Graduate Program Requirements

Archaeology
Biocultural Anthropology
Sociocultural Anthropology

Archaeology

The University of Washington Graduate Program in Archaeology is designed to train students in archaeological method and theory, in critical thinking, and in the scientific analysis of the physical content of archaeological sites. The program is also designed to train professional archaeologists capable of working in a wide variety of contexts.

Each student is required to:

1. Develop expertise in data collection at a professional level through course work and practical experience;
2. Acquire thorough control of archaeological method and theory;
3. Acquire substantial competence in at least one technical and one major geographic area;
4. Demonstrate an ability to conceive, design, and execute significant research within archaeology; and
5. Develop skill in classroom instruction to a level deemed adequate for university-level teaching.

Since there are considerable differences among individuals in learning styles, there is a great deal of flexibility in how these five goals may be achieved within the program. As a consequence, emphasis is placed upon both course work and upon independent demonstration that these goals have been mastered.

The first goal is normally realized by acquiring field experience in the context of ongoing professional archaeological research. Field experience is required of all students, although the dissertation need not be based on this work. The second goal, competence in archaeological method and theory, is met through required course work, including courses that focus upon these subjects (ARCHY 495, 497, 498/570, 480, 481, 482, 483 etc.) and courses that cover areas and topical concerns in which this knowledge can be put to practical use. A major segment of the comprehensive examination is designed to test this competence. The area-competence goal is partially met by course work at the 400 and 500 levels but must include substantial independent reading by each student. This competence is also tested in the comprehensive examination. The fourth goal is largely met by the dissertation and the research that precedes it. Finally, although every effort is made to provide qualified students with teaching opportunities (e.g., Teaching Assistantships, Pre-doctoral Teaching Associates) in the department, evaluated teaching experience outside the university may also satisfy the teaching competency requirement.

The program can be divided into two parts. The first six quarters are spent in course work with the archaeology faculty. This part of the program ends with the comprehensive examination. The second part of each student's course of study is more closely supervised by the student's committee and is directed toward the dissertation project and the special skills and interests that the student wishes to develop beyond the general competence gained in the first six quarters.

During their graduate career, all students are expected to attend all archaeological guest lectures, seminars, and student colloquia. Lack of attendance at such affairs may be taken into account in assessing general performance in the program.

Program Years One and Two

Before arriving at the university, incoming graduate students are notified of their faculty-appointed advisors. The faculty-appointed advisor serves as the student's faculty advisor until the student selects a major advisor; the major advisor is to be selected no later than the end of the seventh quarter in residence. The major advisor also serves as chair of the student's Ph.D. committee.

First-year and second-year course work will include the preceptoral reading courses in archaeology (ARCHY 501) and ARCHY 480-481-482-483, ARCHY 495, ARCHY 497, ARCHY 498/570, ARCHY 520, other appropriate courses at the ARCHY 500 level, and area and topical courses as available. Since none of these courses is offered more than once each year, and some only every two years, it is important that the student consult regularly with his or her faculty advisor.

In addition to the above, second-year course work may include advanced work in the area chosen by the student for concentration, and may include some course work outside the department in areas related to the student's research interest. It is also usual for students to enroll in QSci 381, 482, and 483.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is a written examination evaluated by members of the archaeology faculty. The examination must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter of residence. Exceptions to the seven-quarter rule may be made in the case of students whose first language is not English. Upon the advice of the student's major advisor, a student may elect to take the examination before the seventh quarter, but only at the normally-scheduled time during autumn quarter.

Only one examination is given each year and all students taking the examination will have the same questions and will take it at the same time. A copy of the current document "The Comprehensive Examination in Archaeology" will be given to each student upon entry into the program. This document outlines the structure of the comprehensive examination and includes a list of questions relating to a portion of the exam. Refer to this document for all procedures relating to the comprehensive examination.

