Anthropology, M.A.

Student Learning Outcomes

 

All graduates will be able to:

1.  Creative and critical reasoning.
   1. Demonstrate the ability to present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion of the role of their area of specialization within the broader historical and contemporary field of general anthropological theory.
   2. Ability to present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion of the relevance of their specific research project to the goals of their area of specialization.
   3. Able to present a professional, peer-to-peer level, written discussion, including reasoned opinions about, non-anthropological and/or nonacademic social issues/concerns related to general anthropology as well as their area of specialization.
   4. Demonstrate an understanding and ability to discuss the relevance of, ethical standards within the profession generally and their area of specialization in particular.
   5. Formulate original ideas about their research topic, and are they able to relate these ideas to those of other scholars in the relevant literature.
2.  Information and data gathering.
   1. Demonstrate expertise in knowledge of the historical background, current trends, and major leaders in the field(s) of research relevant to their area of specialization.
   2. Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of traditionally published data and the strengths and weaknesses of such data.
   3. Provide a well-reasoned explanation for their selection of data and analytical techniques.
   4. Demonstrate an understanding of the differences between, and appropriate uses of, both qualitative and quantitative data.
   5. Demonstrate the ability to apply systematic techniques in their data collection and analysis.
3.  Communication skills.
   1. Write a clear and concise statement defining their research topic.
   2. Write an adequate contextual statement for their research topic.
   3. Present a clear statement of their research methods.
   4. Write a well-reasoned interpretation of their analysis.
   5. Write a unifying conclusion statement.
   6. Demonstrate a mastery of their area of specializations style and citation standards.
   7. Make a clear and concise verbal presentation before a professional audience that includes a statement of their topic, the context of their question, a description of their data and analysis, and a summary of their interpretations.
   8. Demonstrate the ability to respond adequately to questions from a professional audience.
4.  Analytical reasoning.
   1. Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced systematic techniques or theory in their data analysis.
   2. Select appropriate quantitative or qualitative assessment techniques in-line with their research question.
   3. Discuss the strengths, weaknesses, limitations, etc. of their data selection and collection techniques (sample bias).
   4. Make reasonable interpretations from their theoretical perspective and/or analyses.
   5. Discuss reasonable alternative interpretations.
5.  Specialization of study.
   1. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of their topic and the broader academic, and non-academic contexts of their area of specialization.
   2. Formulate a reasonable question that is compatible with current trends within their defined field of specialization.
   3. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of types of data and analytical techniques appropriate to their area of specialization and their research question.
   4. Effectively consider how subjective and objective aspects of data identification, collection, and analysis may have shaped current thinking and their own interpretations within their area of specialization.
   5. Demonstrate a developed expertise in at least one area of methodology within their area of specialization.
   6. Demonstrate expertise in the environment, history, traditional and/or contemporary culture(s), and contemporary anthropological issues of a geographic region.
   7. Demonstrate competence in working with a specific theoretical focus.

 

Degree Fact Sheet