How to Write the Major Proposal  

As part of the application process for the major, you should write a one-page major proposal in which you consider the following questions: 

  • How did you find out about anthropology and what motivated you to major in it? 
  • Do you have specific topical or career interests? You may find our Pathways through the Anthropology major a useful resource. You can identify courses in health and medicine, the global economy and inequality, activism and social justice, the environment, heritage, or law and politics. Pathways represent some common interests and trajectories that support student career interests. They are not rigid sets of requirements but simply road maps through the department’s diverse and rich course offerings. You can create your own pathway and put together any combination of courses that interest you.
  • Are you primarily interested in a specific anthropological subfield (sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, or biological anthropology)?   
  • Do you have interest in a specific world area(s)?  
  • Are you considering study abroad, a field school, or some other kind(s) of practical experience as part of your anthropological training? 
  • Are you considering doing an Honors Thesis?  If so, what might be your overall topic(s)? 
  • Do you have any particular aims or learning goals in the major?  
  • What are your plans after graduation? 
Top