Cultural anthropology is one of four branches of anthropology, and becoming a cultural anthropologist usually entails taking courses tailored to the cultural anthropology branch. Cultural anthropology students may be required to complete a comprehensive study of a specific culture in order to earn a degree in this field. Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, the specifics of the course will vary.
Linguistic anthropology, biographical anthropology, and archeology are the other three branches of anthropology, all of which are concerned with the study of human behavior. When considering cultural anthropology as a major, it’s important to consider what kind of job you’d like to get after graduation. Choose a minor that will help you in your job search. If you want to be an administrator or work in the business world, for example, you can pursue a business minor. Research for public and private firms, museum-based jobs, and teaching positions are just a few of the other options available to a cultural anthropologist.
A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is typically a four-year program. Many colleges and universities require more than 30 credits for an anthropology major and another 15 credits for a minor in anthropology. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Language and Society, Anthropology of War and Peace, and similar courses are examples of cultural anthropology classes. Check with your college to see if there are any prerequisites for becoming a cultural anthropologist. A high school diploma or its equivalent may be required a school.
The majority of students obtain their degrees from colleges or universities, but a degree in cultural anthropology can be obtained in a variety of ways. You have the option of taking classes on campus, online, or a combination of both. Distance-learning classes are not available at all schools. Some students can take the required liberal arts classes at less expensive two-year colleges, but the credits from some of these schools do not transfer to other colleges or universities. To learn more, speak with the guidance counselor at your school.
To complete a graduate program, a school will frequently require students to be fluent in a foreign language and familiar with the culture of the country in question. If you want to pursue a doctorate or equivalent in cultural anthropology, you should consider taking language classes during your undergraduate years. A school counselor can assist you in making good class choices.
Cultural anthropologists study human behavior, including the behaviors of groups of people, and as businesses become more global, many of them are seeking their services. You might want to pursue a career as a cultural anthropologist, assisting businesses in better understanding the customs of their international customers and vendors.
Companies frequently hire cultural anthropologists with a bachelor’s degree, but many demand a master’s degree. You can properly plan your schooling studying several job descriptions and requirements.
Museums and research centers that study the changes that the global economy is causing in developing countries could be another source of employment. If you want to work as a cultural anthropologist who studies this type of data, you can contact museums and inquire about the educational requirements for researchers. Cultural anthropologists are occasionally hired national and regional governments.