The evaluation of the written examinations by the archaeology faculty will have one of three outcomes:

1. Pass with recommendation to proceed in the Ph.D. program if the exam score is 3.0 or above. Individuals who perform at this level receive the M.A. degree by virtue of this performance;
2. Pass without recommendation to proceed in the Ph.D. program but with the award of an M.A. after completion of other M.A. requirements (see below) if the exam score is less than 3.0 but greater than 2.69. After completing the M.A., individuals who fall within this category M.A. y retake the comprehensive examination once; the exam must be retaken during autumn quarter at the normally scheduled time;
3. Failure if the exam score is less than 2.7.

M.A.

The Graduate School requires a minimum of 36 credits (30 at the University of Washington ) and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for a Masters Degree.  A minimum of 18 of these credits must be in 500 or higher level courses.

In addition, the M.A. degree is awarded to those Archaeology graduate students who complete the general first- and second-year requirements and pass the Comprehensive Examination with a grade of at least 3.0 by the end of the seventh quarter in residence.

For those who complete the general first- and second-year requirements, the Graduate Schools credit and GPA requirements, and pass the Comprehensive Examination with a grade of less than 3.0 but more than 2.69, an M.A. degree is awarded upon completion of a research paper involving at least nine hours of ARCHY 600 from one faculty member.

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee

The student must constitute his or her Ph.D. supervisory committee by the end of the seventh quarter of residence and no later than 4 months before submitting the request to schedule the general examination. A member of the archaeology faculty must chair the committee. It must also include at least one other member of the anthropology faculty, and a graduate faculty representative (GFR).  The supervisory committee must contain a total of at least three voting members plus the GFR.  It is strongly recommended that the committee contain one or more members from outside the department.  The doctoral reading committee is composed of a minimum of three voting members from the supervisory committee.  The reading committee must be designated prior to the scheduling of the dissertation defense

The major advisor will assist the student in forming the committee, but it is the student's responsibility to contact potential committee members.

Subsequent Studies

After successfully completing the comprehensive exam, the student's course of study is specifically tailored to meet his or her own research interest and requires close consultation with the chair of the supervisory committee and its other members. Course work is normally limited to those graduate courses that may have been missed due to alternate year offerings, courses outside the department essential to pursuing the student's research goals, and ARCHY 600 (independent study).

As soon as practical after the comprehensive examination, the student should begin to plan the dissertation research. Once the student has formed a clear idea of the dissertation research, outlined in the dissertation research proposal, and upon the advice of the chair of the Ph.D. supervisory committee, the student will take the general examination. Within the quarter following the completion of the general examination, the student must present the colloquium.

Dissertation Research Proposal

The dissertation research proposal is a plan (maximum ten single-spaced pages) for the dissertation research. It must lay out the problem that is to be addressed by the research and establish the significance of that problem for archaeology. It must also present the overall research design, briefly describe the data requirements and how those requirements will be met, and provide a discussion of the analytic methods to be used. In no case will a purely descriptive dissertation be accepted. While fieldwork is required of all students, the dissertation need not be based on that fieldwork. Close cooperation between the student and Ph.D. supervisory committee is required, and the entire Ph.D. supervisory committee must approve the proposal.

General Examination

The general examination is administered by the Ph.D. supervisory committee on behalf of the dean of the Graduate School. The examination is a two-hour oral examination administered by the student's committee including the graduate faculty representative, and may be attended by any member of the graduate faculty.

The examination will normally cover the area within archaeology that the student is pursuing in detail as well as any other material considered relevant by the committee. Upon completion, the committee may recommend admission to candidacy to the Ph.D. (Ph.C.), re-examination in selected areas, or failure. While timing of the general examination varies with the individual student, it will normally take place in the fourth year. In order to schedule the general examination, the dissertation research proposal must be formally approved by the student’s committee.  In rare cases, a student may petition the supervisory committee to allow the generals to precede approval of the final draft of the dissertation research proposal.

Colloquium

By the end of the quarter following the completion of the General Examination, the student must give an oral presentation that sets forth the problem being addressed by the dissertation, the area and data to be investigated, the significance of the problem for the discipline, the analytical methods to be used, and the questions or hypotheses being addressed. The formal presentation that forms the heart of the colloquium is to last for no more than 40 minutes. The colloquium is open to Anthropology faculty and graduate students as well as to other interested individuals, and is meant to give such individuals an opportunity to comment on the proposed research. The colloquium is normally presented in the fourth year.

