Anthropology

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human biology and cultures, both past and present. People who work in anthropology study:

• human evolution
• archaeology
• forensics
• language
• culture

In short, everything that humans do is part of anthropology. Anthropologists are careful observers of humans and their behavior, considering such challenging questions as:

• What does it mean to be human?
• What are universal facts of human life?
• Why do people behave in particular ways?
• How are human cultures different and yet similar to one another?
• How has the human species evolved over millions of years?
• How do individuals understand and operate in different cultural settings?

Anthropology is uniquely suited to provide you with critical reading and writing skills as well as an appreciation and awareness of cultural diversity. These qualities are widely sought by a variety of employers in both the public and private sector. Courses provide global information and thinking skills critical to such fields as international business and law, public health, human resources, teaching, advocacy and public service. There is a growing need for analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who can manage, evaluate, and interpret the large volume of data on human behavior. The global job market of the 21st century is seeing an increasing demand for anthropological training and requires the type of global, holistic knowledge an anthropological perspective brings. USI Anthropology graduates have also been successful at gaining admission into graduate programs.

Faculty