Anthropology is a scientific discipline that studies
humans and human behavior. The subject is divided
into five broad fields: physical and cultural
anthropology, linguistics and archaeology, and
applied anthropology. Physical anthropology is
concerned with hominid evolution and the biological
features of human populations. Cultural anthropology
deals with cross-cultural studies of learned behavior,
such as language, kinship, religion, economics,
technology, values and personality. Linguistics is the
study of the origin and evolution of languages and
how they reflect the behavioral patterns of people.
Archaeology is involved in the recovery of material
remains of past peoples with the objective of
reconstructing the past. Applied Anthropology
applies what we have learned from the other four
fields to promote change. As both a biological and
social science, anthropology seeks to understand and
describe humankind.
Program Emphasis
The anthropology program has been developed to
provide the student with a broad perspective of
human biological and cultural origins and change
which prepares the student for transfer to a four-year
institution. It also offers a limited course curriculum in
archaeology. A certificate of performance is available
for the student who has an interest in the recovery,
identification, and analysis of prehistoric and early
historic artifacts related to archaeological research
projects.
Career Options
Most careers related to anthropology require
education beyond the associate degree, however, an
understanding of broad anthropological and
archaeological concepts provides some preparation
for work in museums and local excavations. A partial
list of possible career options follows: archaeologist,
cultural anthropologist, ethnic relations specialist,
ethnologist, exhibit designer, expedition guide, film
ethnographer, health researcher, linguist, medical
anthropologist, museum curator, physical
anthropologist, primatologist, paleoanthropologist,
population analyst, public health analyst, social
gerontologist, transcultural nurse specialist, travel
consultant, urban planner, international business
consultant, international law development specialist,
environmentalist, conflict resolution, and peace
studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the program will be able to:
- Define Anthropology, identify and discuss its
various subfields including: Cultural
Anthropology, Physical Anthropology,
Comparative Linguistics, Archaeology, and
Applied Anthropology;
- Identify and discuss Anthropological methods of
inquiry;
- Identify, discuss, compare, contrast and critically
analyze the various theoretical orientations used
in the different subfields of Anthropology;
- Discuss and critically evaluate the
Anthropological Perspective including its global
emphasis and cross-cultural and comparative
approach to understanding the various ways in
which people organize themselves, meet their various needs, and have adapted to their
environments;
- Identify, describe and discuss different cultural
systems ranging from band societies to the state;
- Identify, critically evaluate, and discuss the
contributions Anthropology has made to
describing and understanding the human
condition including human physical and cultural
diversity;
- Identify and critically evaluate Anthropology's
contributions to other disciplines of study in the
Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences and the
Humanities.