Major, Minor
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
#20
Most Accessible Professors
(The Princeton Review)
Anthropology
#20
Most Accessible Professors
(The Princeton Review)
Anthropology (from the Greek anthropos, for human, and loggia, for science) is the study of human behavior, from the dawn of time to present day.
Today's anthropologists do not work only in exotic locations; they can be found in corporations, government, educational institutions and non-profit associations at home and abroad. Anthropologists were there at Ground Zero and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, gathering crucial data.
Anthropology attracts people who want to understand why things happen and are eager to tackle big human problems, such as poverty, hunger, overpopulation and warfare. As such, the study of anthropology is more relevant than ever.
Careers after Union
Graphic: career paths of Union Anthropology majors
Anthropology majors often take positions in business and government, lending their talents to such fields as advertising, market research, public relations, banking, merchandising, medicine, journalism and management consulting. They are also ideally suited to such governmental positions as foreign service officers, urban planners and counselors. And because this is a discipline that focuses on cross-cultural understanding, you will find anthropologists working for agencies of the United Nations (such as UNESCO), the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the Peace Corps and the Agency for International Development.
Here is what some alumni have been up to:
- Researcher, Mexican Institute for Competitiveness
- Teacher, Kearsage Regional School District
- Deputy director of training and development, Central Coast Children’s Fund
- Social media strategist, Nu Val
- Web content coordinator, law firm of Ropes & Gray LLP
- Artist, Waltham Mills Artists Association
- Public relations associate, RF Binder
A Sampling of Courses
Political Anthropology
An introduction to anthropological approaches to the study of politics. Students examine influential theories of power, democracy and the state and apply them to understanding particular cases in various areas of the world.
Myth, Ritual and Magic
This course examines some of the theoretical issues surrounding myth, ritual and magic as well as specific examples of their cultural expression. How do people make sense of themselves, their society and the world through myth and ritual?
Sport, Society and Culture
The comparative study of the role of sport in society. Topics include the meaning of play and sport; the evolution of sport; sport and socialization; ritual in sport; sport and gender; sport and race; sport and education; and sport, conflict and violence.
