Considerations when choosing a major

The program in ethnology and linguistic anthropology emphasizes the productive relationships between anthropological theory and practice by encouraging students to pursue research that addresses the concerns of the people with whom they work while at the same time sharpening the focus and purpose of sociocultural theory. The program offers a strong foundation in sociocultural theory, the anthropology of language, and public anthropology. Key concerns include cultural and linguistic revitalization, gender, ethnicity, nationalism, transnationalism, human rights, expressive culture, land, water, health, historical consciousness, public policy, ritual, and tourism. Methodological training in ethnographic fieldwork, visual documentation, and the analysis of speech-based interaction is regularly offered. Special strengths include Latin America, the U.S. Southwest, and Native North America.
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Students in the first year of the Ethnology/Linguistics program (in either the M.A. or Ph.D. program) are required to take three seminars in addition to electives of their own choosing. These required seminars include a two part sequence on the history of anthropological theory taught over the course of the fall and spring semesters (Anth 546 and Ath 547) and one seminar that serves as an introduction to linguistic anthropology (Anth 510). These three courses form the basis for the Master's Comprehensive Examination, held in the August preceding students' second year. The exam consists of essay three essay questions. Because this exam serves as a Ph.D. qualifying exam, all students, even those entering with Master's degrees are required to take this exam.

In addition, other courses are also required during the first few years of graduate study. One "methods course," or in other words, a course that focuses on a method of ethnographic research, is required. A list of the courses meeting this requirement will be issued each fall. Four additional seminars in the Ethnology/Linguistics Program are also required. In general, a seminar is a graduate level course that meets for 21/2 to 3 hours once a week. Students going on for a Ph.D. also might want to consider taking courses in a relevant foreign language as two languages are required for a doctorate. One language can, however, be substituted by taking two courses at or above a 300 level in a relevant "skill," such as statistics, demography, photography, or video making. The language requirement can also be met by successful completion of a departmental examination (see page 19 in the Student Handbook for more details). In consultation with his or her faculty advisor, a student should choose methods courses, seminars, and other elective courses according to his or her particular focus. (Those students entering with a Master's degree will, upon consultation with the graduate advisor, usually be able to obtain credit for at least some of the anthropology seminars and methods courses completed elsewhere.)

A Master's degree is usually awarded in the second year This takes place after the Master's Comprehensive Exam has been passed and a methods course and four seminars have been successfully taken, in addition to any other courses needed to fulfill a total of 32 hours of coursework with a 3.97 GPA or higher. At this point, a student begins to focus more directly on his or her dissertation research. During the second year, a student 1)writes a focus statement discussing his or her plans for future research; 2)begins to form their doctoral committee; and 3)prepares for the Specials Exam (also known as the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam). Students should work with their committee members to decide the format and content of their Specials Exam. These exams cover broad areas of theory, background and ethnography related to the student's dissertation research. A student prepares three reading lists on appropriate substantive areas, usually one geographic and two topical ones (see page 22 in the Student Handbook for more details).

Reading done for the Specials Exam forms the basis for the dissertation proposal. Before embarking on field research, a student must present a written summary of the proposed investigation, explaining how research is to be conducted and treated in the dissertation. Students are responsible for initiating consultation with their dissertation committee and other faculty as appropriate for defining a suitable problem and outlining specific research goals and methodology. Proposals should discuss the problem to be addressed, its relevance to the field, relevant theoretical publications, methods to be used, types of data to be collected, and schedule of research activities. During this third and fourth year in the program, while working on their Special Exam reading list and proposal, students continue to take courses in order to fulfill the 16 more hours of course work needed for a doctoral degree.

Once the proposal has been passed by the student's committee members and the Ethnology/Linguistic faculty as a group, a student begins fieldwork. This usually takes place in the fifth year in the program. A Ph. D. is awarded, after field research has been completed, the dissertation is written and has been successfully defended.

For a more detailed look at the Ethnology/Linguistics curriculum, please refer to the graduate handbook, p.16.
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Comprehensive Exams

The Comprehensive Examination serves as a Master's Exam and as a Ph.D. Qualifying Exam, which must be taken at the beginning of the fall semester of the second year. It is a take-home exam distributed on the Monday before fall semester classes start and due on the following Monday. Depending on level of performance on a 1-6 scale, qualify to enter the Ph.D. program (4.5 minimum), be awarded a master's pass (4.0 minimum), or students may fail the exam. Students who qualify may enter the Ph.D. program provided they complete they complete the four additional seminars at the doctoral level and an acceptable master’s focus. No student in the Department is given more than two opportunities to pass this exam. The exam must be retaken the next time it is offered. Master's comps are based on the Ethnology Reading List current during the student's first year of course work. Copies will be mailed as soon as possible after the student has accepted admission.The exam will consist of three essay questions, to be chosen from seven. Two faculty members, who will not know the student’s name, will read each student’s answer. Responses will be distributed equally among the faculty in residence during the particular semester of the examination. Results of the examination will be available two weeks after their completion.

For more information on the Graduate Ethnology/Linguistics Comprehensive Exam, please refer to the graduate handbook pp.17-18.
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Ph.D. requirements

Ph.D. Requirements: The Doctoral Exam, in Ethnology, is a two-part exam consisting of the Specials examination and the Dissertation Proposal. Either part may be completed first, but the exam finished second shall be considered Ph.D. Comprehensive exam and will be submitted on a formal exam form to the Graduate Studies office.

Students should work with their Committee on Studies to decide a format for the Doctoral Specials Examination (closed book, take-home, or oral) and select a tentative date. This would normally be scheduled after two and before four semesters of doctoral study.

For more information on the Doctoral Ethnology/Linguistics Comprehensive Exam, please refer to the graduate handbook p. 22
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