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Politics, Law, and Economy Sub-Major

The Politics, Law, and Economy sub-major is for students interested in these three well-established fields within anthropology.

Politics, law, and economics in anthropology are not studied as distinct and separate systems, but are approached as intertwined and integral to human social orders and cultures, in constant and dynamic states of transformation. What people say, do, and think on the ground is always connected with what is happening at the macro-level, just as those larger political-economic and legal systems structure power hierarchies, social inequalities, and attitudes at local levels. Each of the courses in this sub-major include all three dimensions (politics, law, and economy), yet have a distinct focus.

This sub-major will prepare students with requisite skills for careers in law, in public policy and political activism, and in commercial endeavors through such experience-based learning such as participating in case studies, legal role play, and qualitative methods such as interviews, oral histories, and ethnographic fieldwork.

Prerequisites

None, but ANTHRCUL 101 is recommended.

Requirements

Students in the Politics, Law, and Economy sub-major must complete 16-17 credits from the courses listed below as part of their anthropology major elective credits for a minimum of 32 credits total.

Constraints

The Politics, Law, and Economy sub-major is only available to declared Anthropology majors and is not a major or minor. The sub-major will be notated on the student's official transcript. A maximum of 6 credits of independent research can be counted toward the major.

Residency

At least 20 credits must be completed in residence at the University of Michigan.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the ANTHRARC, ANTHRBIO, and ANTHRCUL subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Exclusions

Students may elect only one of the optional sub-majors.