Let’s get this straight: anthropology is not a top ten major. It’s probably something you’ve never even heard of before. I mean, social sciences are often treated like niche subjects and it’s taken a long time for us to even be recognized in the world of STEM. Anthropology is often confused with archaeology, the study of fossils. You wouldn’t believe the number of times my own family would get them mixed up. Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. Anthropology encompasses elements of sociology, biology and philosophy. Often, anthropology majors like myself also take classes about human evolution, primatology and psychology. But the term “anthropology” on its own seems kind of dense and separated from other areas of study.
Anthropology, as the study of humans, can offer really excellent opportunities for people in any major. I highly recommend biological anthropology to health majors, as it covers physiology and deconstructs colonized areas of health care and health ethics. Cultural anthropology offers insight into global cultures and gives you a wider sense of the world. Linguistic anthropology is excellent for those in international studies or business, as you can study the complexity and history of language and explore its cultural significance. The anthropology of sex and gender helps to deconstruct oppressive norms and open your mind. Archaeology and forensic science are great for criminal justice or history majors, as they demonstrate the importance of fossil records and real scientific processes behind your favorite crime shows. If you’re into zoology, take a course on primatology and discover humanity’s closest (and oldest) relatives. There are plenty of specialized courses taught at SLU, too, like “Global Mental Health” or “Climate Change and Environment.”
Anthropology doesn’t have to be your end goal, either. Personally, I think anthropology and information sciences go hand-in-hand, so grad school for library science is my number-one goal. Plenty of anthropology majors end up in the corporate realm, banking or real estate. Others may continue into education, research and fieldwork. Anthropology is really great for background and a sense of understanding the world better, so you don’t have to be a major like me to utilize it. Having a better sense of how humans and our societies work is so valuable in creating positive, diverse, and open-minded spaces. Decolonizing the study of anthropology as a whole is still work being done. It’s critical to learn about each other if we want to progress together. So, just to try something new, check out what your school offers in anthropology! You might love it; I know I do!