LEARN + EXPLORE

Anthropology is the study of humankind in all times and places. A holistic discipline, anthropologists study every aspect of the human condition, including cultural, material and biological topics.  Areas of special concern include human origins, ethnicity, diversity, gender, race, class, environment, and global development.

Four sub-disciplines form the anthropological perspective.

·  Archaeology explores long-term cultural evolution based on the material remains left by prehistoric and historic peoples.

·  Cultural anthropology analyzes social and cultural phenomena such as religion, kinship systems, and political and economic structures among living societies.

·  Biological anthropology examines the biological characteristics of humans, including the study of hominid evolution, genetics, and primates.

·  Linguistics (taught in the Department of English) seeks to understand the history of language and the way living people use it.

Anthropology provides a way of thinking about people in social groups and the way these groups function that has practical applications in many fields.

PROGRAMS + INVOLVEMENT

Departmental Major in Anthropology, 43-44 hours: This major requires 28 hours of core courses and 15-16 hours of elective courses in anthropology. The program emphasizes active learning with a hands-on approach and a close working relationship between faculty and students.

Departmental Minor in Anthropology, 18-19 hours: This minor includes the introductory course for two of the three primary subdivisions of anthropology and 12 additional hours of electives in anthropology. It combines well with majors in fields such as biology, geography, geology, history, natural resources, philosophy, political science, psychology, or sociology.

Departmental Minor in Native American Studies, Anthropology Concentration, 18 hours: This interdisciplinary minor, drawing on faculty from anthropology, history, and English, provides an overview of American Indians and their cultures. It involves 9 hours of required courses and nine hours of electives. This minor focuses on major aspects of Native American life in North America, such as history, culture, values, literature, and art, increasing your awareness of the diversity of cultures native to our continent through discussion of current social issues, including religious freedoms, property rights, economics, health care, etc.

A background in Native American studies can lead to careers in many fields, such as:

·  Federal, state, and local government agencies

·  Bureau of Indian Affairs

·  Politics and law

·  Social services and counseling

·  Museum and archival work

·  Public and private school teaching and administration

·  Tribal language preservation and immersion programs

Through participation in departmental activities such as the Anthropology Club, faculty members and students regularly get together outside the classroom.  Anthropology students and faculty members attend various lecture series, travel to local and national meetings, and socialize at picnics and dinners. 

Our experienced faculty and staff believe training should extend beyond the classroom. Each summer the anthropology department offers an archaeological field school at a regional site in Indiana. Experiences in cultural anthropology are available through field trips and field studies to the American Southwest and other destinations.  We provide opportunities for immersive learning, real-world research, internships, and field studies. Our high-tech facilities, including the Applied Archaeology Laboratories, will allow you to gain valuable applied experiences and training in anthropology. You can use these experiences as résumé builders and for your own personal growth.

CAREERS + OUTCOMES

Archaeologist

Business Professional

Communications Professional

Medical Researcher

Museum Curator

Organizational Consultant

Planner

Researcher

Teacher

FACULTY + RESOURCES

Anthropology faculty members specialize in the cultural anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology of the New and Old Worlds.  Many of the faculty members have substantial experience in applied anthropology.  Applied anthropology uses anthropological concepts and methods for problem-oriented, practical purposes in the contemporary world.  Cultural anthropologists in the department study Native American cultures in North America (Dr. Boyd), ecological anthropology in Oceania (Dr. Wohlt), and information technology in Romania (Drs. Bader and Nyce).  Archaeology faculty members study the prehistoric archaeology of the Midwest (Dr. Hill), the historical archaeology of the eastern United States (Dr. Groover), and the Late Neolithic through Iron Age periods in Ireland (Dr. Hicks).  Biological anthropologists in the department specialize in the bioarchaeology of the Southeast (Dr. Hogue) and human growth and development (Dr. Bowers).

The Department of Anthropology is housed in the Burkhardt Building. In addition to classrooms, offices, and a conference and seminar room, the department has a museum and a large, well-equipped archaeology facility. Students can gain experience in archaeological research, often while being paid, through working on field surveys, on excavations, and in the laboratory.

ADMISSION + SCHOLARSHIP

The Department of Anthropology awards two scholarships of $2,500 annually (the actual figure may vary slightly) to outstanding undergraduate anthropology majors entering their senior year.  One of the scholarships is named for benefactor Byron Troyer and the other scholarship is named for his wife, Iona Troyer.

Applications for these scholarships are accepted during the spring semester of the applicant's junior year and are due by the third Friday in March.

In addition, students may find information on general university scholarships at www.bsu.edu/finaid.