Program Description
The Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology Concentration offers students a program of more focused coursework in sociocultural and linguistic anthropology.
Sociocultural anthropology is the study of the daily lives of people around the world, both at home and abroad. Sociocultural anthropologists conduct field research to get a hands-on feel for people's lives and passions. They examine everything from beauty pageants to political protest marches, from Pixar films to nuclear scientists' lab practices. Sociocultural anthropology distinguishes itself from other disciplines by its conviction that these local and personal details offer a wonderful window on the largest processes and problems of our time, from globalization to race relations and violence.
Linguistic anthropology complements sociocultural anthropology with detailed attention to spoken and signed languages-their structure and use in the daily lives of people around the world, both at home and abroad. Linguistic anthropologists examine such things as the "English Only" movement in the United States, the persuasive language of advertising and politics, racism and hate speech, oral/gestural storytelling traditions around the world, communication in the classroom or at the United Nations, as well as how the way we talk creates our sense of self and reality. Because the field of anthropology presents a wide range of disciplinary perspectives on the human condition, students electing this major concentration are encouraged to select from among relevant course offerings in archaeology or biological anthropology to fulfill General Education requirements.
All students must discuss their selection of coursework with a departmental adviser.
When a course is listed under two or more categories, the student may decide which of the requirements the course should fulfill; however, it may not be used to fulfill more than one of those requirements.
This program is a total of 45 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Anthropology Core Courses (9 credit hours)
Choose 3 of the following core courses. Students may make one substitution for 1 of the 3 required courses, choosing from the option listed.
- ANTH 220 Introduction to Archaeology (OR ANTH 105 World Archaeology)
- ANTH 230 Sociocultural Anthropology (OR ANTH 103 Anthro in a Changing World)
- ANTH 240 Biological Anthropology (OR ANTH 102 Human Origins and Culture)
- ANTH 270 Language in Culture (OR ANTH 104 Talking Culture)
Socio-cultural and Linguistic Anthropology Courses (21 credit hours)
- 3 courses from locations across at least 2 regions of the world
- 4 courses from theoretical or topical areas course offerings in socio-cultural and linguistic anthropology chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor. Four courses must be at the 300- or 400-level.
Additional/Related Courses (9 credit hours)
3 additional socio-cultural and linguistics anthropology courses or courses in related fields (9 credit hours) such as Sociology, Linguistics, Psychology, Education, History, Gender and Women's Studies, African American Studies, Latina/Latino Studies, Asian American Studies, African Studies, Jewish Studies that complement the student's sociocultural/linguistic focus.
Meet with the departmental advisor to discuss the selection of courses.
Research and Service Learning Coursework (3 credit hours)
Choose one of the following:
- ANTH 411 Research Methods in Cultural Anth
- ANTH 499 Research Methods in Linguistic Anthropology
Senior Capstone Project (3 - 6 credit hours)
Choose one option below in consultation with the departmental advisor:
Honors Thesis (6 credit hours)
Two consecutive semesters of research resulting in a written thesis
- ANTH 494- Honors Individual Study
- ANTH 495- Honors Senior Thesis
Departmental distinction: To be eligible for distinction, a student must complete 33 hours of anthropology courses (including at least 6 hours of both ANTH 494 and ANTH 495), maintain a 3.6 average in those hours and a 3.5 overall average. All candidates for distinction must submit a thesis for judgment by at least two members of the anthropology department.
Senior Capstone Seminar (Independent Research)- 3 credit hours
- ANTH 498 Senior Seminar
Internship (3 credit hours)
A portfolio and report associated with an approved departmental internship
- ANTH 390 Individual Study
Study Abroad (3 credit hours)
A portfolio and report associated with an approved Study Abroad experience
- ANTH 390 Individual Study
Research and/or Field School (3 - 6 hours)
Data analysis and a research report associated with one of the following:
- ANTH 454 Archaeology Field School and ANTH 455- Lab Analysis in Archaeology)
- ANTH 444 Methods in Bioanthropology and ANTH 445 Research in Bioanthropology
Undergraduate Studies Program Contact Information
Dr. Petra Jelinek, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Anthropology
University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign
109 Davenport Hall (MC‐148)
607 Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217)-265-0969
Email: elinek@illinois.edu
Dr. Maritza Quiñones, Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Department of Anthropology
University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign
109F Davenport Hall (MC‐148)
607 Mathews Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 265-8042
Email: quinonem@illinois.edu