Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology | Humanities and Social Sciences | SIU

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Humans are an intriguing species known for their creativity, conflict, cultural transmission, and ritual creation. Despite our individual differences, we share a profound biological connection, with 98.7% of our DNA matching that of bonobos. Anthropology delves into these complexities, exploring the significance of our actions and traditions and fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

Anthropology is a social science — bridging the humanities with social, earth, biological and chemical sciences. It is a research-based discipline, but it is also a way of understanding the human condition itself. You’ll benefit from the in-the-field experience of your professors and teachers and you can get involved with on-going research. Or you might take a deep dive into a topic of your own. In Anthropology, the world is your classroom, and you will see humans through the lens of Anthropology that brings focus and clarity to human diversity.

Program Tracks

Archaeology.

• Archaeologists study past human societies. Archaeology lets you use the physical and material remains humans have left behind, often buried through time, to understand human culture as it has developed, and to reconstruct the lifeways of people who lived in the past. If you focus on archaeology, expect to learn the latest technology and methodology, and to understand “ground truth” — the kind you can only get from working at a dig. Check out our Archaeological Field School and the Center for Archaeological Investigation.

Biological Anthropology.

• Biological (or physical) anthropologists study human evolution and biosocial variation including the biological aspects of humans and our closest relatives, the non-human primates. Biological anthropology lets you explore how human anatomy and evolution shape our lives, through looking at primates (modern and extinct), fossil humans, forensic remains and skeletons from archaeological sites. Our biological anthropologists are important leaders at sites in Egypt and Thailand. If you choose this area of focus, you can study epidemiology, bioarchaeology, paleoanthropology, primate behavior, ecology and evolution, and human and primate osteology.

Sociocultural Anthropology.

• Sociocultural anthropologists study the many societies of humans today, in all their complex aspects. Sociocultural anthropology provides the tools to understand all aspects of human behavior from around the world to around the corner; it makes the familiar strange and the strange familiar. Our sociocultural anthropologists lead studies in Greece, Nigeria and right here in Southern Illinois. Special emphases in our program include power, and history, pop-culture, and food and culture.

Linguistics.

• Linguistic anthropologists study the relationship between language, culture, and society. They investigate how humans communicate, primarily through language and how people express themselves—including what these forms of communication and expression tell us about a people’s culture, history, politics, religious beliefs, biology and much more. If you are interested in focusing on linguistic anthropology, you could consider a minor in Linguistics at SIU.

Careers

If you want to become a professional anthropologist, you’ll probably need to continue your education past your bachelor’s degree.

The skill set you learn as an Anthropology major, though, applies to other career paths. You could find a career in business, for example. Your research and data analysis skills, as well as your understanding of human behavior, are good qualities for a career in marketing and market research. Governmental agencies hire anthropologists in planning, research, and managerial roles. Other career paths include law enforcement or other areas of the legal system, education and training, or community-based and not-for-profit organizations. We’ll help keep you on a career-minded track as you earn your degree!