Language Examination

Language skills facilitate access to international scholarship and opportunities for international partnership and fieldwork. Whether or not a student’s dissertation research requires the use of a foreign language, students are all required to demonstrate competence in a major scientific or field language (other than English) in order to complete the Ph.D. Ideally, the language selected will be one of direct relevance to the dissertation work or related scholarship. Competence will be assessed through an examination to be administered by the Archaeology Faculty. The examination will require the translation into English of approximately 1,000 words of text in the language in question and in an area relevant to the student’s area of interest and expertise. The student will be given two hours to complete the translation and will be allowed to bring dictionaries to the examination room. The Examination will be arranged and administered by the student’s advisor, and will be graded under the supervision of the Archaeology Faculty. Students whose first language is not English may petition their Supervisory Committee to waive the language requirement. Students may complete the language requirement any time prior to the scheduling of the Dissertation Defense, but are encouraged to complete it as early as possible in their student careers.

Dissertation

The dissertation must represent the product of original research on a significant topic in archaeology. Normally it is based upon fieldwork conducted by the student, but this is not required. Close cooperation between the Ph.D. supervisory committee chair and the student is absolutely essential. The student is responsible for keeping his or her committee fully informed of the dissertation progress. Before the dissertation is completed, a dissertation reading committee, drawn from the Ph.D. supervisory committee, is appointed. The reading committee is responsible for approving or rejecting the dissertation; only upon its recommendation is the final step in the program, the final examination, initiated. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the committee, the dissertation draft must be presented to the committee within the first two weeks of the quarter in which the student expects to receive the Ph.D.

Final Examination

The final examination is scheduled by the dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the dissertation reading committee. This examination is administered by the Ph.D. supervisory committee, including the GFR, and is limited to the student's dissertation; any member of the graduate faculty may attend. The warrant for the Ph.D. is signed at the conclusion of the examination. After the completion of the final examination, and submission of two acceptable copies of the dissertation to the Graduate School, and submission of one copy to the department, the Ph.D. is awarded.

This is a brief outline of the process; information on specific procedures can be obtained from the Program Coordinator or from your advisor.

Biocultural Anthropology

An applicant for admission to the graduate program must have a B.A. or B.S. degree. An undergraduate major in anthropology is helpful, but those who have not majored in anthropology are also encouraged to apply. In the review of an application, course work in the following areas is considered especially desirable as preparatory for advanced studies: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, biology and zoology, mathematics, and statistics.

Advising

An entering student is assigned an advisor from the biocultural faculty; the student should consult with this advisor each quarter concerning study plans. (The supervisory committee chairperson when named continues this role – see below.)

Ph.D. Degree

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must:

1. Satisfy the Graduate School's requirements (see the University of Washington Graduate School Bulletin).
2. Satisfy the foreign language requirement by the end of the sixth quarter of enrollment.
3. Complete the core curriculum.
4. Pass the comprehensive examination.
5. Complete a Master's paper.
6. Submit an acceptable Ph.D. dissertation proposal.
7. Pass the general examination.
8. Present a dissertation colloquium.
9. Fulfill the teaching requirement.
10. Submit an acceptable Ph.D. dissertation, present a seminar based on the dissertation.
11. Pass the final examination.

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee

A student should designate a Supervisory Committee chairperson by the end of the third quarter, and constitute a full committee by the end of the sixth quarter of enrollment. The Supervisory Committee shall consist of a chairperson chosen from the graduate faculty in Biocultural Anthropology, a Graduate School Representative (GSR) and from two to five other members. At least 50 percent of the full committee (excluding the GSR) must be from the Biocultural faculty. Because the core curriculum is considered minimum basic preparation for the discipline, a student should consult with their Supervisory Committees concerning additional preparation necessary for research in a specialized area.

