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Anthropology (Minor)

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Ever wonder why humans do what they do — from TikTok trends to ancient rituals? Anthropology dives deep into that question by exploring culture, language, history, and biology to uncover what makes us human. It's the ultimate path for curious minds who love connecting the past, present, and future and want to make sense of the world around them.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Minor
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
Department
College
Program Contact
Professor of Anthropology
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Why minor in anthropology?

Commonwealth University keeps it flexible — no advanced theory or capstone required.

You’ll learn to apply anthropological theories and methods to explore humanity’s past, present, and future. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking and communication skills, preparing you for a wide range of careers or graduate study via three study areas:

  • Cultural anthropology explores how people live, think, and connect in societies around the world.
  • Biological anthropology dives into human evolution, genetics, and why we look (and act) the way we do.
  • Prehistoric archaeology uncovers the stories of ancient peoples through the objects they left behind.

You'll blend discovery and hands-on experience — think field archaeology, ethnographic research, and even independent study or internships that align with your interests. You’ll build a strong foundation in anthropology’s main branches, while getting the chance to ask your own big questions about humanity and find real answers through original research.

Whether you’re planning to go to grad school or use your anthropology background in DEI, social services, or other people-centered careers, the anthropology minor will prepare you for what’s next.

Courses and Curriculum

Anthropology focuses on what makes humans human, from culture and language to biology and evolution, so you learn to see how people live, think, and organize their societies in many different contexts.

Anthropology Minor Requirements

  • 18 credits required for minor completion
  • Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their individual progress toward completion of the minor.

Minor Requirements

Faculty specializations mean you’ll have the opportunity to take fascinating courses, including:

  • Anthropology and World Issues
  • Anthropology of Gender
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Religion and Magic
  • Ecological Sustainability and Humanity
  • Field Archaeology
  • Mesoamerican Archaeology
  • South American Archaeology
  • Indigenous Peoples of the United States
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Race and Human Variation
  • Neanderthals
  • Archaeological Theory and Practice
  • Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology

Course offerings subject to change.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Diversity: Identify the ways in which diverse worldviews operate and are experienced at individual, cultural, and global levels and how they interact with human behavior, biology, material culture, and the environment.
  2. Theory: Identify and describe anthropological theories and concepts relating to human biocultural evolution and the impact of historical forces in shaping approaches to understanding the human condition.
  3. Professional Ethics: Apply professional ethics to conduct research and knowledge in professional contexts.
  4. Research - Scientific Method: Critically evaluate anthropological hypotheses using scientific data.
  5. Communication: Demonstrate knowledge of anthropological ideas, ethics, applications, and research through written, visual, and verbal analyses to communicate effectively within the discipline and to the public.
  6. Responsible Decision-Making: Interpret data and apply appropriate analytical techniques to evaluate potential solutions to biological, cultural, and environmental issues to promote informed decision-making and action.
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Transferable Skills

As an anthropology minor, you’ll gain valuable experience designing surveys and interviews, conducting fieldwork, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Coursework will strengthen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while fostering cultural awareness, empathy, and the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives — traits that employers love.

Professional Preparation

Careers

Anthropology students are viewed as adaptable, “culturally savvy” graduates who can approach problems from a fresh vantage point, which is attractive in business, consulting, nonprofits, education, and international development. Labor statistics and department overviews note that job growth for anthropology-related roles is projected to be faster than average over the coming decade, reflecting demand for people who understand human behavior and social data.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Advertising, Marketing and Business Management
  • Cultural Resources Management and Archaeology
  • Forensic Anthropology (Crime Lab)
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Urban Planning
  • Museum Curator
  • Economic and Cultural Development
  • Social Work and Counseling
  • Environmental Conservation, Park Services, and Forestry
  • Epidemiologist
  • Journalist
  • Medical Anthropologist
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Policy Analyst
Ariana Ambrosio, anthropology student, standing outside at a historic location.

This experience gave me everything I needed to excel in archeology, not only at CU-Bloomsburg, but to get involved with the professional world. Not only did it give me enthusiasm for my future in archeology, it showed me what it’s going to take to pursue this career and where I can end up in the future.

Arianna Ambrosio
Anthropology
Anne Snyder, anthropology student, outdoors at a dig site.

Watching the gears in a child’s brain start to turn, as they ask question after question becoming more and more inquisitive, made me feel like I was making a difference in their life. Perhaps I’m sparking an interest in their future field of study. Maybe I was giving them an experience which will spur them to pursue a specific path. Either way, giving a child an experience they may not normally have access to was an honor.

Anne Snyder
Anthropology
Anne Snyder, anthropology student, outdoors at a dig site.
Ariana Ambrosio, anthropology student, standing outside at a historic location.

Anthropology Faculty

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Anthropology Minor Contacts