M.A. IN ANTHROPOLOGY
GRADUATE HANDBOOK
DePARTMeNT Of ANTHROPOLOGY
CALIfORNIA STATe UNIveRSITY, fULLeRTON 92834-6846
McCarthy Hall 426
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(657) 278-3626 (general office number)
(657) 278-5001 (fax)
http://anthro.fullerton.edu
anthropology@exchange.fullerton.edu
TABLe Of CONTeNTS
• How to Apply to the M.A. Program in Anthropology
• Application Form
• Coursework and Thesis or Project for the M.A. in Anthropology
• Steps Toward the Completion of the M.A. in Anthropology
• M.A. Study Plan
• Guidelines for the Prospectus (Proposal)
• Thesis Information and Formatting Tips
Anthropology Research and Teaching Facility
MH-420: Archaeological Teaching Laboratory
MH-420a and MH-420b: Research Rooms
MH-422: Center for Ethnographic Cultural Analysis
MH-422a: Computer Lab IT Consultant’s Office
MH-424: Anthropology Museum
MH-424a: Museology Office and Support/Storage
MH-426: Office Complex: Reception, Conference Room, Office Staff, Faculty Offices
MH-428: Evolutionary Anthropology Teaching Laboratory
MH-428a and MH-428b: Research Rooms
MH-477: South Central Coastal Information Center
MH-477E: Faculty Office
Not shown: In basement
MH-2: Archaeological Research Facility
MH-51: Archaeological Lithics Laboratory
MH-54: Archaeological Ceramics Laboratory
MH-56, MH-61, and MH-63: Faculty Offices
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Department of Anthropology
California State University, Fullerton
Master of Arts in Anthropology
The graduate program in anthropology offers advanced study in four-field scientific anthropology with a
specialization in Anthropological Archaeology, Biocultural/Evolutionary Anthropology, or Cultural/Social
Anthropology. For information on faculty interests in these areas please visit our department website at
http://anthro.fullerton.edu.
Our students have successfully completed MA theses and projects incorporating field, library, and lab-based
research. For example, students have conducted field research in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and here in
California; analyzed archaeological collections; worked in zoos and museums; and integrated anthropology into
curricula at the K-12 and community college levels.
Students work closely with their individual MA advisor in developing a thesis or project that meets their
educational needs and expectations. For that reason, it will be extremely helpful to familiarize yourself with our
faculty and their research expertise and interests. The Graduate Program Advisor will help you understand,
navigate, and fulfill department and university requirements and regulations. Please make an appointment with
her at the beginning of your matriculation to discuss the program requirements.
I. HOW TO APPLY TO THE MA PROGRAM IN ANTHROPOLOGY
1. Apply to the University (on-line at http://www.csumentor.edu). Official transcripts must be sent to the
University.
2. Apply to the Department of Anthropology, CSUF. Send the Application Form along with all of the
requested materials to: Graduate Program Advisor, Department of Anthropology, CSU Fullerton,
Fullerton, CA 92834-6846.
3. DEADLINE: To be considered for Fall admission, completed applications must be received or
postmarked on or before March 1.
4. QUALIFICATIONS:
University Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Grade-point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted
Department of Anthropology Requirements:
• Minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework in anthropology
• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology –OR—
• 27 units of anthropology (Anth 101, 102, 103 or equivalents; Anth 480 and 481 at CSUF; 12 additional
units of upper division anthropology coursework or equivalents)
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• Faculty sponsor who agrees to serve as thesis / project advisor
Students with insufficient anthropology background or grade deficiencies may be considered for admission to
the program if they agree to complete additional courses selected by the Graduate Program Advisor with at least
a 3.0 (B) average. Subject deficiencies must be met prior to candidacy.
Preference will be given to well-qualified applicants whose interests match the research interests of the faculty.
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact faculty members with whom they are interested in
working. Applicants are selected by a Graduate Committee.
