North Dakota State University

Anthropology

The mission of the anthropology major and minor degrees is twofold: (1) the promotion of cross-cultural and international understanding and (2) the advancement of knowledge about the human condition. Across subdisciplines and geographical areas, we take a cultural approach to understanding human variation, past, present and future. Our mission goals are met by way of teaching, research and service to the university, state, region and profession of anthropology. 

The anthropology program has three faculty members with varying research interests and areas of specialization. The anthropology faculty provide expertise in gender, race, indigeneity, postcolonial studies, the African Diaspora, household and landscape archaeology, medical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and human rights across cultures. They employ GIS, ethnohistoric, and ethnographic methods. They cover regional studies in North America, the Caribbean, and South Asia. 

The research efforts of the anthropology faculty are constantly integrated with the teaching process to bring new information and approaches to the classroom. This integration makes the classroom experience of majors and graduate students vibrant and dynamic. Faculty research activities also can provide students with valuable pre-professional experience as research assistants. 

Students can pursue opportunities to work in the Archaeology Materials Lab as part of their course work, or in some cases, as paid research assistants. Materials from archaeological field studies are processed and analyzed in the lab. Students may also work with GIS data as part of Archaeological research projects. 

The department encourages students to pursue field school opportunities where they can gain hands-on experience in archaeology or cultural anthropology while also earning course credit. Faculty periodically offer archaeological field schools in North American and the Caribbean. In addition, faculty advise students on selecting other field experiences abroad and nationally. In recent years students have completed field experiences in Wisconsin, Jamaica, Ireland, Greece, Mexico, and Poland. Faculty work with students on internship opportunities as pre-professional experience and have placed students in internships with numerous businesses, heritage organizations, and museum institutions. 

As with other fields of study that form the core of a solid liberal arts education, anthropology prepares students for many life and career challenges. An undergraduate degree in anthropology prepares students to think critically and analytically. It fosters a deep appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity and cross-cultural relations. Common areas of employment include advertising and public relations, community development, contract archaeology, corporate business and industry, cultural resource management, government agencies, non-profit organizations, policy research, and social services. For more information on anthropology employment, refer to the North Dakota State University Anthropology website located at www.ndsu.edu/socanth/anthropology/careers_in_anthropology or visit the American Anthropological Association website at www.aaanet.org. 

The course requirements in anthropology are designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the discipline as a whole and training in research and analysis methods. The curriculum covers the multiple subdisciplines in anthropology. Anthropology faculty advisors work very closely with students on the specific plan of study that best suits their needs and interests. 

The Anthropology Club is a student-directed organization with sponsorship and advising provided by the anthropology faculty. The club provides a forum for learning more about anthropology and related careers, engaging in community service and for interacting with students with different interests, levels of experience and education in anthropology. 

The 37-credit major includes ANTH 111, SOC 110, two courses at the 200-Level; a theory course and a methods course; two of the following: ANTH 204, 205, 206; 18 credit hours of 300-400 level anthropology courses; and ANTH 489 Senior Capstone. 

The 18-credit minor includes ANTH 111; SOC 110; two of the following: ANTH 204, 205, 206; and two additional anthropology courses from the 300 or 400 level offerings.

Anthropology
North Dakota State University 
Dept 2350 PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Phone: (701) 231-8657
Email: ndsu.soc.anth@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/socanth/

or

Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230 PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Phone: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/

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