Anthropology

Major Related
Resources

Department of
Anthropology
Student Building 130

Career Related
Resources

Career Resource
Library
625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 812-855-0576

IUB Libraries Career Resources
Anthropology/Archeology Careers
Museum Careers
Liberal Arts Careers
10th Street & Jordan Avenue
Phone: 812-855-0100

Description of Major

Anthropology is the study of human beings. The study of what it means to be a human being ranges from the study of culture and social relations, to human biology and evolution. It includes the study of language, performance, arts, tools, and ancient cultures. Anthropologists ask questions about how human behavior changes over time, how people move about their world, why and how people from distant parts of the world and dissimilar cultures are different and the same, how the human species evolved over millions of years, and how individuals understand and operate in distinct cultural settings. Anthropology includes four broad sub-fields - socio-cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, bio-anthropology, and archaeology. Each of these sub-fields is represented at Indiana University and teaches distinctive skills such as applying theories, employing research methodologies, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing extensive sets of data. Undergraduate majors in the Anthropology program are required to take classes in all four of the sub-fields and therefore are able to take advantage of a variety of ideas, skills and practices that make up the field of anthropology.

Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of Study

Anthropology prepares students to look at the world holistically, allowing them not only to take in and understand information from a variety of sources, but to reflect critically on that information, evaluate its position in relation to other sets of information and seek answers to important questions. Students will learn to analyze human behavior, organization and development and how to apply that analysis across multiple cultural settings. The skills acquired with an anthropology degree include intercultural competence, quantitative and qualitative data gathering skills such as interviewing, participant observation, and ethnographic study. Students will learn how to collect, analyze and record material and personal data, develop strong written and oral presentation skills, and learn how to think critically. Students will develop attention to detail and acquire keen research abilities.

Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this Major

Biology, chemistry, computer science, folklore, foreign language, journalism, geology, law, health sciences, psychology, business, classical studies, education, area studies, sociology.

Career Options

Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree

Because IU offers undergraduates training in all four of the sub-fields employment is possible in any of them. Employment is available in contract/private archaeology firms, physical anthropology labs, museums, environmental studies, public health, law enforcement (assisting agencies in skeletal forensic identification) and working with primates in zoos and field studies.

Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree

Researchers, evaluators, administrators, health-related occupations, international business personnel, market researchers, national and international development work, social service sector jobs, and business management and sales, particularly in companies operating in or with non-Western societies, government service jobs, and intercultural training.

Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree

University professor, museum curator, exhibitor or director, forensic anthropologist, project leader for an archaeological dig, upper level administration in international development organizations, medical anthropologist in clinical setting, market research director.

Employment Opportunities

Job Outlook

Anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths. It provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy and public service. As trends towards global interconnections increase so should jobs requiring skills obtained with an anthropology degree.

Salary Information

Entry level positions are highly variable, but annual starting salaries generally range between $25,000-$35,000.

Potential Career Growth

Variable, but most positions can be expected to lead to long-term employment, offering good prospects for advancement.

Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this Major

Not available.

High School Preparation

Students can acquire all necessary preparation for the major through courses at IU. Other than meeting IU's general admission requirements there are no special prerequisites for the major. High school students can better prepare themselves for a degree in anthropology if they begin they the study of foreign language. Prospective majors can also avail themselves of any anthropology-related courses or advanced courses in the social sciences, natural sciences, or humanities. It can also be helpful if students acquire basic skills in statistics and computer applications.

Special Opportunities

The Department of Anthropology at Indiana University provides a number of opportunities for students to get experience in the field outside of a traditional classroom setting. Internships are available through the Mathers Museum of World Cultures. Students are also able to work as assistants in the Glen Black Lab, home to one of the leading archaeological artifacts in the Midwest. Positions as assistants are also available in the zoo archaeology lab. A summer field school on Indiana archaeology is available every summer. Through the Overseas Study office students can attend a field school in Belize. A number of other programs offered through the Overseas Study office provide students with the opportunity to design individual research programs, as well as obtain anthropology credit to apply towards their major.

The faculty is eager to work with undergraduate students. Students can develop independent research projects in conjunction with faculty members and an honors program is available to juniors and seniors. Qualified students can pursue a joint major between business and anthropology through the LAMP program. The LAMP program has proved to be a highly successful joint program and provides an excellent opportunity for students looking to combine a social science degree with a business background. An active Undergraduate Anthropology Society introduces majors and other students to a variety of experiences from field trips to lectures and career planning.

Noted Alumni

Graduates of IU Bloomington's Anthropology program have gone on to careers, in archaelogy, education, marketing, writing and editing, film and video production, museum work, academia as well as countless other areas.