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II. APPLICATION FORM
Master of Arts in Anthropology, California State University, Fullerton
Send application materials to: Graduate Program Advisor, Department of Anthropology, California State University
Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834-6846
Date of application: _______________ Application is for: Fall 20______
**Application must be received or postmarked by March 1 for Fall admission**
Name: ______________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: _____ Zip: _________ Contact Phone: _____________________
Checklist: Please check when completed:
____ Have you applied to the University online through CSU Mentor?
_____ Your overall Grade Point Average in the last 60 units taken: _________
_____ Your Grade Point Average in all Anthropology courses taken: _________
_____ Answer the following questions about your educational background:
• B.A. completed: Yes: _____ No: ____ If no, when is degree expected? (Semester &Year): ______________
• Name of University granting (or expected to grant) B.A.: ___________________________________________
• Is the B.A. in Anthropology? Yes: ___ No: ____ If no, list degree Major: ____________________________
_____ Please indicate the subfield of Anthropology in which you are MOST interested:
_____ Anthropological Archaeology _____ Biocultural/Evolutionary Anthropology _____ Cultural/Social Anthropology
_____ List the names of the persons you have asked to send letters of recommendation. Letters may be included in application
packet, or sent separately. Please ask your referees to seal the envelope and sign over the flap.
1. _______________________________________ 2. _________________________________________
_____ Attach to your application a letter of intent that describes your area of interest and goals in relationship to the M.A.
program at CSUF. You may describe your interest in anthropology, past anthropological fieldwork or related experiences,
why you are interested in our program, what you intend to do with the degree, and other intellectual goals and interests.
Address your letter to Graduate Program Advisor.
_____ Include a list of all courses taken in Anthropology, specifying the course name and number, where the course was
taken and when, and grade received.
_____ Enclose photocopies of all college or university transcripts (unofficial transcripts OK)
_____ Enclose a curriculum vita or resume
_____ Applicants are invited and encouraged to send any additional material (such as writing samples, GRE scores, evidence
of relevant work or travel experiences) that will help the Graduate Committee evaluate the student’s potential for graduate
study.
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III. COURSEWORK AND THESIS or PROJECT
FOR THE M.A. IN ANTHROPOLOGY
Graduate students are expected to complete 24 units of coursework and 6 units of thesis or project (in addition
to any course deficiencies). The 30 units are as follows:
9 units: Anth 511, 512, and 513
All graduate students must take Anth 511 (Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology), Anth 512
(Theory and Method in Archaeology), and Anth 513 (Theory and Method in Cultural/Linguistic
Anthropology)
3 units: Anth 510 Research Design (required)
9 units: Three Anth 504T (Graduate Seminar, selected topics)
All graduate students must take at least three Anth 504T graduate seminars. Anth 504T is a variable-
topics graduate seminar, the content of which varies from semester to semester as faculty take turns
teaching topics of special interest. Through these courses, students have the opportunity to explore
research ideas in the various subdisciplines. The 504 classes are rotated among the faculty to expose
students to different research issues in anthropology.
3 units: One 400- or 500-level course in anthropology or a related field
Graduate students take one elective course (3 units). The elective may be Anth 599 (Independent Study)
with your project/thesis advisor, an additional Anth 504T class, a 400-level class in anthropology, or a
400- or 500-level class in a related field, with the approval of your thesis advisor. Anth 599 may be
taken only once. Students taking a 400-level courses for graduate credit will be expected (as specified in
the syllabus) to do additional work.
6 units of Anth 597 (Project) or Anth 598 (Thesis)
To earn the M.A., students are required to register for either 6 units of Anth 597 (Project) or 6 units of
Anth 598 (Thesis). Students may register for all 6 units in the same semester or for 3 units in two
semesters. Per University regulations, you are not permitted to enroll in more than 6 TOTAL units of
597 or 6 TOTAL units of 598.
• Anth 597 (project): Students whose product includes non-written material (such as a film or
museum exhibit) in addition to a written component should register for Anth 597. Students who
plan to write a thesis may also register for Anth 597 for practical reasons (the format of the
submitted document is more flexible and the cost is less). The project (Anth 597) is submitted
only to the Department, and is housed in the Department Library (bound in a variety of formats
as approved by your advisor).
