What is Anthropology?

Check out this UC major exploring cultures and civilizations to see if it’s for you

When you think of anthropology, your mind may wander to popular media depictions of the discipline presented in television shows and movies like “Bones,” “Star Trek,” “Indiana Jones” and “Midsommar.” While there may be some truth to these portrayals, these are highly fictionalized accounts of the field of anthropology.

If you’re interested in the subject, you may be asking yourself ‘what is anthropology, and what does an anthropologist actually do?’

A degree offered through UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, anthropology is an interdisciplinary major that investigates various aspects of the human condition and offers a range of career and post-graduate options.

Anthropologists have an unbounded view of human history and evolution. They study the diverse origins, evolutionary pathways, and contemporary lives of humans across the globe. As careful observers of humans in their everyday surroundings, anthropologists often conduct intensive fieldwork to understand the complex interplays between individuals and the world around them.

Anthropology offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees and provides students with a unique combination of analytical skills and experiential engagement with the complexities of global human diversity. 

Real-world experience

Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, UC director of undergraduate studies in anthropology.

Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, UC director of undergraduate studies in anthropology.

The undergraduate program offers an integrated approach to the discipline by requiring all students to take introductory courses in four major subfields: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology and archaeology.

This integrated approach allows students to think outside the box and question fundamental assumptions about our species and lives. Also, it is the only major in which students can explore genes, primates, ancient kingdoms, fashion and immigration—all in one semester!

“Our commitment to the human experience blends biological, historical, contemporary, cultural and linguistic dimensions in an undergraduate major,” says Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, director of undergraduate studies. “We offer a ton of methodological training at the undergraduate level. That is not typical of other programs in the country.”

Because anthropology is a hands-on discipline, students typically take on public archeology internships and conduct field research locally, nationally and internationally to develop their skills and techniques. Many students also participate in labs and faculty-led research. There are opportunities for students to pursue independent research projects, as well.

Notable classes

This program is extremely flexible. In addition to the four core classes, students may choose from a variety of electives across concentration areas, which highlights the program’s strength of blending different perspectives—allowing students to grapple with thorny issues.

For example, one anthropology student might focus on human genetics and health adaptation whereas another may be interested in connections between cultural differences and identity.

“My favorite class was Ethics of Human Biology with Dr. Heather Norton,” said third-year anthropology student Madhulika Singh. “This course goes deep into the past by exploring the societal implications of anthropology: how it created certain ideologies like racism.”

Other courses to note are: 

  • ANTH 2066 Anthropology of Global Problems
  • ANTH 2068 Religion in Culture
  • ANTH 2072 Anthropology of Media
  • ANTH 3023 Ohio Valley Prehistory
  • ANTH 4078 Beauty, Race & Gender in the Marketplace

Because anthropology is interdisciplinary, it pairs well with other majors, minors and certificates offered by the College of Arts and Sciences such as biology, environmental studies, geography, history, sociology, women’s, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) and more. For example, Singh picked up minors in history, mathematics, WGSS and a certificate in LGBTQ studies.

Career and graduate possibilities

Though pursuing a graduate degree in anthropology is an option, there is a wide range of career options available, as well. Graduates work in research, teaching/administration, government, non-governmental organizations, and many other private and public institutions. 

UC anthropology students bring unique skills and perspectives to the workforce thanks to their understanding of human behavior, cultural diversity, and critical thinking. Knowledge gained in the classroom can be applied to many different careers, making anthropology graduates versatile and valuable assets in today's workforce.

For example, graduates can leverage skills like consulting businesses and organizations dealing with diverse populations, conducting research and data interpretation, implementing cultural sensitivity training, addressing dynamic social issues that influence public policy and preserving heritage sites and cultural institutions.

Take it from an alum

UC anthropology alumna Nichelle Lyle

UC anthropology alumna Nichelle Lyle

Nichelle Lyle has done it all—from undergraduate and graduate research to a professional career in applied anthropology. Lyle first became interested in anthropology through coursework at a local technical and community college. After that, Lyle began searching for local programs that offered a bachelor’s degree in the field. Though initially interested in archeology, UC’s anthropology program offered an archeology track, which seemed like a good fit. 

“While in undergrad, I did an archeology field school for an entire summer,” Lyle says. "The data I gathered from that experience resulted in a publication that led me to present at the Society for American Archeology conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

Lyle remained at UC to complete dual master's programs in anthropology and business and marketing. This customization allowed Lyle to expand into the applied field of business anthropology, which uses ethnographic and survey methods to observe things like cultural barriers and language differences across various workplaces. 

“I think the most important thing any undergraduate can do is to work in a professional setting through an internship or co-op,” Lyle says. “I think back to all the different things I did in undergrad—I took advantage of all the experiences I could find. It helped me apply all the things I was learning.”

Featured image at top: Ancient carvings in stone.

Headshot of By Erinn Sweet

By Erinn Sweet

Graduate Assistant, A&S Department of Marketing and Communication

artscinews@ucmail.uc.edu

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