Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human beings over time and space. It seeks to understand humans by exploring the differences and similarities between humans in terms of their cultures, societies and biology in all parts of the world and throughout their existence.

The Mission

The mission of the anthropology major within the Department of Sociology-Anthropology is twofold: (1) the promotion of cross-cultural and international understanding and (2) the advancement of knowledge about the human condition. These mission goals are met by way of teaching, research and service to the University, state, region and profession of anthropology.

Faculty

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Emergency Management at North Dakota State University has four faculty members in anthropology with varying research interests and areas of specialization. The anthropology faculty provides expertise in specialties such as archaeology, cultural heritage, ethnology, folklore, paleoenvironments, biological anthropology, religion, and visualization in anthropology. They also cover regional studies in Native North America, Europe/Russia, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa and American culture.

The research efforts of the anthropology faculty are constantly integrated with the teaching process to bring new information and approaches to the classroom. This integration makes the classroom experience of majors and graduate students vibrant and dynamic. Faculty research activities also can provide students with valuable pre-professional experience as research assistants.

Laboratories

A unique feature of the anthropology program at NDSU is the Archaeology Technologies Laboratory (ATL). The ATL is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software for visualization applications in anthropology. The lab is equipped with laser scanners used to create precise 3D digital models of artifacts and fossils, a cluster of computer workstations, an SGI Reality Center for immersive virtual reality modeling, sophisticated software for 3D graphics and database development.

The ATL technology suite is used for ongoing research projects in archaeology, physical anthropology, applied anthropology, museology and anthropology education. Students have opportunities to work in the ATL as part of their course work, or in some cases as paid research assistants.

Other active laboratories in which students can obtain training are the Archaeology Materials Lab and the Paeloanth Lab.

Field Schools

The department offers rare opportunities for field schools in archaeology, biological anthropology and cultural anthropology. Archaeological field schools have been carried out in North Dakota, the Samoan Islands of Polynesia, and a biological anthropology field school at Laetoli in northern Tanzania. Cultural field courses are also possible. In addition, field experiences abroad are offered periodically that allow students to earn credits for participating in shorter-term anthropological excursions overseas.

Preparation

Students in anthropology may enter the discipline with any of a wide variety of interests. Those interests are unified in a focus on human beings-past and present, in our own society or in societies vastly different. With the assistance of a faculty adviser, students are encouraged to develop a curriculum that provides a broad general education pivoting around a focus in anthropology.

Career Opportunities

As with other fields of study that can form the core of a solid liberal arts education, anthropology prepares students to meet many of life's challenges. An undergraduate degree in anthropology prepares students to think critically and analytically. It fosters an appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity and cross-cultural relations. Common areas of employment outside academia include corporate business and industry, advertising and public relations, policy research, social services, community development, government agencies, non-profit organizations and others. For more information on anthropology employment, go online to the American Anthropological Association at www.aaanet.org/careers.htm

The Curriculum

The course requirements in anthropology are designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the discipline as a whole. At the same time, students with an anthropology emphasis may concentrate in one of the four primary subdisciplines: ethnology (sociocultural anthropology), linguistics, archaeology or biological anthropology. Anthropology faculty advisers work very closely with majors on the specific plan of study that best suits student needs and interests.

Tri-College Opportunities

The Tri-College system-which includes NDSU, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College-provides students at NDSU with the opportunity to take courses offered by other anthropologists in the Fargo-Moorhead area. These potential offerings significantly supplement the range of courses available at NDSU and put students in contact with a broader array of faculty and students with similar interests.

Anthropology Club

The Anthropology Club is a student directed organization with sponsorship and advising provided by the anthropology faculty. The club provides a forum for learning more about anthropology and related careers, and for interacting with students with different interests, levels of experience and education in anthropology.

Anthropology Minor

The 18 credits requirement includes Anth. 111; Soc. 110; two of the following: Anth. 204, 205, 206, 208; and two additional anthropology courses from the 300 or 400 level offerings.

Contact Information

Dr. Daniel Klenow, Chair
Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Emergency Management
North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 402
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8925
Fax: (701) 231-1047
Email: Daniel.Klenow@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/socanth
         http://atl.ndsu.edu/

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

(6/07)