• Anth 598 (thesis): The thesis must be submitted to the Graduate Office as well as to the
Department. The required format must be followed precisely, and the product is bound at the
bookstore according to certain specifications, microfilmed, copyrighted, and listed in the
University Library’s computer database. Only students registered for Anth 598 (thesis) are
eligible to apply for the University’s Giles Brown Thesis Award.
• Deadlines, which are printed each semester in the Class Schedule, are the same for both project
and thesis. It is the student’s responsibility to know and meet these deadlines.
You may also choose to take additional courses beyond the 30 units (up to the limit established by the
University). These courses do not count toward the M.A. degree but may be considered necessary by
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you and your project/thesis advisor. For example, if you are planning to do a museum exhibit for your
M.A. project, you would need to take the museum classes required in preparation to do the exhibit.
Other examples: specific classes in anthropology (e.g., area classes, internships, ethnographic field
methods, advanced human evolution) or related fields (e.g., in geology, biology, or psychology).
Although not part of your Graduate Study Plan, all courses taken are used in calculating your overall
grade point average while in the M.A. Program.
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Department of Anthropology
Study Plan Master of Arts in Anthropology
Name Student ID No. Date
Address Home Phone:
ZIP Work Phone:
The following preclassification requirements have been met:
1. BA BS Other from Month/Year
Undergraduate Major:
2. Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 27 approved units in Anthropology OR
Coursework assigned to meet deficiencies prior to candidacy
3. Min GPA of 3.0 (B) in all work taken in Anthropology OR
Grade deficiencies have been removed by completing selected courses with B average
4. Evaluation and acceptance by the department graduate study committee (including letters)
5. Writing Requirement has been met: 480, sem/year taken ; 481, sem/year taken
ALL STATE AND UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS ARE TO BE MET INCLUDING FIVE- YEAR LIMIT
Study Plan Requirements Units Grade Sem/Yr Ext. Comments
REQUIRED COURSES (18 units):
ANTH 511 Theory & Method in Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH 512 Theory & Method in Archaeology 3
ANTH 513 Theory & Method in Cultural/Linguistic Anthro 3
ANTH 504T Seminar in Anthropological Topics 3
ANTH 504T Seminar in Anthropological Topics 3
ANTH 504T Seminar in Anthropological Topics 3
ELECTIVES (6 units of 400/500 level in Anthropology or related fields)
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THESIS OR PROJECT (6 units):
ANTH 597 Project (6)
OR ANTH 598 Thesis (6)
Total Units Required 30 (Minimum 24 units 500-level required)
CLASSIFIED STANDING recommended by committee (prerequisites met and Study Plan approved):
Members:
Faculty Department
Adviser Date Adviser Date
Reviewed in Graduate Office Date
CLASSIFIED GRADUATE STANDING GRANTED Date
Associate Vice President, Academic Programs
PC 7/04 Rec'd Graduate Studies Office:: Copies Sent:
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IV. STEPS TOWARD THE COMPLETION
OF THE M.A. IN ANTHROPOLOGY
[after admission to the program]
1. Make an appointment to see the Graduate Program Advisor to discuss any questions you
have about the M.A. program.
2. If you plan to use postgraduate units toward your M.A., you must petition the Records
Office for approval as soon as possible (see discussion of “Postgraduate Credit” in the
University Catalog).
• For CSUF students with a B.A. coming in to the M.A. program: A maximum of nine units of
500-level classes taken at CSUF may be applied towards the M.A. Study Plan, if they meet the
following criteria:
o The grade earned was a B or better
o The units in questions were taken in the senior year
o The units were not used towards either the 120 units needed for the B.A. or toward the
45 units needed for the B.A. major in Anthropology
• University policy allows graduate students coming from another university to petition for
permission to apply up to nine units of graduate work, in which they earned a B or better,
towards the CSUF Study Plan. However, the Department will determine equivalency, if any, of
such coursework. Under most circumstances, the Department of Anthropology prefers that
students take the entire 30 units of M.A. coursework at CSUF; only the elective course may be
substituted. Anth 480 and Anth 481 are required of all graduate students to fulfill the writing
requirement, per university policy.
