Anthropology at EKU

Anthropology is the study of humankind from a broad viewpoint. Over time and through space, anthropology examines human biological and cultural diversity, and its interaction with the environment. The sub-fields of anthropology that investigate this vast human diversity in both the past and present, are archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. The anthropology program at EKU offers a student-centered, high-quality, undergraduate degree with exposure to all four sub-fields of anthropology.

The anthropology curriculum helps students understand individuals of different cultural and ethnic heritage, and themselves, in relation to both biological and cultural evolution. This perspective helps prepare students for careers in teaching, industry, government, law, museums, developmental agencies, public relations, social science research, journalism, administration, and social work.

The anthropology faculty is actively engaged in high quality teaching, service and scholarship in the individual's fields of expertise.

What Jobs Can Anthropologists Do?

Anthropologists do the archaeological surveys required by law before mining permits are granted, i.e., helping mitigate the impact of dam projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They help develop an AIDS prevention program by first seeking to understand the culture of intravenous drug users. Anthropologists have developed methods for increasing the acceptance of oral rehydration therapy to decrease deaths due to infant diarrhea in many Third World countries. Anthropologists have also designed the interior of gunnery stations on battleships and standardized clothing sizes. In short, any time problems concerned with human variation and change are encountered, anthropologists are called on to solve these problems.

Where Do Anthropologists Work?

Traditionally anthropologists have worked for colleges and universities, but this kind of employment now represents a small fraction of professional anthropologists. Today, anthropologists work for federal, state, and local governments, private business and industry. Zoos often hire primate curators with expertise in both wild and captive primate populations. Over half of new anthropologists work for employers such as environmental planning and consulting firms, the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior, and companies such as Xerox. Globalization has highlighted the need to interact with people from many different cultures both in overseas markets and in the United States. When such interaction occurs, the job opportunities for anthropologists increase.