Anthropology

Anthropology

What is Anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of humanity. Its subject of study encompasses the range of human experience among the people of the world, and its aims are to understand what people do or have done, and why. Every aspect of human beings, from their DNA molecules to their beliefs about the super-natural, in every part of the world, from the beginnings of primate evolution to the present, poses anthropological questions. Some of the most interesting of these questions remain to be answered.

For these and many other reasons, anthropology is central to the liberal arts. The anthropology program is designed to cultivate a lively curiosity about the human experience, a deeper understanding of cultures and diverse ways of life including our own. It works toward developing an informed sense of human experience, past and present, and of the many ways of knowing, understanding and communicating. These studies encourage critical reasoning abilities and skills that promote a life of continuous learning, which are of immeasurable value pursuing a range of careers and goals in a world in which global diversity has become, more than ever, an inescapable aspect of life.

Working in Anthropology
Characteristics and Skills Necessary for Success

• Curiosity about people and the differences in cultures and societies
• Enjoy travelling and doing research
• Have above average ability in reading and writing
• Have strong analytical skills
• Be able to use computers for research
• Good aptitude for language

Sample Job Titles

Anthropologist Archaeologist Archivist Conservator Counselor Curator Ecologist Environmentalist Forensic Scientist Genealogist Geographer Historian Interpreter Lawyer Museum Technician Physician Policy consultant Political Scientist Professor Researcher Social Scientist Social Worker Teacher-PostSecondary

Learning More About Anthropology

• Visit the Career Services office and check out our Career Resource Library
• Visit the SLU Anthropology Department website
• Check out Anthropology course descriptions in the Catalog
• Talk with a professor in Anthropology about the major. Click here for a list of possible questions to ask.
• Perform an informational interview with a professional in the field. Click here for information on how to find a professional, contacting them, and a list of possible questions. 
• Get connected with a SLU alum in the field through SAINTSLink, participate in Shadow-a-Saint or complete an Internship.

Additional Resources

• Professional Associations and Job Postings
  
  • American Anthropological Association
  • American Association of Physical Anthropologists
  • National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
  • National Association of Student Anthropologists
  • Society for American Archaeology
  • Society for Historical Archeology
  • American Academy of Forensic Science


• Miscellaneous Information
  • Spotlight on Careers
  • Careers in Physical Anthropology
  • FAQ About Careers in Archeology
  • Careers in Archaeology

Related Majors and Minors at SLU
African Studies
Asian Studies
Canadian Studies
Caribbean and Latin American Studies
European Studies
Francophone Studies
German Studies
Geology
Global Studies
Government
History
Japanese Studies
Native American Studies
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish