Department of Anthropology

Penn State University

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Majors and
Minor in
Anthropology

Majors

The ANTH major focuses on the biological and cultural variations of human populations through archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology.  In addition to class work, students can receive practical training in laboratory and field work. Students interested in pursuing careers in academic anthropology or museum work find that our BA program is an excellent primer in current anthropological theory and methodology, and thus valuable preparation for graduate training in anthropology. 

The BANTH major provides the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in research methods, quantification, and laboratory science. It prepares students with the skills and competencies needed to pursue graduate study or careers in professions associated with biological anthropology. These include human DNA research, osteology, and some forensics, but the degree does not include all prerequisites for admission to medical school. Students looking forward to careers in health fields often major in Biological Anthropology, which is offered as a BS degree. 

The ARSCI major provides the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in research methods, quantification, field methods, and laboratory science. It prepares students with the skills and competencies needed to pursue careers in Cultural Resource Management. Students contemplating futures in nonacademic archaeology should consider this degree, or some of its recommended courses.

All majors are assigned advisors in the department. This includes students having more than one major. All majors are encouraged to take full advantage of their academic advisors, whose duties include assisting majors with course selection, career planning, and the bureaucratic complexities of a large institution.

The Department of Anthropology encourages undergraduates to participate in research in the fields of archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology.  Students can either volunteer to work on projects or receive course credit for their participation.  This is an excellent way for students to gain "hands-on" experience in anthropological research and to apply concepts learned in the classroom.

Students should contact either the undergraduate program staff assistant or individual faculty members for opportunities to participate in ongoing research. Projects are worked out between students and faculty members.  Students receiving course credit typically enroll in ANTH 494.

Students interested in pursuing careers in academic anthropology or museum work find that our BA program is an excellent primer in current anthropological theory and methodology, and thus valuable preparation for graduate training in anthropology. 

Concurrent Majors

The Anthropology majors are flexible programs that can be combined as concurrent majors with many other fields of study. Concurrent majors can be an attractive option for students, especially in today's multicultural workplace. Anthropology students learn many skills such as communication and writing skills, observational skills, experimental design, interviewing experiences, statistical methods, and cross-cultural awareness. The concurrent major program is for students who want to combine two or more majors. Students must satisfy the basic requirements for the colleges and majors involved. Interested students should contact the Liberal Arts Academic Student Services Center in 138 Sparks Building.

Questions regarding the Undergraduate Anthropology Program can be directed to the Undergraduate Advisor, Beth Brown.

Anthropology MINOR

Requirements: Students must take a total of 18 credits including:

  • prescribed courses (9 credits) ANTH 002 , ANTH 021, and ANTH045; plus
  • an additional 9 credits (minimum of 6 credits at the 400 Level and an additional 3 credits from any ANTH course except ANTH 001).

Other related Minors

The undergraduate minor in Sexuality and Gender Studies addresses human sexuality and gender as they have been conceptualized and investigated by diverse disciplines: humanities (including history and cultural studies), behavioral and social sciences, biological sciences, and visual and performance arts. Courses in the minor require students to explore scholarship and research on sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender across the lifespan, across cultures, and throughout history. Developing students' critical skills in a variety of disciplines, courses in the minor cover theories of sexuality and gender; sexual orientation; lexbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movements; the history of sexual norms; queer theory; gender identity; and impact of gender identities and erotic orientations on the arts; etc.

Requirements for the Sexuality and Gender Studies Minor

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