Majoring in Anthropology

ANTHROPOLOGY

Why Major in Anthropology?

I’ve been fascinated with archeology and anthropology even since I was a young kid. Studying anthropology in college has been one of my life goals. But if you are uncertain about what you should major in, I’ve jotted down a few thoughts on why I think a major in anthropology would be a great part of your liberal arts curriculum.

The purpose of a liberal arts education is to teach students how to:

think critically
manage unfamiliar information and experiences
solve problems
learn how to learn new skills quickly and effectively
express their ideas verbally, and
write clearly and effectively in multiple genres
work effectively, individually and as part of a group

Anthropology majors learn all of this and more. Anthropology is the combination of the physical sciences, social sciences, history, and the humanities, so it is the ultimate liberal arts discipline.

Anthropology at its heart is the holistic study of mankind. It is the study of people – their origins, adaptations and ecology, distribution, customs, languages, and social and religious beliefs. Anthropologists study everything from human genetics to how societies function. They study the prehistoric past to the present, from preliterate tribes to modern industrial societies. Anthropologists explore human evolution, reconstruct ancient societies and civilizations, and analyze the cultures and languages of people, both in the U.S. and around the world.

An anthropology major introduces students to the major subsets of anthropology including biological anthropology (my personal favorite), archaeology, linguistic anthropology, socio-cultural anthropology, and applied anthropology.

As an anthropology major, students learn to suspend judgment, seek evidence, understand change, compare and contrast information, and learn how to use data to make connections.

Along the way, students learn research skills, learn how to write in both an academic and business setting, learn how to organize information, solve problems, and work both independently, and in collaboration with faculty and other students.

These skills are valuable in a wide range of careers and can help you live a stimulating and satisfying life.

Because of the flexible course requirements, anthropology lends itself to a double major or a major with teaching certification.

If you are interested in the biological and cultural aspects of human development and behavior from its origins to the present and want to know more about who we are, where we come from, and how mankind responds to the challenges it faces, then majoring in anthropology would be a good choice for you.

What I’ve Learned as an Anthropology Major

What I’ve learned as an anthropology major at the Ohio State University.

Human Relations

To better understand and appreciate cultures other than my own
To work effectively as part of a group
To appreciate different ways of life
To understand how individuals react within society over time
How to determine what data is relevant
How to survey, sample and collect data
How to apply knowledge of ethnic origins & history

Scientific Skills

Laboratory skills
Analyzing and drawing conclusions from sets of raw data
Dating artifacts and human remains
Researching origins and uses of artifacts
Examining development over time
Providing information about human biological and cultural development
Investigating and understanding historical events and conditions

Investigative Skills

How to observe people/data/things
How to organize ideas, materials, objects, and data
How to analyze relationships between factors
How to use sampling methodologies

Cultural Skills

How to gather cultural information
How to conduct field studies
How to sample and survey in order to collect relevant data
How to compare and analyze data
How to examining archeological remains, settlements, tools, pottery, artifacts

Project Development & Management Skills

How to plan and design projects
How to maintain records and tabulate data
How to effectively summarize and present results in writing and in oral presentations
How to develop/generate research ideas