Anthropology

Location: Candelaria 2200	Telephone: 970.351.2021
Faculty: Robert Brunswig, Ph.D.; Barbara L. Hawthorne, Ph.D..;Sally McBeth, Ph.D.; Fredric Sellet, Ph.D.;Joan C. Trautman, M.A.; James A. Wanner, Ph.D.

Anthropology is the study of humans at all times and in all places. It focuses on our evolutionary history through the study of our biological past and the archaeological record. Equally, anthropology focuses on human culture in all its variety. It offers a holistic perspective on the human condition that is valuable in many professions.

The discipline of anthropology is subdivided into cultural/social anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology and anthropological linguistics. Cultural/social anthropology, archaeology and physical anthropology are stressed at UNC.

Laboratories in physical anthropology, archaeology, ethnology and media are utilized in the instructional program. Ethnology and archaeology courses include all areas of the world, but focus on peoples of the New World. Social processes such as culture change, acquiring culture, ethnicity, urban anthropology, the biological basis for culture and society and current problems are stressed.

Students in Anthropology will gain the following skills in the specific subfields:

•	Cultural Anthropology — Cultural awareness, participant observation, interviewing, listening, and ethnographic description, interpretation, and comparison in the development of ethnographic assessments.

•	Physical Anthropology — Techniques of paleoanthropology, microevolutionary analysis, forensic anthropology, and statistical methods in applied settings.

•	Archaeology — Field and laboratory techniques, interpreting site and survey data, report writing, interdisciplinary approaches, integration of subfields in cultural resource management and heritage preservation.

•	Multicultural Studies — Multicultural awareness, critical thinking, empathy for others, ability to conceive and apply alternative interpretations to the contemporary problems of culturally diverse societies.

Anthropology B.A.

Anthropology is devoted to understanding what it means to be human. This knowledge is valuable, not only for itself, but also for how it can be applied to a variety of professional settings. This major focuses on the power of the integrated, multidisciplinary, nature of anthropological theory and methods to analyze and interpret human cultural and biological variation in an historic, prehistoric and global context.

Anthropology courses provide a blend of content and inquiry based instruction. The Anthropology program emphasizes both theory and method. Students learn a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing anthropological problems.

Anthropology majors often pursue graduate study and academic careers. They also follow careers in both the public and private sectors. Anthropology majors work in every area of society, including government planning agencies, public health, education, journalism, social services, rural development, urban planning, migration and immigrant adjustment, public archaeology, public policy evaluation, major corporations, international development agencies, public and private research institutions and a variety of advocacy and public interest groups.

Because of its interdisciplinary focus, an anthropology major is particularly suited to the needs of students seeking elementary and middle school teacher licensure.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Anthropology B.A.

Anthropology Minor

Anthropology: Multicultural Anthropology