Undergraduate Program

Anthropology undergraduates are challenged to actively engage with contemporary research. They are given opportunities to develop research skills in the classroom, as apprentices to faculty and graduate students, and through original research projects, sometimes culminating in the honors thesis. Even large courses taught by anthropologists use techniques to allow discussion and debate. Many courses encourage students to explore the use of new media in classroom presentations and for final projects.

Anthropology undergraduates are asked to learn about the history of the discipline, and to become familiar with contemporary archaeology, biological anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. Students are required to gain competence in at least one method used by anthropological researchers.

Students may find themselves becoming immersed in one area of anthropology, taking most of their electives from faculty whose work is on contemporary society, past peoples, or human biology. These concentrations are not noted on transcripts or the diploma but can lead students to more specialized graduate work.

The Anthropology Undergraduate Association brings together anthropology majors and other interested students throughout the year for informative programs with faculty and other students, and for social events.

Prospective majors may want to browse the listings of recently offered courses, and read faculty research profiles to get a sense of the opportunities open to them. Incoming freshman should review the courses offered that satisfy the university's American Cultures and Reading and Composition requirements as potential ways to get a taste of anthropology before committing to the major. Also check the Freshman/Sophomore seminars offerings-- which guarantee you a small class with one of the outstanding faculty. Junior transfers might want to review the array of methods courses available.

Any undergraduate interested in anthropology should check out the events calendar for public lectures introducing the discipline, and look for research opportunities with anthropology faculty through the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program.


For inquiries related to the Undergraduate Program, please contact the Undergraduate Advisor, Frances Bright f.bright@berkeley.edu