Trying to focus my interests, looking for niche programs/majors.

<p>I will be a transferring into an undergraduate program in approximately a year from a California Community College.</p>

<p>Problem: I can't quite pinpoint a unified major I want to go into.</p>

<p>Goal: To research and understand History, Anthropology, and Evolutionary Biology to impact social institutions through Economics and Law.</p>

<p>So, five majors down to two, is essentially the reduction I need to figure out. I've thought about Economic Anthropology and Law as a possible double major.</p>

<p>Any suggestions on schools that have good programs in all these areas, or any possible majors that might encompass many of these fields would be extremely helpful.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>-Eric Chisler</p>

<p>Comparative and/or environmental history takes in some of your interests. You could combine this with an economics or anthropology major. Law is a postgrad field so you can pursue a law degree after you get a BA. </p>

<p>Econ anth is a subfield of cultural anthropology—you can’t specialize in that subfield as an undergrad, but you could major in anthropology or cultural anthropology. Evolutionary biology is studied in biology or biological anthropology. So, go for a general anthropology degree to study both areas that interest you.</p>

<p>Undergrad Comparative History + Economics or Anthropology majors—>Law School</p>

<p>Law is not available as a major in undergraduate studies. If you want to be a lawyer, you have a pre-law program with an adviser, but you still have to choose a certain major. Most students choose relevant subjects like political science or English. However, it seems like you’re not actually interested in being a lawyer. If you’re going for research, then choose political science instead, with a concentration on legal studies if it is available. </p>

<p>Anthropology should be your second pick. Sociology or political sociology is also a viable alternative to anthropology. </p>

<p>A major in economics usually requires a lot of time spent on math, which is not that compatible with the rest of your interests. Consider a minor instead.</p>

<p>Not sure what you meant by “Evolutionary biology”, but you might consider a branch of psychology that draws from neuroscience. “Biological psychology”, “cognitive science”, “neuropsychology” are some common names. Note that these are “decision sciences” - they focus on the individual. If you want to use evolutionary biology to explain social processes and organizational structure, that is usually part of sociology.</p>

<p>Finally, with so many interests, I don’t think you need to study history as a program. You’ll encounter a lot of history in any social science course. Read some books on history here and then and you’ll be as good as anyone.</p>

<p>Go for a general degree in one of the basic disciplines, such as economics or anthropology or sociology or public policy-- and then take lots of courses that interest you. I don’t see the value (for you) in trying to declare something more specific as a major.</p>

<p>I agree with starbright. Double majors are very restrictive and it sounds like you are interested in way more than two fields anyway. Find a single major that sounds appealing and then take other interesting courses outside of your major.</p>

<p>I am assuming you will be transfering into a UC?</p>

<p>I think you best options might be anthropology, it is the broadest of the social sciences, especially at large state universities that have the resources for many different professors. In anthropology, “evolutionary biology” falls under physical anthropology. History and economics fall under socio-cultural. Most schools make you pick a track, but some will let you “double concentrate” in both.</p>