3. Become Classified: Graduate students who have completed 9 units of graduate coursework
must file an official M.A. Study Plan to be classified as a graduate student in anthropology.
Discuss your proposed study plan with your thesis advisor. Meet with the Graduate Program
Advisor (GPA) to complete your official Study Plan. The GPA will submit the Study Plan to
the Graduate Studies Office for their approval. Once approved, students and the GPA will be
sent official copies. The department copy will be placed in the student’s file.
4. Work with your Thesis/Project Advisor closely in designing your research, and ask
his or her advice in taking courses that will help you achieve your research goals. Discuss with
your advisor the composition of your thesis committee. At CSUF, the thesis committee is
composed of the thesis advisor (chair) and two other full time faculty members in the
Department of Anthropology. Committee members from outside the department are not
allowed, although they may serve in an unofficial capacity if the thesis advisor approves.
5. Complete Prospectus and Advance to Candidacy: If you have begun working on
your thesis or project with your thesis/project advisor, you must file a copy of the Prospectus
(with the M.A. Prospectus Title Page bearing the signature of your advisor) with the Graduate
Program Advisor. The approved Prospectus will be placed in your file.
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6. Register for EITHER 597 or 598. (See discussion and description of Anth 597 and 598
in Section II.) A MAXIMUM of 6 total units is allowed.
7. File for Graduation: You must file for graduation check in the Cashier's Office six months
before the date of graduation. For example, if you are planning to graduate in June, you must
pay the fee and submit your paperwork in January. It is the student’s responsibility to file for
graduation in a timely manner.
8. Completing the Thesis or Project
• You and your thesis/project committee must hold an Oral Examination called the
“DEFENSE.” The defense is a public event, and the date will be posted at least a week before
it is held. Your thesis/project advisor will schedule the defense.
• Defenses for June graduation must be scheduled, generally, no later than April 15. Defenses for
January graduation must be scheduled no later than November 15. Note: These dates may vary
slightly to accommodate Graduate Studies Office deadlines in a given semester.
• Your complete first draft must be submitted to your thesis/project advisor a minimum of 6
weeks prior to your defense date.
• Check your Unofficial Transcripts in Titan Online and make sure you have been awarded
grades for all the classes in which you have an "RP" (Report in Progress) grade (such as
Independent Study Anth 599, Anth 597 or Anth 598), or any Incompletes you may have. The
instructor of the course must fill out a Change of Grade Form to make these changes.
• Students who registered for Thesis (ANTH 598):
o In preparing your thesis (ANTH 598), follow the format described in the Graduate
Thesis Manual provided by the Graduate Studies Office (available online on the
Graduate Studies website under Graduate Forms and Documents at
http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/currentstudents/graduateforms.html. Consult with
your advisor for correct anthropology citation style. Students should use the M.A. Title
and Approval Page as the front cover of their thesis.
o You must submit a signed and approved copy of the thesis to the Graduate Studies
Office on or before their specified deadline (for the exact due date, consult the current
semester Class Schedule, Graduate Studies Office, or the Graduate Program Advisor).
This copy is printed on regular paper, but includes an original, signed title/approval
page printed on 20 lb, 25% cotton paper.
o After the Graduate Office approves your thesis, print a complete copy on 20 lb, 25%
cotton paper and submit to the Titan Bookstore, along with an original, signed
title/approval page (see current Class Schedule or check with Graduate Studies Office
for exact deadline).
o Two copies of the thesis must be given to the Anthropology Graduate Program Advisor:
one for the Department and one for your thesis advisor.
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o Important: The Department MUST receive a copy of your approved thesis in order
to sign the memo of completion for your M.A. degree.
