Undergraduate: Home | Prospective | Current | Research | Contact Us
Anthropology
409 Carpenter Building
814-865-2509
Visit Us
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Anthropology is the comparative study of human biological and cultural variation, past and present. As a science, anthropology formulates and tests generalizations that explain this diversity. The major focuses on the biological and cultural variations of human populations through the sub-disciplines of archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology.
The anthropology department has a particularly strong quantitative orientation in human biology, cultural and biological evolution, demography, and cultural ecology. The faculty has conducted research in Mexico, New Guinea, Sardinia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Honduras, Europe, and the United States. The Department of Anthropology offers a minor for students enrolled in other academic majors.
RELATED EXPERIENCES
The undergraduate major in Anthropology is both as an essential component in the liberal education of the student and as a preparation for a professional career in teaching, research, or government service. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to acquaint students with all of the sub-disciplines, but allows sufficient flexibility so that each may pursue a particular field of interest. In addition to class work, students receive practical training in laboratory and field work and may participate in the summer field school in archaeology or in a research internship.
CAREER DIRECTIONS
The broad education involved in the Anthropology major is helpful for a wide variety of careers in human biology, Foreign Service, international development, cultural resource management, or for work in programs abroad. Other courses may be combined with the Anthropology major to prepare for other careers in areas such as social work, public administration, or local government. Business training may be combined with the major in preparation for work in management, accounting, advertising, personnel selection, and other fields. Some occupations in which Penn State anthropology graduates are currently employed include physician, attorney, anthropologist, archaeologist, art conservator, teacher, social worker, human biologist, forensic anthropologist, journalist, community planner, genealogist, market researcher, museum administrator, public administrator, international tour operator, and public affairs representative.
At least a master's degree is needed for a career in professional anthropology. For promotion to top positions, a Ph.D. is generally necessary. Many professional anthropologists teach in colleges and universities and often combine research with teaching. Others work for various government agencies or private firms. Their research may involve extensive travel to research locations.