Why Major or Minor in Anthropology?

Why Major in Anthropology?

Majoring in anthropology prepares students to think creatively across social and cultural boundaries – skills that are essential in today’s interconnected world. Many majors engage in original research, collaborate closely with faculty, and pursue fieldwork, internships, or independent projects in the U.S. and around the world. 

Majoring in anthropology usually includes bridge-building to other disciplines such as the fine arts, languages such as Spanish or Japanese, international and global studies, African and Black studies, economics, education, environmental studies, food studies, global health, linguistics, sociology, history, political science, biology and neuroscience.  

Why Minor in Anthropology?

Minoring in anthropology will help you bring anthropological methods into independent research, internships, or community projects.  An anthropology minor can also an excellent platform for applying new digital technologies to the many challenges facing our global society. 

For minors we offer two pathways:

                  •The Design Anthropology Minor combines ethnographic methods with creative problem-solving. Students take an introductory course, a methodology course and three electives.  In the methodology course, students work with a Middlebury faculty member to design research that serves their careers, community needs, or an advocacy movement.

                  •The Anthropology Minor includes any 100-level Anthropology course and four elective courses, one of which can be from Sociology.  This track offers maximum flexibility for students who want to engage anthropology with other fields of study.