Language Requirement

A candidate for the Ph.D. must demonstrate competence in one foreign language. This language may be one in which there is a substantial body of scientific literature pertinent to the student's research interests or one that will substantially aid the student in field research. Basic competence will be demonstrated by the student’s having passed with an average grade of 2.7 (C+) or higher three quarters or two semesters of instruction in the language either at the undergraduate or graduate level. The student may take language competency examinations to fulfill some or all of this requirement. Competence in field languages for which formal instruction is not available at the University of Washington is determined by an examination set by the student's Supervisory Committee. A student is expected to fulfill the language requirement before beginning to write the dissertation.

Curriculum

A student with a limited background in biological anthropology must complete, upon entry to the program:

BIO A 502 (6 credits) Preceptorial Reading in Biological Anthropology.

If, in the view of the advisor, a student has a limited background in other subfields of anthropology, the student must complete, as soon as possible, either or both of the following:

ANTH 500 (6 cr) Preceptorial Reading in Sociocultural Anthropology

ARCHY 501 (6 cr) Preceptorial Reading in Archaeology

The following courses constitute the core curriculum:

BIO A 450 (5 cr) Biodemography Seminar

BIO A 473 (5 cr) Biological Adaptability of Human Populations

BIO A 482 (5 cr) Human Population Genetics

BIO A 486 (3 cr) Primate Socioecology

BIO A 491 (5 cr) Issues in Human Paleontology

BIO A 520 (5 cr) Human Behavioral Ecology

BIO A 569 (5 cr) Demographic Analysis

A student is encouraged to take all of the core courses, and is required to take at least 5 core courses selected under the guidance of his or her faculty advisor.

In addition, the research design course is required:

BIO A 525 (5 cr) Biocultural Research Methods & Study Design

These courses provide a broad view of the theory, methods and research concerns of biocultural anthropology. They also provide students an opportunity to identify their primary research interests and those of the faculty. A student must complete the core courses with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. A grade of less than 2.7 in any core course is unsatisfactory; normally, the student must repeat the course, but may, by petition to the supervisory committee, seek to remedy the deficiency in another way.

Finally, each student must complete the course sequence offered by the Department of Biostatistics:

BIOST 511-512-513 (4 cr ea.) Medical Biometry I, II, III or its equivalent (as approved by the Supervisory Committee).

Each student must satisfactorily complete all of the above courses before taking the comprehensive examination. Additional courses, relevant to particular research interests, should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor or supervisory committee.

Comprehensive (Written) Examination

This is an examination of the student's general knowledge of biocultural anthropology, as derived primarily from the contents of the core courses and as applied to current issues in the field. The examination consists of questions selected by the supervisory committee and is designed to test a student's ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate theories, concepts and data. A student is expected to take this examination no later than the eighth quarter of enrollment in the Program in Biocultural Anthropology.

The supervisory committee sets the dates of the examination. The exam comprises four questions and is scheduled for six hours. The complete examination may be taken once, and leads to one of three outcomes:

Pass, with the recommendation to proceed in the Ph.D. program – awarded when the score on each question is 3.0 or above.

Conditional Pass – awarded when the answer to one or two questions are scored at or below 2.9. The condition is satisfied when the student demonstrates competence by successfully retaking the relevant portion(s) of the examination.

Failure – awarded when the answers to three or more questions are scored at or below 2.9. Students who fail this examination may not proceed toward the Ph.D. although they may, provided the overall score on the comprehensive examination is at least 2.7, earn an M.A. by completing all requirements for that degree.

Master's Paper

Within one quarter of passing the Comprehensive Examination and before taking the General Examination, the student submits a Master’s paper in some area of special interest within biocultural anthropology. The topic and scope of the paper must be approved by the Supervisory committee.  The paper may be a literature review that offers a critical synthesis of the material covered or an original research paper.  (The scope of the Master’s paper is similar to articles in Evolutionary Anthropology.)    

The completed Master’s paper will be graded on a scale of 1.0 to 4.0 by each member of the Supervisory committee.  A passing grade is earned when each score is 3.0 and above, a conditional pass is earned when one or two members give a score below 2.9. A student who passes conditionally will be required to revise and resubmit the paper for a grade.  A failing grade results when all graders give a score of 2.9 or lower.  Students who receive a failing grade may not proceed toward the Ph.D; however, the paper will count toward the Master’s paper requirement if the average score is at least a 2.7.

