The Masters Program at URI

Former student Jamin Wells conducting diving operations for the Ocean SAMP

The Archaeology and Anthropology Option is a 30-credit program within the History masters degree.   Through a series of required courses and electives, students specialize in method and theory in each of the required disciplines (History, Anthropology and Archaeology).  Students enrolled in this option are encouraged to link areas of study across the disciplines. Some students study a combination of maritime history and underwater archaeology.  The option serves students interested transitioning to PhD programs as well as those looking to enter museum work, cultural resource management, and contract archaeology.

All masters candidates in the Archaeology and Anthropology Option are required to take a series of required courses and a choice of electives. They also have to take written and oral comprehensive examinations. A thesis option is available. In keeping with graduate school and history department requirements, at least half the courses taken within the program have to be at the 500 level or above, including one 500 level seminar in history, one 500-level seminar in cultural heritage, a 500-level directed study, and at least one other 500-level history course.

A.  At least one of the following Historical Methods courses

• HIS401 - Advanced Topics in European History
• HIS441 - Advanced Topics in American History
• HIS481 - Advanced Topics in Asian or Latin American History

B.  At least two 500 level history courses including at least one of the following seminars. (NB. HIS591 & HIS599 excluded)

• HIS506 - Seminar in European History
• HIS507 - Seminar in United States History
• HIS508 - Seminar in Asian or Latin American History

C.  At least one of the following Anthropological Theory Courses

• APG401 - History of Anthropological Theory
• APG413 - Peoples of the Sea
• APG427 - Unity of Anthropology

D.  At least one of the following Archaeological Method and Theory Courses

• HIS/APG490 - Underwater Historical Archaeology
• HIS417 - Archaeological Method and Theory
• ARH475/575 - Classical Archaeology

E.  The following Anthropology/Art History seminar 

• ARH/APG 465 or 565 - Seminar in Cultural Heritage

F.  A major history research paper through directed study or thesis. (NB: The directed study can be taken alongside a section of HIS495).

• HIS591 - Directed Study or Research
• HIS599 - Thesis

A.  Approved History Electives

• All 400 and 500 level history courses including thesis credits

B. Approved Anthropology Electives

• APG401 History of Anthropological Theory
• APG413 Peoples of the Sea
• APG417 Archaeological Method and Theory
• APG427 Unity of Anthropology
• APG470 Problems in Anthropology (Independent Study)
• APG490/HIS490 Underwater Historical Archaeology

Approved Art History and Material Culture Electives

• ARH469/470 - Independent Study in Art History
• ARH480 - Advanced Topics in European and American Art
• ARH/APG 465 or 565 - Seminar in Cultural Heritage
• ARH475/575 - Classical Archaeology
• NES400 - Special Topics in New England Studies (when the topic is appropriate and with the approval of the student’s major professor)
• TMD440 - Historic Textiles
• TMD510 - Research Methods in Textiles
• TMD520 - Introduction to Textile Conservation
• TMD524 - Cultural Aspects of Dress
• TMD570 - Topics in Historic Textiles Or Costume

Approved Research Diving Electives

• AFS433 - Research Diving Methods

Note: Students may substitute up to 6 credits of other graduate courses for approved electives with the approval of the student’s major professor and program coordinator.

Student must have a bachelors degree.  While 24 credits in history are normally required, credits in anthropology, archaeology, art history and related fields may be accepted with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Director of the Archaeology and Anthropology Option.  GRE scores are also required.

More information and application procedures can be found here.