Major in Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology Concentration

Cultural anthropology is the study of human groups and cultural practices. Through immersive fieldwork, anthropologists examine patterns within and between groups and contribute to problem-solving efforts.    

The cultural anthropologists at CSU collaborate with communities and conduct research about many different arenas of social experience, including environmental sustainability, development, stratification, health and well-being, disasters and resilience, gender and sexuality, aesthetics, and recreation.  Faculty work in the U.S., Africa, Central America, South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean and bring their expertise into the classroom to guide students academically and professionally.
 
In this program, students learn how to read and write critically, and they develop specialized methods for collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Graduates are prepared for careers in government, non-governmental organizations, foundations, conservation, business, advertising, community development, education, and museum work. 

Our cultural anthropology faculty have expertise in the following areas:

• Applied anthropology

• Ethnographic research methods

• Religious practice and experience

• Gender and anthropology

• Anthropology and the arts

• Biocultural anthropology

• Economic anthropology

• Environmental anthropology

• Political economy and ecology

• Medical anthropology

• Psychological anthropology

• Cultural psychiatry

• Social network analysis

• Sports, outdoor recreation, and play
  

Careers in Cultural Anthropology

Graduates in cultural anthropology have the knowledge and the skills to approach and value cultural differences that are desirable and useful in a wide range of careers and fields. Cultural anthropology students are prepared to succeed at jobs in international development, public health and healthcare, government relations, conservation, non-profit leadership, and global business. Common career paths for individuals who earn a degree in biological anthropology include:

• Government professional

• NGO organizational lead

• Health researcher 

• Aid and humanitarian worker

• Community development officer 

• Non-profit manager 

• Human and land rights advocate

• Lead for environmental organization

• Human resources specialist 

• User experience researcher (design anthropology)

• Cross/Intercultural trainer

• Policy analyst 

• Urban planner 

• Market research analyst 

• Program planner 

• Cultural ambassador 

• Community advocate

• Cultural heritage officer
  

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will be able to:

1. Comprehend Human Diversity – Explain how culture, language, biology, and history shape human experiences across the world and through time.
2. Use Research Skills – Apply basic methods such as interviews, observation, and data analysis to study people and societies past and present.
3. Think Critically – Compare different perspectives and evaluate evidence before drawing conclusions.
4. Communicate Clearly – Express ideas about anthropological research findings in clear writing and presentations.
5. Connect Cultural Anthropology to Today’s World – Demonstrate how understanding different cultures and societies can address issues like inequality, globalization, health, and the environment, and how these insights can be applied to future careers.