Requirements for a Major and Concentration in Archaeology
This information can also be found in the Columbia College Bulletin Program in Archaeology.
Major Planning Form
Concentrator Planning Form
Major and Concentration forms can be found at the Center for Archaeology office (961 Schermerhorn Extension). Information for Senior Theses is also available at the Center. Any questions should be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Archaeology, Professor Zoe Crossland mailto:zc2149@columbia.edu Phone: (212) 854-7465.
Departmental Honors
For the requirements for Departmental Honors, please check with the program advisers.
For information on upper-level graduate courses and courses in historic preservation, please see the program advisers. Decisions about upper-level, related, or seminar courses that are not on this list, and their applicability to the major or concentration in archaeology, should be made in consultation with the program advisers.
Undergraduate Requirements
For a Major in Archaeology
Program of study: To be planned as early as possible with the program advisers, preferably before the end of the sophomore year, and no later than the beginning of the junior year. A total of 30 points within the major and 9 points of related courses are required for the major.
Introductory courses: Any two of the following courses:
ANTH V1007 ,
ANTH V1008 , ACLG V2028y. (N.B. This course was previously listed as
ACLG W3002).
Upper-level courses: Two courses from different regions of the world, in addition to three other upper-level courses, planned in consultation with the program advisers.
Field requirement: Participation of four to six weeks in field projects with which Columbia University is affiliated, or independent study in excavation or other field projects; the school or project must be approved in advance by the program advisers.
Laboratory requirement: One laboratory course in archaeology or its equivalent in the field, as approved by the program advisers; 3–6 points.
Major seminar: A seminar in archaeology, preferably taken in the senior year, to be decided with the advanced approval of the archaeology program adviser.
Related courses: 9 points, to be planned with the program advisers in accordance with the student’s interests.
Senior thesis: Recommended for students planning to continue for a graduate degree. Topics should be discussed with a faculty adviser during the junior year, allowing time for planning, research, and travel during the following summer. In the senior year, the student may register for the senior thesis course with their adviser (e.g.,
ANTH V3997 or
AHIS C3997–C3998 ) to cover the writing of the thesis, which must be submitted by March 25.
Languages: Students intending to pursue graduate degrees in archaeology should be aware that a reading knowledge of two languages is often required as part of graduate study. Further, although language courses do not count toward the major or concentration, students are encouraged to acquire language training that is relevant to their particular interests in archaeology.
Science requirement: It is recommended that archaeology students consider introductory courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, and/or Chemistry for their Core Curriculum science requirement.
For a Concentration in Archaeology
Program of study: To be planned with the program advisers.
Required courses: Any two of the following courses:
ANTH V1007 ,
ANTH V1008 ,
ACLG V2028y (N.B. This course was previously listed as
ACLG W3002); one seminar or colloquium in Anthropology, Art History and Archaeology, Classics, or History, as approved by the program advisers; three upper-level courses, including at least one from two different regions of the world; one related course. A total of 21 points is required from within Anthropology, Art History and Archaeology, and other approved departments; of the seven courses to be counted for the concentration, no more than four courses may be taken within any single department.
