Anthropology Major

B.A. and B.S. degrees

Required Courses I (7 hours):

  • ANT 170 (3) Cultural Anthropology
  • ANT 171 (3) Physical Anthropology
  • ANT 173 (1) Laboratory in Physical Anthropology

Required Courses II (3 hours):
(Select one of the following)

  • ANT 174 (3) Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology
OR
  • ANT 175 (3) Archaeology of the Americas

Required Courses III (3 hours):
(Select one of the following)

  • ANT 426 (3) Method and Theory in Archaeology
OR
  • ANT 451 (3) History of Anthropological Thought

Electives I (3-12 hours):

A. Cultural and Social Anthropology : Select at least one of the following:

  • ANT 200 (3) Education and Culture
  • ANT 320 (3) North American Indian Cultures
  • ANT 321 (3) Cultures of Latin America
  • ANT 322 (3) Cultures of Africa
  • ANT 365 (3) Current American Indian Issues
  • ANT 368 (3) Hispanic Cultures of the U.S.
  • ANT 370 (3) Hispanic Cultures of the U.S.
  • ANT 428 (3) Ecological Anthropology
  • ANT 451 (3) History of Anthropological Thought
  • ANT 457 (3) Globalization and Society
  • ANT 459 (3) Anthropology of Religion
  • ANT 505 (3) Applied Anthropology
  • ANT 506 (3) Comparative Cultural Systems
  • ANT 520 (3) Medical Anthropology
  • ANT 590 (3) Gender, Culture, and Society

B. Physical Anthropology:
Select at least one of the following:

  • ANT 244 (3) Human Origins: Multidisciplinary Issues
  • ANT 342 (3) Forensic Anthropology
  • ANT 347 (3) Human Evolution
  • ANT 351 (3) Human Variation
  • ANT 356 (3) Primate Behavior

C. Archaeology:
Select at least one of the following:

  • ANT 240 (1-4) Archaeological Field & Laboratory Techniques
  • ANT 340 (3) South American Archaeology
  • ANT 344 (3) Michigan Archaeology
  • ANT 500 (3-6) Field School in Archaeology

With the approval of the advisor: ANT 388, 465, 498, and 588 may be counted in any of the three groups according to course content; electives may include up to 6 hours in related disciplines

Total: 31 semester hours

  1. The anthropology advisor must approve transfer credit for required course for the Anthropology Major.
  2. No more than 15 credits of transfer credit can count toward the Anthropology Major.
  3. No more than 3 credits in the major can be taken as Credit/No Credit.
  4. ANT 426 and ANT 451 for majors cannot be taken as Credit/No Credit.
  5. No Anthropology course at the 500 level can be taken by majors for Credit/No Credit.

Cognate Areas of Study

Students considering careers or graduate study in anthropology are encouraged to consult with an Anthropology advisor about minors, University Program courses, and other cognate areas of study. Anthropology majors are especially encouraged to develop skills in foreign languages and writing. Other topics and skills important to anthropologists include Computer Science, Geography (including mapping), History, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Photography, Speech, and Statistics.

Recommended Minors

For careers in Cultural/Social Anthropology: Sociology, Economics, Foreign Languages, History, Political Science, American Indian Studies, American Ethnic Studies, Latin American Studies, Women's Studies.

For careers in Archaeology and Biological Anthropology: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, History, Nutrition, or Health Sciences.

Careers in Anthropology

Anthropologists are increasingly employed in non-academic settings as well as in colleges and universities. Examples of employment opportunities in anthropology include:

  • Teaching in Universities and Colleges: In anthropology departments, medical schools, international studies programs.
  • Museums: Exhibit design, conservation of and research with collections, museum administration.
  • Federal Agencies: Many archaeologists and cultural anthropologists work for the National Park Service, the Agency for International Development, the National Institutes of Health, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies. Some are also employed as staff members for Congressional committees.
  • International Agencies: Anthropologists with expertise in cultures of developing countries are employed by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank.
  • Consulting: Includes historical and ethnographic research for Indian tribes; forensic work for police agencies; archaeological survey and excavation, social/cultural impact assessment for large-scale construction projects; designing bilingual and bicultural curricula with school professionals; assessing health care services for specific cultural groups.