Anthropology is the study of human beings and cultures throughout the world during the present and past. Said another way, 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 majors 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 the biological unity of our species. Students who major in the field are expected to take courses in the four subfields of anthropology. Students planning a professional career in anthropology generally specialize in one of the subfields: 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 peoples 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://anthropology.umn.edu/undergrad/requirements.html) offers several examples of course sequences designed to provide training in particular subfields. There are a variety of opportunities for graduates with degrees in anthropology. While some go on to graduate school in order to obtain a position in a university, most graduates find non-academic jobs in the private and public sectors. Private industry consulting, environmental firms, product development and marketing firms, as well as the nonprofit sector all employ anthropologists because of the unique observational and critical thinking skills they possess. Governmental agencies at the federal and state levels seek anthropologists for various positions. Biological anthropologists find employment as forensic scientists working for law enforcement. Archaeologists find jobs in cultural resource management (CRM) firms whose services are contracted by construction companies to ensure compliance with legislation pertaining to archaeological and historical preservation. An anthropology major is also excellent preparation for professional schools in medicine, public health, nursing, and law. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' data (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos315.htm) indicate that anthropologist and archaeologist jobs are growing at a faster rate (26 percent by 2018) than other social sciences. Based on the Wall Street Journal's interactive graphic (http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/NILF1111/#term=), the unemployment percentage for graduates with an anthropology major is also lower than many more popular majors, including psychology, architecture, sociology, and journalism. More importantly, an anthropology major 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 may earn a B.A. or a minor in anthropology, but not both. Beginning fall 2012, all incoming CLA freshman must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html