other than English may satisfy one component of Objective 4 of the General Education Requirements by successfully earning four credits on one of these exams.
Language Requirement for International Students
International students cannot apply their native languages to partial fulfillment of Objective 4 of the General Education Requirements. Instead, their passing ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with at least a C- average will serve the dual purpose of fulfilling Objective 1 and partially fulfilling Objective 4
Vertical Credits
Students who successfully complete a foreign language class at ISU may earn up to eight credits (one year’s worth of language classes) for prerequisite courses not taken or tested out of. For example, students who pass Spanish 2201 with a grade of B- or higher can contact the Department of Anthropology and Languages, pay a $20 fee for them to start the petition to receive credit for Spanish 1101 and 1102. Vertical credits are available only as resident credits, that is, when the initial, higher-level course is completed at ISU. Placement into courses that allow for vertical credits is dependent upon approval from ISU’s Anthropology and Languages Department. Petition must be started the same semester of the passed the course.
Departmental Grade Requirement
All courses required for the majors and minors must be completed with a minimum grade of C- (C minus).