An MA degree can be obtained upon successfully completing the comprehensive examination and the Master’s paper.

Dissertation Proposal

After completing the Master’s paper, the student subsequently presents a formal written proposal of original research to the Supervisory Committee. The Supervisory committee may require the student to complete one or more literature reviews as part of developing the dissertation proposal. Where appropriate, the proposal should be prepared in a form suitable for (1) submission to the Human Subjects Review and/or the Vertebrate Animals Review Committee(s) and (2) one or more funding agencies.

General (Oral) Examination

A two-hour general examination focusing on the candidate's proposed area of research and its theoretical and methodological foundation is administered by the supervisory committee. The general examination must be taken within five quarters (of enrollment) of taking the comprehensive examination, and must be scheduled several weeks in advance with the Graduate School (via the Graduate Program Assistant in Anthropology). Note that the Graduate School requires that the supervisory committee be officially formed at least four months prior to the date of the general examination. Upon successful completion of the general examination, the student is admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

Colloquium

After the general examination, the candidate presents an overview of the proposed dissertation research in a colloquium to which all members of the Department of Anthropology are invited. The colloquium is held within one quarter of passing the general examination.

Teaching Requirement

Before receiving the Ph.D. degree, the candidate is expected to teach a course in anthropology with course design, content and preparation subject to the approval of a faculty member. The course must be evaluated by the students enrolled; the biocultural faculty must be apprised of the evaluation. In the event that such a teaching opportunity is not available, the student may, upon approval of the biocultural faculty, use experience as an instructor of courses in other departments or as a teaching assistant to meet this requirement.

Seminar and Final Examination

Following completion of research, the candidate prepares a dissertation which is submitted to the dissertation reading committee (see University of Washington Bulletin). On the recommendation of this committee, the candidate presents to the community a seminar based upon the dissertation, and then sits for the final examination (an oral defense of the dissertation required by the Graduate School and administered by the Ph.D. supervisory committee).

Master's Degree 

Candidates for the M.A. degree must:

Satisfy the Graduate School requirements for the M.A. degree (see the University of Washington Bulletin).

1. Complete 4 of the 6 core courses, as well as the biostatistics series and research design course.
2. Constitute an M.A. supervisory committee. The committee consists of at least two members and no more than four; the chair must be a member of the biocultural faculty, and at least one other member must belong to the graduate faculty in anthropology.
3. Submit a formal research proposal to the supervisory committee. It is strongly recommended that the proposal be approved by the end of the fourth full-time academic quarter of residence.
4. Complete nine credit hours at the 700-level and submit a thesis, if pursuing a thesis M.A. degree. Write a research paper and complete at least nine hours of course work at the 600-level with a single faculty member, if pursuing a non-thesis M.A. degree.
5. Pass a final examination administered by the student's supervisory committee (a grad school requirement).

A student who enters the program to earn an M.A. degree is expected to complete all requirements within six to nine academic quarters of full-time enrollment (or its equivalent).

Students in the Ph.D. program may apply to the Graduate School for an M.A. after completion of the literature review.

Sociocultural Anthropology

The graduate program in sociocultural anthropology is designed to train professional anthropologists to work in either academic or non-academic settings. Each student is expected to achieve high levels of competence in the theories and methods of the discipline through successful completion of a series of requirements, as outlined below:

Requirements for the Masters of Arts in Anthropology
The degree of Masters of Arts in Anthropology (MA) is awarded to students who have met all appropriate rules and regulations of the Graduate School and the Department of Anthropology and who have:

1. Successfully met the requirments of the first-year core curriculum and evaluation
2. Completed the second-year sequence of courses in ethnographic methods and research design with a minimum grade of 3.5 in each
3. Completed a research competency paper that has passed review by the student’s pre-Masters supervisory committee by the end of the eighth quarter of full-time work in the program

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) is awarded to all students who have met all appropriate rules and regulations of the Graduate School and the Department of Anthropology and who have:

1. Earned an MA degree in anthropology from the University of Washington (or an approved equivalent)
2. Demonstrated basic competence in a language other than the candidate's native language
3. Passed the General Exam
4. Made a formal presentation about the project at a dissertation colloquium
5. Conducted ethical and methodologically sound dissertation research
6. Acquired training and experience in teaching at the university level
7. Completed a PhD dissertation that is approved and signed by the supervisory committee
8. Passed an oral defense of the dissertation (also called the Final Exam)

Advisors and Supervisory Committees
Upon entry, all first-year sociocultural graduate students are invited to select or be assigned an advisor pro tem who will advise the student until s/he obtains the agreement of a member of a chair for her/his supervisory committee. The chair must be chosen no later than the end of the fourth quarter of full time work in the program.

