Interest grows in program
By Brent Yarina
Staff Reporter

Miguel Leatham, an associate professor of anthropology, said he expects the anthropology program to continue to grow in the future now that the Add Ran College of Humanities and Social Sciences recognizes it as a major.

Before spring 2002, anthropology was only offered as a minor, Leatham said. In spring 2000, the university hired Leatham, along with Tom Guderjan, to develop an anthropology major, Leatham said.

Leatham said the program now features four professors, 13 majors and numerous minors.

“The popularity of anthropology is growing rapidly at this university,” Leatham said. “We have a very rich curriculum and we are very pleased with the quality of students we have been able to attract.”

The 20 students the introduction to archaeology course attracts every semester is evidence of the program’s success, Leatham said. In addition, Leatham said, most of his courses range anywhere from 17 to 40 students.

Numerous majors, such as art, religion and geography, offer electives that count for anthropology credit, he said.

Carol Thompson, chairwoman of the department of sociology, anthropology and criminal justice, said many students requested to have an anthropology major for a long time.

“The university has enriched the quality of majors TCU has to offer by creating an anthropology major,” Thompson said.

Leatham said he is optimistic about the future of anthropology at TCU. He said the university expects two students to graduate cum laude this semester and to continue their education at the graduate level next fall.

Meg McArthur, an anthropology and history major, said she was originally an anthropology minor until she realized the subject’s relevance to her history degree.

“My experiences within the anthropology program have inspired me to pursue a higher degree in the field,” McArthur said.

Guderjan, an associate professor of anthropology, has also played an instrumental role in the great success of TCU’s anthropology program, Leatham said.

Guderjan said he has helped attract numerous TCU students to the field of anthropology by serving as the executive director of the Maya Research Program. Since 1986, Guderjan has escorted students to Belize for a field research project at Blue Creek.

This summer, Guderjan said he’ll start another research project at the Maya port of Ixpaatun, located two miles from the Chetumal Bay community of Calderitas.

“Many students go on these trips with me as undeclared majors and come back as anthropology majors,” Guderjan said.

McArthur said she enjoyed participating in the Belize field school because it gave her the experience she otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.

Brent Yarina
b.j.yarina@tcu.edu