<p>I am going to be a senior in highschool and things like prehistory and human evolution, the way humans spread across the landscape have always interested me. I am not sure if that is what anthroplogists study but I would like to find out. Is anybody willing to explain what an anthropology major does? and how I can expose myself to it before college? Thanks</p>
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<p>I think I have answered this type of question before, but cannot remember where, so I will offer my knowledge.</p>
<p>Anthropology is one of the broadest fields in academia, it is literally “the study of man”. It has 4 primary subfields: socio-cultural anthropology, biological/physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology and archeaology. Most undergraduate programs focus on socio-cultural and archeaology, because they are the two largest subfields, but biological anthropology is growing at several universities.</p>
<p>Based on what you briefly mentioned you are either interested in paleoanthropology (the study of hominids), archeaology or genetics. I cannot go more specific because I do not know if you are considering “prehistory.” There is both historical and prehistorical archeaology. But if by “prehistory” you mean early homo sapiens, then you are solidly interested in paleoanthropology.</p>
<p>As for “what an anthropology major does”: he/she reads, researches and writes. Archeaology students usually go on digs for a semester abroad. Honestly, while the material is subject specific, the program is no different than those of other liberal arts. </p>
<p>As for preparation, you need to research schools. Anthropology is not like English, it is not offered everywhere. Furthermore, since you are more interested in the scientic and archeaological aspects, you should not apply to programs combined with sociology. Those programs are limited to socio-cultural anthropology (think why cultures answer the big questions the way they do). Instead you want to find schools with strong anthropology programs that have archeaologists as faculty. Every state will have at least one state school with this and numerous private schools contain strong anthropology programs.</p>
<p>My only other advice is to watch PBS specials on humanity and human evolution/migration, read any sort of books/articles that interest you and keep an open mind. Be aware that you will learn some rediculous things in anthropology and more importantly, you will be expected to see other points of view without your own cultural framework judging it. It is not easy and the gut reaction will always exist, but in the end you will know so much more about yourself, the world around you and your history. Good luck with your college search and I hope I helped.</p>
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<p>Hi Ananas94,</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior in the anthropology program at Rutgers University. Are there any more specific details you want to know about that baked_potato didn’t cover?</p>
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<p>@baked_potato: Thank you so much. That certainly cleared up quite a bit of my confusion. I am definately interested in pre-history, so i guess paleoanthropology it is. But I also get a kick out of wondering how religion got started, which i suppose would be more of the socio-cultural one. Haha do I have to pick one or do some schools have good programs in both? Right now my number one choice is University of Chicagol. Just from what I know of their departments I would assume they specialize in socio-cultural but I have no idea. Any suggestions of smallish private schools with good paleoanthropolgy programs.</p>
<p>@terminus: That is so awesome! do you mean field specific details? Or general ones? Here is a question: Which came first the chicken or the egg? Just kidding. How much field work have you done, or are planning to do? What do anthropolgy majors do out of college? Do they have to work in museums?</p>
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<p>
[Duke</a> University | Evolutionary Anthropology: Home](<a href=“http://evolutionaryanthropology.duke.edu/]Duke”>http://evolutionaryanthropology.duke.edu/)</p>
<p>[Emory</a> - Anthropology & Human Biology](<a href=“Error 404 | Emory University | Atlanta GA”>Error 404 | Emory University | Atlanta GA)</p>
<p>Given your interests, I think it would be a very good idea to consider geography in addition to anthropology. Often it is quite closely linked to anthropology, and it provides skills that make it a more marketable degree.</p>
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<p>Anthropology is actually my second major, and I do it purely out of interest, so I’m not too involved in fieldwork and all that. But our school offers a study abroad program over the summer at Koobi Fora in Kenya, a famous archaeological site. They also have a cultural anthropological program where you work on development projects and study the legal system in Bolivia. I will do a senior thesis in SOMETHING when the time comes, though I haven’t figured that out yet, hahaha. Anthropology majors out of college with a bachelor’s degree aren’t exactly the most sought after in the job market; that’s why I added a second major. Almost everything requires a Master’s. If you want to do research you’d likely have to become a PhD candidate. Museum curators NEED Master’s, and the competition is very keen. There is also working in user experience and marketing as options.</p>
<p>U Chicago is a great school for anthropology, I have a friend who was an archeaology student there and he truely loved it. Rutgers is also a top 10 anthro school for graduate study. I went to BU for undergrad, which is the only school in the US to offer a separate archeaology major. It has a growing biological program. Duke is currently the “poster child” of biological anthropology. One thing, if you choose archeaology/paleaoanthropology you can work on digs with just a BA for a few years before going back to school for advanced degrees.</p>
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<p>johns hopkins also offers a archaeology major</p>
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