At the pre-Masters level, the supervisory committee need only consist of the committee chair and one other member of the sociocultural faculty.

The PhD supervisory committee must include: (1) a committee chair, (2) at least two additional committee members, and (3) the Graduate School Representative (GSR). The additional committee members and GSR are chosen in consultation with the student’s committee chair and asked to serve by the student. The committee chair, at least one of the additional members, and the GSR must be members of the graduate faculty of the University of Washington. The committee chair must also be a regular member of the sociocultural faculty or an adjunct member of the Department of Anthropology. The GSR must be endorsed to chair doctoral supervisory committees but must not hold any kind of appointment in Anthropology. According to Graduate School Memorandum #13, any other faculty members who "are identified by their appointing department as productive scholars in the student's major field and/or subfields" can serve as committee members.

Faculty invited to serve on a committee should indicate in writing to the Graduate Program Coordinator that they are willing to serve. They become official members of the committee when (1) the student submits to the Graduate Program Advisor a completed form for establishing a PhD supervisory committee that lists the names and signatures of the committee chair and all committee members, and (2) the Graduate School responds by officially inviting all proposed committee members to serve as members of the supervisory committee.

Sociocultural anthropology requires that the committee be in place before the end of the sixth quarter of full-time work in the program.

Structure of the Program and Standards for Evaluation

1. First-Year Core Curriculum and Evaluation

1. Core sequence in Anthropological Theory. All first-year students must enroll in a two-quarter sequence offered in fall and winter (ANTH 565, 566; 5 credits per quarter), which is commonly referred to as the "core course." This sequence consists of lectures, seminar discussion, student presentations, intensive reading of the professional literature, and writing papers. The courses in this sequence are taught in rotation by sociocultural faculty and are organized around intentionally broad topical themes, which may vary year to year.  The purpose of the core sequence is to introduce contemporary debates in the context of their history in the discipline.
   
   Core course grades are awarded as follows:
   4.0 - 3.9 outstanding
   3.7 - 3.8 very good
   3.6 good
   3.5 satisfactory
   < 3.5 unsatisfactory
   
   
2. Introduction to Anthropology at UW All first-year students must also enroll in a weekly colloquium offered in fall quarter (ANTH 507; 2 credits), in which each week a different member of the sociocultural anthropology faculty will meet with first-year students and present an overview of her or his research and teaching interests. This colloquium is designed to give students a sense of the range of current topics and approaches within the field of sociocultural anthropology as a whole, and to introduce students to individual UW faculty with whom they may wish to take courses, and/or with whom they may eventually wish to work as dissertation advisor or supervisory committee members. Grading will be C/NC, based on participation (no readings or writing assignments will be required); this colloquium does not count toward the required four anthropology courses (see below).
   
   
3. 400- or 500-level Sociocultural Anthropology Courses Students are required to complete four 400- or 500-level courses taught by four different members of the sociocultural faculty within the first two years and taken for a numeric grade.  Students should expect to complete at least two such courses during the first year, and at least two more during the second year. This requirement is designed to ensure breadth of training in sociocultural anthropology, and to provide opportunities to establish relationships with faculty with whom they may eventually wish to work as dissertation advisor or supervisory committee members.
   