• Students who registered for Project (ANTH 597):
o In preparing your project, consult with your advisor regarding format guidelines and
proper anthropology citation style. You may use the format described in the Graduate
Thesis Regulations Student Handbook but it is not required for the project. Students
should use the M.A. Title Page as the front cover of their project.
o Two copies of the project must be given to the Department Graduate Program Advisor,
on or before the deadline specified by the Graduate Studies Office (for the exact due
date, consult the current semester Class Schedule, Graduate Studies Office, or the
Graduate Program Advisor).
o Important: The Department MUST receive a copy of your approved project in
order to sign the memo of completion for your M.A. degree.
9. If You Do Not Meet Your Original Target Graduation Date:
• Once you have registered for the 30 units specified on your M.A. Study Plan, if you have not
completed your thesis or project by the graduation date for which you filed, you must register
for GS700 through Extended Education. Please note: you are required to stay continuously
enrolled until you complete your degree. GS700 keeps you enrolled without having to take
additional classes. See the Department Graduate Program Advisor for more information.
• GS700 Procedure:
o Get a Graduation Date Change form from the Graduate Studies Office (MH-103); pay
$10 at the Cashier; and file for a new graduation date
o Take the GS700 form to the Graduate Program Advisor, who must sign it before
submission to the Graduate Studies Office.
o File the GS700 application with the Graduate Studies Office (along with your
completed change of date form and receipt).
o Take the paperwork given you by the Graduate Studies Office to Extended Education
(College Park, Room 100) to pay the fee for GS700.
o You must re-file for GS700, as described above, for every fall or spring semester you
need to extend. GS700 is not needed for the summer term.
• Most students complete the M.A. degree within two or three years. Five years is the time limit
for completion, although under extraordinary circumstances it is possible to petition to the
Graduate Studies Office for an extension to seven years. At the five year point, you must file
for the extension. The Department of Anthropology discourages extension beyond five years.
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• Course work expires after five years and must be retaken or validated. Approval of the petition
for extension to seven years moves the expiration date to seven years, at which time courses
must be retaken or validated. A maximum of 9 units may be validated; expired courses beyond
9 units must be retaken.
V. GUIDELINES FOR THE PROSPECTUS (PROPOSAL)
Please consult your thesis advisor for the specific content and format for your thesis prospectus.
Generally, the prospectus for the MA in Anthropology is about 5-10 pages long, and it incorporates the
following information:
1. A 100-200 word abstract: A brief summary of the thesis/project
2. Statement of the objective(s): Statement of the problem, research questions, hypothesis being
tested, project, or descriptive study proposed for ethnographic or library research
3. Review of the relevant literature
4. Theoretical framework of the proposed study
5. Methodology or procedures for gathering information and completing the objectives of the
study
6. Expected completion date (your expected graduation date, e.g. June 2012)
7. Bibliography (includes any references cited, and may include a selection of resources the
student plans to use in the thesis or project)
The Project/Thesis Advisor must forward the Prospectus (Proposal) with the signed title page to the
Graduate Program Advisor. A template for the Prospectus Title Page can be found on the department
website at http://anthro.fullerton.edu/GradHandbook/prospectus.pdf.
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VI. THESIS INFORMATION AND FORMATTING TIPS
The following guidelines are appropriate for either thesis or project. For thesis (Anth 598) you
should also obtain a copy of the much more detailed “Graduate Thesis Manual” under Graduate
Forms and Documents on the Graduate Studies Office website, at
http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/currentstudents/graduateforms.html.
1. Margins
For all theses and projects, use a 1.5” margin on the left, and 1” margins on top, right side, and bottom.
2. Top Margins for Major Pages
The first page of each chapter and all other major titles (abstract, table of contents, and references
cited) must begin 2” from the top of the page.
3. Title and Approval Page
Use template (available on department website) for either Thesis (Anth 598) or Project (Anth 597).
The title of the thesis or project must be capitalized. The thesis or project chair’s name is listed first;
list committee members alphabetically.
