Anthropology Minor

What is Anthropology?

Anthropologist Laura Nader defines anthropology as “the study of humankind, otherwise known as Homo Sapiens, the wise primate. It is about our history, our prehistory before written records, our biology, our language, our distribution of peoples all over the planet, and the cultural and social aspects of our existence.”

From multiple perspectives and theoretical frameworks, Anthropology provides us with tools and knowledge to help us understand, respect, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our planet. Using a broad approach, anthropological studies range from the local to the global, from everyday life, to special events — all aspects that transform, influence and shape our experience as a species living in this planet. Anthropology, as a discipline, has porous boundaries, sharing interests and theoretical approaches with other disciplines. But something that characterizes Anthropology is its methodological focus on ethnographic fieldwork research. 

Required Courses for a Minor in Anthropology

• APG 101 – Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology
• APG 249 – Ethnographic Research Methods
• Four additional anthropology courses selected on the basis of the student’s interests and career plans after consultation with their faculty advisor.

For details on the requirements for the anthropology minor, as well as course listings and descriptions, please see the online undergraduate catalog.

Why study Anthropology at PC?

Anthropology at PC engages with questions of social justice, inequality, injustice, and discrimination. By using decolonial, anti-colonial, and anti-oppressive methodologies and pedagogies, our students learn to “see like an anthropologist.” Students will be challenged to see the world from different and contrasting points of view. As a minor, students in Anthropology will learn to read the world.

Because of Anthropology’s porous nature, Anthropology is an excellent companion to any major or field of study. With an emphasis on qualitative research methods, students will develop the skills necessary to conduct individual ethnographic fieldwork projects. The Anthropology minor is designed to complement and expand the general education that students receive at PC.