Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans and their works. The field is wide in scope, addressing itself both to the comparative study of world wide variations in culture and to the development of humankind from prehistoric to contemporary times. Anthropology at the University of Delaware encompasses three distinct but interconnected fields of study: social and cultural anthropology, physical or biological anthropology and archaeology. Social and cultural anthropologists undertake holistic comparative studies of communities throughout the world, studying their art forms, religions, social organization and political and economic institutions. Physical anthropology addresses itself to the evolutionary differentiation of primates, the emergence of hominid populations, primate behavior and processes of adaptation in modern populations. Archaeological work is directed toward recovering the physical remains of prehistoric and historic communities and retracing their many different forms of cultural development and adaptation.

Anthropology sharpens a student's understanding of how people differ from each other and how we all resemble each other in our common humanity. This training is valuable in careers that involve interaction with people from different cultures, museum work and jobs in international agencies. Job opportunities for bachelor of arts graduates are similar to those available to other liberal arts majors. A number of anthropology graduates continue their education in order to attain professional jobs in the field, while others go into education, medicine, business, social work and governmental agencies. Students may contact Dr. Karen Rosenberg, 135 Monroe Hall, or call 831-1851.

Sample Job Titles

Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles under section 055 for additional related careers.

Enhancing Employability

Some Employers of Anthropology Majors

* hospitals
* state/federal government    
* colleges/universities
* international agencies 
* zoological gardens          
* research laboratories  
* U.S. park service      
* business and industry       
* museums

Other Sources of Information

American Academy of Forensic Sciences
www.aafs.org/

American Anthropological Association
www.aaanet.org/

American Association of Museums
www.aam-us.org

America's Job Bank
www.ajb.dni.us

Anthropology Resources on the Internet
www.anthropologie.net

AnthroTECK Virtual Library
http://vlib.anthrotech.com/guides/

Federal Jobs Digest
www.jobsfed.com/

Opportunity Knocks (Jobs in Nonprofit Organizations)
www.opportunitynocs.org

Peace Corps
www.peacecorps.gov/indexf.cfm

Society for Applied Anthropology
www.sfaa.net

The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com

Resources for Finding Employment

• Job Hunter's Sourcebook (CSD 376)
• Career Opportunities in the Nonprofit Sector (CSD 414)
• The Complete Guide to Careers in Fund Raising (CSE 249)
• Great Jobs for Anthropology Majors (CSE 552)
• Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors (CSE 556)
• Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads (CSE 557)
• Top Careers for Liberal Arts Graduates (CSE 559)
• Liberal Arts Jobs (CSE 561)
• Opportunities in Social Science Careers (CSE 572)
• Careers for History Buffs & Others Who Learn From the Past (CSE 573)
• Opportunities in Museum Careers (CSE 577)
• Careers for Courageous People and Other Adventurous Types (CSE 592)
• Careers for Scholars & Other Deep Thinkers (CSE 645)
• Dictionary of Occupational Titles (GE 25 & GE 30)
• Peterson's Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (GS 20)
• 100 Jobs in Social Change (SSD 6)
• www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html CSC's Internet Resources

Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies for Contacting Employers, Grad School Information and where to get assistance is available in the CAREER RESOURCE CENTER located at 401 Academy Street.

Last updated: April 30, 2008 (CH)