4. Paper and Binding
A copy of the final Thesis (Anth 598) or Project (Anth 597) MUST be submitted to the Department of
Anthropology. It should be printed on regular printer paper, with an original signed title page. The
Department copy (and a copy for your thesis advisor) should be velo-bound at Kinko’s (use a clear
cover and black back). The cost for velo-binding is approximately $3.50.
For Thesis (Anth 598) only, the defended final draft is submitted to the Graduate Studies Office
printed on regular paper, but with one original signed title page on 20 lb. 25% cotton paper. The
Graduate Thesis Reader will advise you about any changes you need to make. After the Graduate
Office approves the thesis, you must print your entire final, corrected thesis on 20 lb. 25% cotton paper
for submission to the Bookstore. The cost is approximately $200.
5. Order of Parts
• Title and Approval page
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• List of Illustrations, Figures, Tables (use a separate page for each type, if any)
• Preface, acknowledgements, or foreword (if any)
• Your Chapters
• Conclusion (your last chapter)
• Appendix (if any)
• References Cited
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6. Numbering of Pages
(1) Everything before Chapter One is “frontis material.” All frontis pages are numbered consecutively
with small Roman numerals (using however many you need) at bottom, center (1” from bottom).
• Title and Approval page is understood to be page i, but it is not numbered.
• Abstract is page ii
• Table of Contents is page iii (and however many pages you need)
• And so on.
(2) The first page of Chapter One is page 1.
• All text pages from this point on, through appendix and references, use regular Arabic
numbers, which should be in the top right corner (1” from top and side).
• Exception: for Thesis (598), the page numbers for first pages of each chapter must be bottom,
centered (1” from bottom).
7. Format, Letter Case, and Spacing in the Table of Contents
Use capital and lower case letters as shown in the example below. Double space between major
entries; single space between sub-headings—see example below.
ABSTRACT................................................................................................ii Justify numbers on right
LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................iv Note: right hand margin
is compressed for
LIST OF FIGURES.....................................................................................v demonstration purposes
PREFACE...................................................................................................vi Chapter title and heading
names are for
Chapter demonstration only.
I. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................1 Use titles of your choice
as appropriate.
Purpose.............................................................................................1
Definitions........................................................................................3
Research Questions. ........................................................................5
II. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE...................................................8
Culture..............................................................................................8
Archaeology...................................................................................15
Biology...........................................................................................20
III. DATA COLLECTION...................................................................25
[and so on.......]
VI. CONCLUSION.............................................................................100
APPENDIX...............................................................................................110
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REFERENCES CITED.............................................................................115
8. Titles and Headings
The word “CHAPTER” should begin 2” from the top of the page. Chapter title is capitalized. Headings
are analogous to an outline; thus, sub-sections under a heading should be related organizationally to
that heading. Read the text below, which explains proper use and format of headings.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This is a Primary Heading
After a primary heading, indent your paragraph as usual. There is one double space between
your paragraph and your primary heading, and 3 spaces between your chapter title and your primary
heading. Primary headings should be listed in the table of contents, and the wording must match
exactly in both places. Use secondary headings if you wish to sub-divide the major ideas contained
within your primary heading. Subdivide ONLY if there are two or more necessary divisions.
This is a Secondary Heading or Sub-Heading
A secondary heading is an ordinary double space below the previous paragraph, and it begins
on the left margin. Indent text of paragraph as usual. There is no period after a secondary heading.
The graduate office would like secondary headings to also be included in your table of contents.
Make sure that your headings in both table of contents and text match exactly. Use tertiary headings if
you wish to further subdivide the information contained within your secondary heading into two or
more sections.
This is a Tertiary Heading. This third level heading is indented as you would indent a
paragraph, and is underlined, with a period after it. Whether you include these in your Table of
Contents is up to you. For all sections with headings, use the basic rules of outlining. Each Tertiary
section is a sub-division of, and should be relevant to, the Secondary section it comes under. Each
Secondary section is a sub-division of, and should be relevant to, the Primary section it is under.
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