Anthropology

Cottey's Anthropology Department is designed to introduce students to the four branches of anthropology (cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology) with an emphasis on the cultural branch. The course offered provides a foundation for students interested in anthropology careers and assists all students in developing an anthropological perspective which is beneficial in all fields of study. Additionally, anthropology can be combined with many other disciplines to create a more global or international approach.

Career Opportunities

Anthropology majors study the social and cultural behavior of people by investigating communities throughout the world and focusing on their languages, arts, religions, and architectures. Anthropology includes four broad fields.

Cultural anthropologists study internal workings of societies, both primitive and complex. They focus on culture as a whole or on just one aspect, such as religion, art, folklore, witchcraft, or symbolism.

Physical anthropologists study the adaptations, variability, and evolution of human beings and their living and fossil relatives. They observe biological behavior and attempt to understand ongoing human evolution.

Linguistic anthropologists study the role of language in various cultures. They analyze the underlying structures of languages and dialects, to understand the importance of the social contexts of language use, and to appreciate the complex relations between language, culture, and perception.

Archaeologists study material remains in order to reconstruct previous ways of life and understand culture change.

Anthropology majors find employment with government agencies, hospitals and medical schools, international agencies, historical societies, academic settings, research institutes, and marketing firms. An advanced degree is recommended for employment with this major.

Internship and Directed Study Opportunities

As an anthropology major, your chances to gain real world learning experiences through internships and directed studies are almost boundless.

Students at Cottey College participate in internships throughout the year with a variety of businesses, organizations, and non-profit agencies. A successful internship provides students with an opportunity to apply their classroom learning to the workplace.

Employers and graduate schools agree that students who have put classroom concepts and skills to work in a "real world" environment are more realistic and productive than those who have not.

With the assistance of faculty and the transfer and career planning coordinator, anthropology majors can find a variety of local and national internship experiences.

Opportunities exist locally to intern with the government agencies, a domestic violence shelter, the Vernon County Historical Society, museums, state and national parks, genealogical societies, and more.

Directed study opportunities are available in all disciplines. Under the supervision of faculty, students can pursue academic credit on a topic or project that is related to, but beyond the scope of regular course offerings.

Directed study topics can be tailored to your interests, whether it is conducting individual scientific research, studying girls' punk music, or conducting advanced computer programming.

Get Involved

Want to have fun and develop your leadership skills and your resume at the same time? Then get involved at Cottey College and in the Nevada community.

Cottey College has more than 35 student clubs and organizations in which to be involved. Plus, the Nevada and surrounding community offer an abundance of service opportunities.

Here are a few activities you might consider pursuing as an anthropology major: join Psi Beta (honorary society for anthropology, psychology, and sociology); assist with International Friendship Circle events; learn a foreign language; join BACCHUS; be a Cottey Big Sister; join Cottey's Diversity Corps; volunteer in the community; or join Cottey's chapter of Amnesty International.

4-Semester Sample Schedule

* Courses recommended for major

In choosing electives, students should aim for courses related to the interests they anticipate pursuing.

For example:

• Students with interests in physical anthropology are wise to take courses in biology to include anatomy and physiology.
• Students with interests in linguistic anthropology are wise to take courses in speech communications, English and foreign languages.

Faculty Advising

Preparing a class schedule, investigating majors, and researching transfer institutions can be confusing for a first year student. At Cottey College, academic advising assists the individual student in clarifying and achieving her educational goals.

Each student is assigned a full-time faculty member as an academic advisor. Together the advisor and student devise a balanced academic program, which encompasses the student's educational and career ambitions. The advisor reviews all registration decisions, the advisee's academic progress, and suggests transfer and career options.

This personalized approach to student advising allows the student to take responsibility for her own academic program, while tapping into faculty expertise.

For more information contact:
Enrollment Management
1000 West Austin
Nevada, MO 64772
1-888-5-COTTEY
enrollmgt@cottey.edu