Anthropology is the study of human beings. The study of what it means to be a human being ranges from the study of culture and social relations, to human biology and evolution.
Description of Major
Anthroplogy includes the study of language, performance, arts, tools, and ancient cultures. Anthropologists ask questions about how human behavior changes over time, how people move about their world, why and how people from distant parts of the world and dissimilar cultures are different and the same, how the human species evolved over millions of years, and how individuals understand and operate in distinct cultural settings. Anthropology includes four broad sub-fields - socio-cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, bio-anthropology, and archaeology
Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of Study
Anthropology prepares students to look at the world holistically, allowing them not only to take in and understand information from a variety of sources, but to reflect critically on that information, evaluate its position in relation to other sets of information and seek answers to important questions. Students will learn to analyze human behavior, organization and development and how to apply that analysis across multiple cultural settings. The skills acquired with an anthropology degree include intercultural competence, quantitative and qualitative data gathering skills such as interviewing, participant observation, and ethnographic study. Students will learn how to collect, analyze and record material and personal data, develop strong written and oral presentation skills, and learn how to think critically. Students will develop attention to detail and acquire keen research abilities.
Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this Major
Biology, chemistry, computer science, folklore, foreign language, journalism, geology, law, health sciences, psychology, business, classical studies, education, area studies, sociology.
Career Options
Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree
Employment is available in contract/private archaeology firms, physical anthropology labs, museums, environmental studies, public health, law enforcement (assisting agencies in skeletal forensic identification) and working with primates in zoos and field studies.
Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree
Researchers, evaluators, administrators, health-related occupations, international business personnel, market researchers, national and international development work, social service sector jobs, and business management and sales, particularly in companies operating in or with non-Western societies, government service jobs, and intercultural training.
Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree
University professor, museum curator, exhibitor or director, forensic anthropologist, project leader for an archaeological dig, upper level administration in international development organizations, medical anthropologist in clinical setting, market research director.
Employment Opportunities
Job Outlook
Anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths. It provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy and public service. As trends towards global interconnections increase so should jobs requiring skills obtained with an anthropology degree.
High School Preparation
High school students can better prepare themselves for a degree in anthropology if they begin the study of foreign language. Prospective majors can also avail themselves of any anthropology-related courses or advanced courses in the social sciences, natural sciences, or humanities. It can also be helpful if students acquire basic skills in statistics and computer applications.
