Anthropology Major & Minor

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Understand human diversity today and in the past, and learn how culture shapes human behavior.

Why Study Anthropology?

Do you have an interest in human diversity and want to learn more about what we all have in common?

Studying anthropology lets you experience the amazing expression of human culture. You’ll learn how to engage in other cultures through travel. You’ll study clothing, artwork, and tools. You’ll also discover how to seek clues to the lives of past people through archaeological excavation and remote sensing.

An anthropology major helps you understand what makes us human. This ability is critical in our interconnected and multicultural world. Studying anthropology is about transforming your understanding of other people and yourself.

Why Study Anthropology at Luther?

Through archaeological excavation and new geophysical tools, you will seek clues to the lives of the past people. You’ll study beliefs and cultural practices through class activities, travel, and anthropological collections. While learning different analytical perspectives, you’ll see yourself as a part of a complex social fabric and as a global citizen.

You will gain practical problem solving skills as you learn research methods and case studies that focus on solution-based approaches. You will be a part of a passionate community of student anthropologists, with the opportunity to join the Anthropology Club and the Lambda Alpha Honor Society. Our best students earn the R. Clark Mallam Award for their achievements.

Our graduates find success with skills that are crucial in many careers, in organizations such as government agencies, museums, nonprofits, and cultural resource management firms

Use Advanced Instrumentation

You will learn how to use cutting-edge geophysical survey instruments to conduct archaeological research.

Conduct Research with Faculty

You will have an opportunity to conduct collaborative research with faculty members.

Work with Collections

You will get hands-on training in collections management and exhibit development in the Anthropology Lab.

At Luther, I learned how fun trying new things can be. Even though it was scary to ride a horse, to take a plane by myself to a foreign country, to volunteer at an archaeological excavation, I came out of the experiences with new skills, new stories, new connections.

Ian Gonzalez ’24

anthropology and Nordic studies major

Read Ian's story

What You’ll Learn

Our four introductory level courses give an overview of the four main fields of anthropology:

Archaeology
Biological Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
Linguistic Anthropology

Anthropology Major

The research methods courses (qualitative or quantitative) give students the background necessary to critically evaluate existing anthropological research and conduct independent anthropological inquiry.

Electives provide in-depth exploration of a range of topics. Examples include:

medical anthropology
environmental anthropology
experimental archaeology

Our senior capstone course invites students to practice problem-solving skills and discern career pathways. Opportunities for independent study and directed research allow students to chart their own course within the major according to their academic interests. Our strength is experiential learning, whether in the classroom, in the field, while studying abroad, or in the Anthropology Lab.

Anthropology Minor

As an anthropology minor, you’ll take five courses, including Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology, one research methods course, an elective, and our senior capstone course. You’re encouraged to have a field experience through a regular course offering, an internship, or study abroad.

Curriculum

Geophysical Remote Sensing

Archaeological remote sensing allows archaeologists to study the remains of past cultures without physically contacting them. It can include aerial photography, satellite imagery, and a range of geophysical techniques. Luther is one of only a few institutions in the U.S. that offers this opportunity for undergraduates.

At Luther, you can get hands-on experience with archaeological remote sensing. Our students are have used this specialized technology to learn more about Decorah’s history.

Read the Story

two people are out in a field of grass, holding wires and an oblong metal device being swept over the ground

Careers and Outcomes

Luther’s anthropology program teaches you to use anthropological knowledge to address real-world problems. Our anthropology majors go on to find success in a diverse variety of careers. Many also continue their studies in graduate school.