Once you’ve developed your fundamental skills, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on the subjects that interest you most by specializing in one of the following five areas:

Archaeological Anthropology: Uncovering and interpreting humanity’s history and evolution by unearthing and analyzing historical remains.

Cultural Anthropology: Investigating ways humans organize themselves, what constitutes meaning and value, and how material and intellectual resources are allocated.

Linguistic Anthropology: Examining the history, evolution, and internal structure of human languages, and considering the relationship between language and culture.

Physical Anthropology: Tracing the biological origins, evolution and genetic variation of humankind; studying the fossil record and current-day remains of humans (forensic anthropology); and surveying the diversity and adaptations of non-human primates (primatology).

Applied Anthropology: Incorporating skills from anthropological disciplines to solve practical problems in fields such as development, healthcare, medical anthropology, education, business and advertising.

Alumni Updates

Jennifer Humphreys, 2011

I am currently earning my M.S. in Primate Behavior at Central Washington University, specializing in molecular primatology.  Soon I will be heading to the forests Suriname to study gene flow through conservation corridors.

Wesley Korpela, 2011

pursing careering in maritime archaeology

Lizbet Husby-Gerry, 2007

Living and working in Oregon.

Christopher Robertson, 2009

I just accepted an offer of admission into U.C. Berkeley’s Asian Studies MA program, and will be focusing on China Studies during the fall of 2011. During the two-year program, I am hoping to take an extra year to study Chinese abroad in both China and Taiwan.

Kate Catanese, 2010

After graduating, I worked for six months as a research assistant on a project through Tulane University concerning the reproductive strategies of male capuchin monkeys. Although it was an amazing and life-changing experience, I came out of it knowing that I would much rather work with people than primates, and am currently seeking admission to HSU’s elementary education program.

Jessica Peters, 2010

I have been accepted to UCLA’s Anthropology PhD program, with full funding for four years, and will be studying under the guidance of renowned Anthropology professor Sherry Ortner starting in Fall 2011.

Greg Collins, 1998

After graduating in December 1998 from HSU with my BA in Anthropology and Geography (double major) I began working as a shovel bum for archaeological consulting firms and the U.S. Forest Service.  After traveling around California as an archaeological technician for a few years, I started graduate school at CSU, Chico and completed my thesis with an emphasis on CRM and zooarchaeology.  I am currently the North Coast Redwoods District Archaeologist and am stationed in Eureka.  My academic and professional career has taken me full circle, and I am now raising my family in Humboldt County.

Scott Schindel, 2009

Volunteering on a Howler monkey project in Southern Mexico.

Traben Pleasant, 2009

I am currently pursuing a MSc. in Social/Cultural Anthropology at University College London, UK.

Ariel Marie Gruenthal, 2008

After graduating from the University of Central Lancashire, UK in 2009 with a MSc in Forensic Anthropology, I have taken a job with the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office as a Deputy Coroner.

Evan Pinto, 1995

I have been working as a secondary teacher for a virtual high school. I also teach vocational education classes (in a bricks and mortar class). In addition, my wife, two children and I just adopted a two year old Golden Retriever!