Computer Science + Anthropology
Understanding and analyzing the interface between culture and technology has never been more important.
How do we analyze memes, emojis, and language on social media? How does culture shape technology and technology shape culture? Does technology bridge inequalities or make them even wider? Anthropologists use computational tools and algorithms to analyze substantial amounts of data, gathered from a field site or by studying online social communities and social networks, to consider these questions.
Through this work, anthropologists consider the humanity within technology.
In computer science + anthropology, students will gain the knowledge necessary to use computer, social, and behavioral sciences within larger cultural questions of globalization, community, security, the ethics of privacy, social transformation, and social justice. This program prepares students for specializations in biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, computational anthropology, and archeology as well as CS-related work in social media, UX design, user experience research, product management, and online communities.
Here's what CS + ANTH majors had to say about the program:
Interview with Austin Sun, CS+Anthro graduating senior (2020)
"Computer Science helps me to understand the mechanics of space, and Anthropology helps me to understand what human do in those spaces."
"I'm excited about the unexpected merging of CS +ANTH. I didn't realize all the possibilities. From realizing past worlds through satellite images to studying Twitch.tv, I've been able to use computers to understand how communities form and maintain themselves."
Anthropology Degree Requirements
CS + Anthropology Program 24 hours minimum (12 hours must be at a 3xx or 4xx level) ~ 66 hours total
Students may make only one substitution for 1 of the required courses, choosing from the options listed in parentheses.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 12-18 | Required Foundation Courses (select at least 4 of the following courses) |
| ANTH 101-Intro to Anthropology | |
| ANTH 220-Intro to Archaeology (or ANTH 105) | |
| ANTH 230-Sociocultural Anthropology (or ANTH 103) | |
| ANTH 240-Biological Anthropology (or ANTH 102) | |
| ANTH 270-Language in Culture (or ANTH 104) | |
| ANTH 374-Anth of Science and Technology (or ANTH 372) | |
| 6-9 | Electives (Substitutions with permission of advisor) |
| ANTH 241-Human Variation and Race | |
| ANTH 268-Images of the Other | |
| ANTH 362-Body, Personhood, and Culture | |
| ANTH 368-'America' in the World | |
| ANTH 399JD2-Animal Ecologies or ANTH 375-The Culture of Nature | |
| ANTH 399 JG-Youth and Culture | |
| ANTH 411 Methods of Cultural Antropology | |
| ANTH 423-Economic Anthropology | |
| ANTH 453-Landscape Archaeology | |
| ANTH 499CR-Evolutionary Theory | |
| 3 | Senior Capstone Project (Optional)—Combines CS & Anthropology |
Computer Science Degree Requirements
See the Department of Computer Science website for their degree requirements and CS FAQ
For more information, contact Anthropology Academic Advisor