Anthropology

"I had been looking for a society reduced to its simplest expression. The society of the Nambikwara had been reduced to the point at which I found nothing but human beings."
-Claude Lévi-Strauss

Why Anthropology?

Anthropology examines human adaptation, variation, and change. From a holistic perspective anthropologists study human adaptability in the past, present, and future by analyzing culture, society, language, and biology.

There are five main sub-disciplines in anthropology. Cultural anthropologists conduct participant-observation fieldwork in communities throughout the world. Archeologists investigate material cultural remains to better understand human behavior. Linguistic anthropologists examine how speech and language is used to communicate ideas about our environment and how language and speech changes over time and across geographical areas. Biological anthropologists research questions pertaining to human evolution, forensics, genetics, human growth and development, and demographics. Applied anthropology is conducted in all of these four sub-fields.

Today many anthropologists work in applied fields that use anthropological methods and theories to identify and solve contemporary social problems.

Anthropology at UAS

Students have many opportunities to learn about anthropology at UAS. There are a wide variety of classes that emphasize theories, methods, and ideas in the five sub-disciplines of anthropology. Students may also pursue a minor in Alaska Native Studies, with a combined focus upon northwest coast art, history, language, and literature.

Practical Experience

Anthropology is not limited to the classroom. In many courses you will be engaged in practical study, from archaeological fieldwork to interviewing elders. You will also have the opportunity to participate in archeological field schools, ethnographic studies, and internships.

Careers in Anthropology

Cultural anthropology

• Forest Service and National Park Service
• State Fish and Game
• Tribal organizations and ANCSA village and regional corporations
• Heritage tourism
• Museums
• Non-profit organizations working in health, social, and human services areas
• Teaching

Archeology

When major development work is proposed on federal lands an assessment of cultural resources (archeology) must be made as part of the Environmental Impact Statement. This provides a need for archeologists and/or "cultural resource managers."

• Forest Service
• National Park Service
• State Historic Preservation Office
• Tribal organizations
• Private contractors
• Museums

Biological Anthropology

• State law enforcement, forensic anthropology
• Health care services
• State agencies monitoring health issues

Linguistic anthropology

As bilingual programs develop in Alaska, this field may well employ many teachers and researchers.

• Preservation of Alaska Native languages
• Instruction of Alaska Native languages

Minors

Within the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, you pursue a minor field of study. Minors at UAS that combine well with an emphasis in anthropology are:

• Alaska Native Studies
• Biology
• Communications
• Spanish and French
• Women's and Gender Studies<

These programs build upon your emphasis in anthropology by enhancing an understanding of human diversity from additional perspectives.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS (2008-2009 CATALOG)

Minimum Credit Hours			18
Students may only count a maximum of six credits in one topic area. Courses taken as foundations may not be counted as electives.
Select two from the following (6 credits total):
ANTH	S200	Alaska Native Cultures	3
ANTH	S225	Artistic Expressions and Oral Narratives of Alaska Natives	3
ANTH	S475	Alaska Native Social Change	3
ART	S263	Northwest Coast Art History and Culture	3
Select from the following (12 credits total):
Language Skills
AKL	S101	Haida I	1
AKL	S102	Haida II	1
AKL	S103	Tlingit I	1
AKL	S104	Tlingit II	1
AKL	S105	Elementary Tlingit I	4
AKL	S106	Elementary Tlingit II	4
Humanities Skills
ART	S180/280/380/480	Northwest Coast Art: Selected Topics	1-3
ART	S181/281/381	Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Northwest Coast Design	1-3
ART	S183	Northwest Coast Harvesting and Preparation of Basketry Materials	.5
ART	S189	Northwest Coast Tool Making	2
ART	S263	Northwest Coast Art History and Culture	1-3
ART	S282/382/482	Beginning/Intermediate Northwest Coast Basketry	1-3
ART	S284	Beginning Northwest Coast Basketry Design	1
ART	S285/385/485	Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Northwest Coast Carving	1-3
ART	S286/386/486	Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Northwest Coast Woolen Weaving	1-3
ENGL	S365	Literature of Alaska: Native and Non-Native Perspectives	3
GEOG	S302	Geography of Alaska: People, Places, Potential	3
HIST	S115	Alaska, Land, and People	3
HIST	S341	History of Alaska	3
Social Science Skills
ANTH	S200	Alaska Native cultures	3
ANTH	S225	Artistic Expressions and oral Narratives of Alaska Natives	3
ANTH	S335	Native North Americans	3
ANTH	S342	Arctic Ethnology	3
ANTH	S354	Culture and Ecology	3
ANTH	S435	Northwest Coast Cultures	3
ANTH	S475	Alaska Native Social Change	3
SOC	S346	Alaskan Social Problems*	3
* Special topics courses that emphasize Alaska Native Perspectives may be approved for program.

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
Office of Admissions
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100
Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6100 (toll free)
Program Website: www.uas.alaska.edu/humanities/programs/minors.html
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu

UAS Anthropology Faculty