   
4. First-Year Portfolio Students are required to submit to the sociocultural faculty a “First-Year Portfolio,” not later than the 8th week of spring quarter in their first year of graduate study in the program. The first-year portfolio will provide an overview of scholarly work accomplished during the first year of graduate study, and must include:
   • a brief self-assessment of the first year, and forward-looking plan of study
   • coursework completed during the first year, including at least one 15-20 page paper that examines some material (textual, ethnographic, historical, visual, etc) in terms of a current debate within anthropology, and sets forth an argument.  
   • evidence of teaching (if any)
   • evidence of conference participation or other professional activities (if any)
   • evidence of applications submitted for fellowships, grants or other opportunities (if any)
   Detailed guidelines for the portfolio and its evaluation will be provided to students at the start of fall quarter.
   
   
5. First-Year Evaluation The sociocultural faculty as a whole will meet at the end of the first year to review each student's progress in the program. In order to continue to the second year of the program, students must successfully pass this first-year evaluation. Any student who does not meet these requirements will not be permitted to continue in the program. The core instructors should alert the student regarding potential problems as soon as possible in the first year so that the student is made aware of any deficiencies.
   
   The following criteria will be used to evaluate each student’s first-year performance.

• The student has demonstrated careful and critical reading of course materials. S/he is able to state the major points of the reading and make effective connections with other course materials. In cases where the student has encountered difficulties with course content, s/he has sought out the instructor for recommendations for remedial reading or clarification.
• The student has contributed effectively to class discussions. The student shows a willingness to engage with the course materials and is developing skills of good communication and citizenship in scholarly exchange. In cases where English is a second language or where there are other difficulties inhibiting participation, the student has communicated this to the core course instructors and sought recommendations to remedy the problem or has negotiated accommodations in redefining appropriate expectations.
• The student has demonstrated the ability to write well or is making significant progress in developing good writing skills. In cases of writing difficulties, the student has pursued recommendations to remedy the problem.

In addition, the student must demonstrate high standards of ethical behavior. Breaches of ethics and/or irresponsible behavior in any of the following areas (at any time in the program) will be considered evidence that the student should not remain in the program.

Ethical conduct in one’s academic life. Students are expected to strictly adhere to the university’s guidelines for ethical academic conduct, including its policies on plagiarism and integrity of research. The university’s code of student conduct is accessible via the web.

Ethical conduct as a researcher. Field research in anthropology requires sensitivity, honesty, and an awareness of the potential ethical hazards of studying the lives of others. Students are expected to adhere to the AAA and HSD guidelines for protecting human research subjects. This includes avoiding deceptive or covert research, behaving with consideration and respect toward one’s research participants and their communities, respecting the laws of the country in which a student conducts research, and taking responsibility–to the extent possible–for the uses to which the research is put.

Ethical conduct as a teacher. A University of Washington Faculty Senate resolution notes that teaching requires “respect for the dignity of others and their right to free speech,” “intellectual honesty,” and “a proper environment for learning.” As a member of the Department of Anthropology, each student is expected to adhere to these and other standards for ethical conduct, including those mentioned under personal ethics.

Ethical conduct toward the discipline of anthropology. Students are expected to fulfill their obligations to funders and sponsors, and to conduct themselves in the field so that their behavior does not have negative consequences for researchers who come after them or for the reputation of anthropology as a discipline. It is also expected that when the time comes to seek employment as an anthropologist and to publish their work, that students will do so with integrity and intellectual honesty.

2. Annual Evaluations
Once the student has passed the first-year evaluation, her/his progress through the program will be evaluated annually at the end of each academic year by the sociocultural faculty as a whole and the results of that evaluation will be communicated to the student in writing by the student’s committee chair.

3. Second-Year Sequence

1. Core Sequence in Ethnographic Methods and Research Design During the second year of full-time work in the program, all sociocultural students must complete the required seminar sequence in ethnographic methods (ANTH 550; 5 credits, fall) and research design (ANTH 551; 5 credits, winter) and must obtain a minimum grade of 3.5 in each.  The purpose of this requirement is to help students develop the research and writing skills they will need in order to successfully complete a dissertation.
   
   
2. History of Anthropology Students are required to complete a history of anthropology course (ANTH 460; 5 credits) which will be offered during their second year of graduate studies and must obtain a minimum grade of 3.5. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that students gain an understanding of the history of the discipline into which they are entering.
   
