Overview

Anthropology is the study of humanity throughout the world and throughout time. Students examine the physical and cultural aspects of humans, from how our faces are shaped to how we find food, build houses, raise children, and organize our societies. As a holistic approach to human understanding, anthropology is divided into four areas: cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and biological anthropology. The Bachelor of Arts degree gives students a good background in all aspects of human life and provides a multicultural understanding of the range of beliefs, hopes, and behaviors found among the world's people.


The TU Department of Anthropology offers programs geared toward
the study of cultural anthropology/ linguistics or archaeology/ physical anthropology. Click on either of these topics to receive more
information on the projects and programs that TU offers in either area.

         


Facilities

Harwell Hall houses four equipped archaeological laboratories with curation facilities for recovered artifacts. The department curates one of the nation's largest collections of Paleolithic artifacts from the Near East and several collections from the American Southern Plains. The labs are furnished with drafting, enlarging, and photographic equipment, microscopes linked to closed circuit televisions, and equipment for sediment analysis. An ethnohistorical archive also is available.


           

       
Curriculum and Unique Features

Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges has listed The University of Tulsa undergraduate anthropology program among the nation’s top 30. The department offers a broad curriculum and encourages students to become involved in the wide range of faculty research efforts underway around the world. Over the last few years, undergraduates have participated in projects in the Near East, Mexico, the American Southwest, and the American Midwest.

Four individual tracks are available for anthropology majors: international business, law and international affairs, social services, and general anthropology. Basic anthropology courses and the Tulsa Curriculum (the liberal arts and sciences foundation courses taken by all TU students) are required for all tracks. Students then choose 15 credit hours of electives according to their postgraduate plans.
Professional Opportunities:  Short Version

A degree in anthropology can lead to a career in a variety of fields including international business, law, international affairs, education, research, or museum work.

The international business track recognizes the influence of culture, geography, history, economy, law, and political science on business in the global market place. Graduates with this degree will be broadly educated, comfortable with cultural diversity, and trained in the basics of modern business. Students may choose to take courses in the College of Business Administration for a B.A. degree or pursue a M.B.A. degree by accumulating additional advanced course credit.

Students entering law school upon graduation usually are required to exhibit a breadth of knowledge as well as analytical ability. The track in law and international affairs provides this background; students with good academic records will be strong candidates for admission to the nation’s best law schools, as well as to graduate programs in international affairs. The international affairs track leads to careers in foreign analysis with government and private research organizations, with policy-oriented government agencies, and with international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Careers in social work and social services generally require a master of social work degree. The TU degree in anthropology/social services is excellent preparation for this.   Students supplement anthropology courses with classes in sociology, psychology, and business administration that prepare them for careers in social service agencies.

The general anthropology degree prepares students for graduate study in anthropology leading to college teaching, research, or museum work.

The University also offers a Certificate in Museum Studies, which students may obtain in addition to the anthropology degree.

See also:

Professional Opportunities:  Detailed Synthesis
Majors Available
  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology