Anthropology Minor
Program description
Anthropology is the study of human beings and cultures throughout the world during the present and past. It is the study of who we are, and how we came to be that way. Anthropology is partly a natural science, partly a social science, and partly a humanistic study. Anthropology minors learn to compare and contrast the biological, social, and cultural similarities and differences of humans and their societies across the globe and develop a sophisticated understanding of both the cultural diversity and the biological unity of our species.
Students who minor in the field are expected to take a minimum of one 1xxx-level course, and four upper-level (3xxx or higher) courses that have a common focus. A common focus usually corresponds with one of the four sub-fields of anthropology: biological anthropology (the evolutionary history of human and nonhuman primates), archaeology (the study of prehistoric and historic societies through their material culture), sociocultural anthropology (the study of the behavior of recent people in settings that range from unindustrialized societies to modern urban centers), and linguistic anthropology (the comparative study of languages and communication). The Anthropology Department website (http://cla.umn.edu/anthropology/ba-anthropology) offers several examples of course sequences designed to provide training in particular sub-fields. A minor in anthropology provides many opportunities for graduates. It is seen as a useful degree within many businesses, for instance industry consulting, environmental consulting, product development, and marketing, as well as the nonprofit sector. Students with anthropology degrees are known to possess unique observational and critical thinking skills; and, perhaps more than with any other degree, they are aware of the role that culture plays in identity, relationships, and decision-making.
An anthropology minor is also excellent preparation for professional schools in medicine, public health, nursing, and law. In sum, an anthropology minor offers a holistic education that, regardless of the job attained after graduation, provides a perspective on humanity that inspires a lifetime of engagement with the issues of importance to our globalized society.
Students who minor in the field are expected to take a minimum of one 1xxx-level course, and four upper-level (3xxx or higher) courses that have a common focus. A common focus usually corresponds with one of the four sub-fields of anthropology: biological anthropology (the evolutionary history of human and nonhuman primates), archaeology (the study of prehistoric and historic societies through their material culture), sociocultural anthropology (the study of the behavior of recent people in settings that range from unindustrialized societies to modern urban centers), and linguistic anthropology (the comparative study of languages and communication). The Anthropology Department website (http://cla.umn.edu/anthropology/ba-anthropology) offers several examples of course sequences designed to provide training in particular sub-fields. A minor in anthropology provides many opportunities for graduates. It is seen as a useful degree within many businesses, for instance industry consulting, environmental consulting, product development, and marketing, as well as the nonprofit sector. Students with anthropology degrees are known to possess unique observational and critical thinking skills; and, perhaps more than with any other degree, they are aware of the role that culture plays in identity, relationships, and decision-making.
An anthropology minor is also excellent preparation for professional schools in medicine, public health, nursing, and law. In sum, an anthropology minor offers a holistic education that, regardless of the job attained after graduation, provides a perspective on humanity that inspires a lifetime of engagement with the issues of importance to our globalized society.