   
3. 400- or 500-level Sociocultural Anthropology Courses Students are required to complete four 400- or 500-level courses taught by four different members of the sociocultural faculty within the first two years and taken for a numeric grade.  Students should expect to complete at least two such courses during the first year, and at least two more during the second year. This requirement is designed to ensure breadth of training in sociocultural anthropology, and to provide opportunities to establish relationships with faculty with whom they may eventually wish to work as dissertation advisor or supervisory committee members.

4. Demonstration of Research Competency
Prior to the end of the eighth quarter of full-time work in the program, each student must have successfully completed a substantial research paper on a topic that is to be developed in discussions with her/his pre-Master’s supervisory committee. The research competency paper must demonstrate the student’s ability to do original research, although it need not be fieldwork based. This requirement can also be met by successfully completing an MA thesis in anthropology.

If an incoming student has earned an MA in anthropology (or a related discipline) within five years prior to the date of admission, s/he may petition for the MA thesis to be accepted in lieu of the research competency paper. Approval of such a petition is at the discretion of the supervisory committee.

A copy of the approved research competency paper is to be sent to the Graduate Program Advisor, who will deposit an electronic file of the paper in the departmental archive.

5. Basic Competence in a Foreign Language
Each student must demonstrate basic competence in a language other than her/his native language. By no later than the end of the fifth quarter of full-time work in the department or by two years after the date of entry into the program (whichever is sooner), each sociocultural graduate student, in consultation with her/his committee chair and other members of the supervisory committee, must formulate, justify, and submit to the Graduate Program Advisor, a plan for meeting this requirement. This plan should indicate (a) what the language is, (b) why it was picked, (c) how the student's competence will be determined, and (d) when the student is to complete this requirement.

6. General Exam
The general exam is the method used to determine whether or not advanced graduate students have the skills and knowledge necessary for undertaking original dissertation research in, and otherwise being a doctoral candidate in, sociocultural anthropology. There are two parts to this examination: (1) a written exam, which consists of either a timed examination (usually 6-8 hours long, but the exact length is to be decided by the supervisory committee in consultation with the graduate student) or a one week take-home exam, and (2) an oral examination.

The examination is to emphasize the sociocultural theories, methods, and ethnographic knowledge that constitutes four areas of the student's primary areas of specialization established by mutual agreement of the student and her/his supervisory committee.

This exam must be attempted no later than the ninth quarter of full time work or no later than five years after the date of entry into the program (whichever is sooner) if the student is to remain in good standing. On the basis of the student’s performance, the supervisory committee will recommend that the student be either:

1. advanced to candidacy
2. re-examined after a further period of study; or
3. dropped from the Ph.D. program.

7. Dissertation Proposal and Colloquium
Upon advancement to candidacy, each student in the PhD program in sociocultural anthropology must prepare, in consultation with her/his supervisory committee, an acceptable proposal for dissertation research. Usually dissertations are grounded in an extended period of field research. The proposal must follow human subjects protocols and pass review by the Human Subjects Review Committee. At a time no later than two quarters after passing the general exam, the student must make an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal at a sociocultural dissertation colloquium to be scheduled by the student in consultation with her/his PhD supervisory committee. In this context, in a format typical of panels at professional meetings, the student is to indicate the intent of the project and the methods to be used

8. Teaching Experience
Before the final oral defense is scheduled, the candidate is required to have training and experience in teaching, preferably anthropology, at the post-secondary level. This experience and training can be gained in various ways, subject to the approval of the supervisory committee. These teaching efforts are to be formally evaluated by methods deemed appropriate by the student and her/his supervisory committee, which usually include student and/or peer evaluations.

9. Dissertation
The student must complete a dissertation based on primary research, which is judged by the committee members to constitute a substantial and original contribution to anthropological knowledge.

10. Oral Defense (Final Exam)
Following completion of the dissertation, the candidate must submit it to the dissertation reading committee. Upon the recommendation of this committee, the candidate will schedule the final oral defense of the dissertation, covering any of the relevant issues raised in and by the dissertation. The oral defense must be held within ten years of the date the student entered the graduate program in Anthropology at the University of Washington.