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Professor Victor Thompson works with undergraduate student Katelyn Leka as they work on the excavation of their site.

Anthropology - A.B.

About this Degree

Anthropology is the study of the origin, development, and behavior of humankind. Specifically, this study provides the unique basis for the four major anthropological fields of study: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, and most recently, Applied Anthropology. Regardless of which field of study is chosen, student’s gain solid anthropological knowledge of human cultural behavior and human-environment interaction. This broad understanding of culture behavior and human interaction provides for preparation for work in all sectors of the economy including business, government, education, and the nonprofit. These opportunities may include contract archaeology, jobs that involve working with other cultures, and employment requiring general skills of social science.

Ecological and environmental anthropology at the University of Georgia examines the past and present reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world. Our archaeological, biological and cultural anthropology investigations yield critical knowledge of diverse dimensions of the human experience that we then apply in socially relevant ways.

What you will learn

Here at UGA, students can either major or minor in anthropology. Those who major in anthropology receive a Bachelors of Arts degree. All students majoring in anthropology must take ANTH 1102 (Introduction to Anthropology) or ANTH 2120H (Honors Introduction to Anthropology) as a prerequisite to major courses. Under the semester system, the major in anthropology requires at least one course in each of the three main subfields (biological, cultural, archaeological) plus additional elective courses in anthropology.

Other Degrees/Programs Offered:

Double Dawg Program

Training in Anthropology provides students with critical, creative, and globally-based thinking skills that prepare them for a variety of careers in the 21st century. Our dual A.B./M.A. program combines the value of the anthropological approach of our A.B. program with specialized training in the M.A. program in Ecological and Environmental Anthropology. 

Additional information about the program can be found here

Department of Anthropology Head's Award

The Department of Anthropology Head’s Award recognizes an outstanding graduating senior for accomplishments in at least one of the following areas: classroom, research or service. A student is nominated for the award by a member of the faculty; a faculty member may nominate more than one student. The award is competitive and final selection is made by the departmental awards committee

Melissa Hauge's Field Study Award

The Department of Anthropology offers an annual award to anthropology students (graduate or undergraduate) for off-campus fieldwork. The Melissa Hague Field Study Award was established in 1999 to honor the memory of the late Melissa Hague, a student majoring in anthropology who, at the time of her death, was anticipating her first fieldwork. Her family hopes the Melissa Hague Field Study Award will help generations of UGA students reach their goals by directly supporting field research or supplementing existing field research funds.

Additional information on can be found here.

More Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards

Career opportunities are limited with only an A.B. Degree, but include opportunities in contract archaeology, jobs that involve working with other cultures, and employment requiring general skills of social science. Some recent graduates have applied their training in public service agencies such as the Peace Corps and Ameri Corps.

Possible Work Areas

Education/Outreach Administration/Management
Archaeology Ethnography/Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Evaluation/Assessment
Historic Preservation Health (international/public health)
Museum/Curation/Project Design Environment and Natural Resources
Community Development Business
Advocacy (human rights/social justice) Tourism/Heritage
Human/Social Services Healthcare Management/Services/Deliver
Computers/Software Development/Information Technology Management Consulting/Organizational Development/Training
Design (products and/or services) Social Impact Assessment
International Development/Affairs Market Research
Forensics Law/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement
Mass Communication Humanitarian Efforts
General Research Information:

A good way to bolster your resume and find out more about anthropology is to get involved in professors' research in the field or in their laboratories. Many professors are willing to have undergraduates volunteer or participate in work-study in their research, and some even hire undergraduate workers. The best thing to do is just ask! Each week the department will have talks and other scheduled activities that you are welcome to join. See flyers posted in Baldwin Hall for details.

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