Anthropology, the study of human evolution, development and diversity, includes social or cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology. Courses offered by the Department of Anthropology span the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and provide a broad understanding of human nature and society for students in all fields and for anthropology majors. For non-majors, anthropology courses offer a broad perspective on Western and non-Western cultures and can augment studies in many other fields, including second language study, history, international studies, art history, and planning, public policy and management. Our undergraduate major is designed to provide students with a foundation in the four anthropological subdisciplines: sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. The anthropology major is useful not only for those planning to go on to practice anthropology professionally, but also for careers in secondary education, social work, and other sciences or humanities.

High school students planning to major in anthropology should take two years of high school mathematics, preferably algebra, and some work in a modern foreign language. They should also have a sound background in English. Transfer students with two years of college work should have a year's work in social sciences, preferably anthropology. Introductory biology, introductory computer science, and the equivalent of two years of college instruction in a foreign language are recommended. 

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in anthropology can find employment in all pursuits normally open to other graduates in the various liberal arts or as teachers of social studies in secondary schools. Anthropology provides a suitable background for positions with a variety of federal, state, and local agencies and prepares the student for citizenship in a multicultural nation. 

Students seeking work as professional anthropologists should plan for advanced degrees in anthropology. Graduates with master's or Ph.D. degrees may find work in government, community colleges, or museums. For university teaching and research careers, a Ph.D. degree is necessary. 

Although the University of Oregon does not offer professional preparation for social studies teachers, an academic major in anthropology provides a strong subject-matter background for entry into a secondary teacher-education program. The College of Education offers a fifth-year program for middle-secondary teaching licensure in social studies. Students interested in a teaching career may obtain information about teacher education from the Office of Academic Advising and Student Services, 164 Oregon Hall.

Application for graduation with honors must be made through the student's departmental adviser no later than winter term of the senior year. Approval for graduation with honors is granted to a student who:

1. Maintains a 4.00 or higher grade point average (GPA) in anthropology and at least a 3.50 overall GPA or 

2. Maintains at least a 3.75 GPA in anthropology and at least a 3.50 overall GPA and submits an acceptable honors thesis written under the guidance of a departmental faculty member serving as thesis adviser