Anthropology is the study of humans and what they think and do. Anthropology embraces a holistic perspective—the big picture—when examining human phenomena, seeking to understand human ideas and behavior as they are influenced by biological, ecological, economic, social, political, cultural, and religious factors and realities.

The Anthropology major has two areas of concentration—Medical Anthropology and Indigenous Anthropology—that interrelate and complement each other as well as articulate with regional community interests. After a core curriculum of anthropological and archeological concepts and methods, anthropology students work collaboratively with local communities and agencies, including farm workers, local Native American Bands, migrants and immigrants, local health service providers, state and county Departments of Health, indigenous Mexicans and Oaxaqueños, historical and archeological foundations, and other communities. Through an engaged and innovative curriculum that responds to state and regional needs, the anthropology program trains students in qualitative and quantitative research methods that include ethnography, participant observation, ethnographic film, social documentation, ethno medicine, ethno botany, survey, and applied archaeology.

Program Objectives

• Provide applied learning experiences for students through collaborative, community-based field research using medical, cultural, visual, and environmental anthropological methods.
• Engender holistic understanding of the complex social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental influences on the human experience.
• Contribute to raising awareness of issues surrounding indigenous and transnational communities in the region and cultural awareness in general.
• Engage in collaborative, community-based approaches to medical, cultural, and environmental issues.

Opportunities for Concentrated Study

Each student majoring in anthropology must also choose a concentration area in which to pursue more focused instruction around a key subfield of the discipline. While gaining a depth of understanding in a particular content area, students also further develop the key skills and knowledge encompassed by our general learning objectives. We currently offer five areas of concentrated study:

Archaeology

Biological Anthropology

Indigenous Anthropology

Medical Anthropology

Sociocultural Anthropology

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Anthropology major will be uniquely positioned to acquire professional employment in the areas of social services, health services, education, and public service because they will have been engaged in research projects involving these areas and collaborating with local agencies focused on the delivery of these services. Additionally, graduates who desire to continue post-baccalaureate study in anthropology will benefit from CSUSM’s established and cooperative links with anthropology graduate programs of regional institutions, including UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and San Diego State University.