Major Requirements | Minor Requirements | University Core 39 | Class Schedules
Anthropology is the study of human behavior. People who work in anthropology study human evolution, archaeology, forensics, language, and human cultures. In short, everything that humans do is part of anthropology.
Anthropology considers such questions as why and how people from distant parts of the world are different and the same, how the human species has evolved over millions of years, and how individuals understand and operate in different cultural settings.
The Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree program in anthropology at the University of Southern Indiana prepares students for the professional world and opens doors to various career paths. Courses provide global information and thinking skills critical to such fields as international business and law, public health, human resources, teaching, advocacy, and public service.
While the job market for university-based anthropologists is relatively steady, demand for anthropological training is increasing in other areas. There is a growing need for analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who can manage, evaluate, and interpret information on human culture and behavior.
Anthropology Programs
Students may complete a major or a minor in anthropology. The major in anthropology culminates in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
Students can choose courses from the three major subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology.
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 12 semester hours in the same foreign language or demonstration of proficiency at that level of study.
In addition to the departmental degree requirements, students must complete the University Core 39.
Cultural Anthropology
The cultural anthropology subfield focuses on cultures, traditions, rituals, and languages of human life. Cultural anthropologists study and help others understand the behaviors of and communication between and within cultural groups.
Career opportunities for cultural anthropology graduates include local, state, national, and international business, as well as national and state parks, consumer and market research companies, museums, historical sites, environmental conservation and agricultural firms, local and state government, and other social science and service occupations.
Archaeology and Physical Anthropology
The archaeology and physical anthropology subfield focuses on the discovery and investigation of physical evidence of human life and how it can help the understanding of culture.
Archaeology and physical anthropology graduates find employment in cultural resource management and historic preservation, museums of natural history or science, zoological management or breeding, medical examiners and coroners, police departments, and public health departments. Additionally, hospitals, regional primate centers, and private biomedical oriented research laboratories employ trained physical anthropologists.
Though many careers in this subfield required graduate study, entry-level laboratory, exhibition assistant, technician, public education and outreach, and research assistant positions are available for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science graduates.
