Type of Degree

B.A.

School or College

College of Arts and Sciences

Area of Study

Arts, humanities, social sciences

Program Format

On-campus, Full-time

Program Overview

Studying anthropology can offer you valuable insights into different cultures, societies, and human behaviors. It helps you develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. Whether you're interested in history, archaeology, or sociology, anthropology provides a unique perspective on the world around us.

The Bachelor of Arts with major in Anthropology at UVM is flexible enough for you to pursue specialized interests in the discipline. In addition to a more generalized program, concentrations include archaeology and heritage management, as well as the anthropology of global health.

Double majors work really well with Anthropology. The subfields of our discipline share borders with many other humanities, social science, and natural science disciplines, and many of our students find that our theories and methods complement and enrich their studies in another discipline. 

Concentrations

Anthropology With a Concentration in Archaeology and Heritage Management

Students interested in the study of past human cultures, the preservation and interpretation of archaeological sites and the management of cultural resources will want to consider tailoring their anthropology major major to focus on archaeology and heritage management. We suggest courses that enable you to study major developments in human history, apply archaeological methods to the investigation of specific cultures and regions, and build professional skills surrounding the protection, preservation and interpretation of archaeological cultures, sites, and objects.

Anthropology With a Concentration in Global Health

If you are interested in human health and its variation within and across different populations, cultures, and societies, you'll want to consider tailoring your major or minor in anthropology with a focus on global health. We offer a variety of courses centered on biological and cultural anthropology and related to the body and health in varying cultural, social, and environmental settings. These courses are designed for students with an interest in biological anthropology, medical anthropology, diversity and health, and public and global health.

Curriculum

Requirements for a B.A. With Major in Anthropology

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the BA degree, students will be able to:

  • Provide an anthropological definition of culture and give examples of how culture shapes human life in diverse ways.
  • Distinguish the ways in which anthropologists examine and analyze human diversity across time and space.
  • Recognize how the four subfields of anthropology (cultural, linguistic, biological, archaeological) differ in focus, methodologies, and conceptual approaches.
  • Demonstrate how an anthropological approach can be applied to a range of complex social issues in diverse settings.
  • Recognize ethical dilemmas in anthropology and ethical principles in research and other practice.
  • Develop and communicate anthropological research questions, access and analyze scholarly literature, and outline appropriate research methods and approaches.

Careers in Anthropology

  • Anthropology
  • Cultural Resource Management
  • Education
  • Forensics
  • Health (international/public health)
  • International Development
  • Law, Criminal Justice
  • Research

Where Our Alumni Work

  • Cities and municipalities
  • Colleges and universities
  • Elementary and secondary schools
  • Law firms
  • Media production companies
  • Museums and libraries
  • Research Institutes

Where Alumni Attend Graduate School

  • Brandeis University
  • Boston University
  • University of Rhode Island
  • University of Sussex
  • Parson's School of Design (New School)
  • University of Maine
  • University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana
  • The University of Edinburgh
  • Bard College