Why study Anthropology?

Anthropology is from the Greek anthropos (human) + logia (study). It is the science that studies human variation from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day. To an anthropologist, diversity itself - seen in body shapes and sizes, blood types, different kinds of languages, customs, clothing, religion and ideas about the world - provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life.

Admission Requirements

Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. Be sure to submit a declaration of the minor using our online form.

In addition, you must meet with the program director so that the department is aware that you are pursuing the minor and can advise you appropriately. Do this early enough to avoid delay in obtaining your minor.

While each branch of anthropology carries its own special techniques and required skill sets, certain attributes common to all will help a student succeed:

  • open-mindedness and willingness to understand how other social and cultural systems work
  • intellectual curiosity about human similarities and differences
  • desire to find out how things actually are vs. how someone thinks they "should be"
  • analytic ability and, for some branches, some quantitative and statistical skills
  • verbal facility: ability to read carefully and write clearly and concisely
  • desire to cultivate a disciplined imagination

Departmental advising is a two-step process:

  1. As soon as possible after declaring anthropology, each student arranges to see the director of undergraduate studies. This "getting acquainted" meeting is designed to determine how far along each student is in terms of satisfying departmental requirements, and what their options are for finishing the program in a timely fashion.
  2. Students who work closely with a full-time faculty member in the department may want to designate that professor as their primary advisor after meeting initially with the director of undergraduate studies. If not, the director of undergraduate studies will continue to serve as the student's primary advisor.

In either case, the director of undergraduate studies is responsible for certifying to UC's College of Arts and Sciences that each student, after formally applying for graduation, has satisfied the requirements in anthropology.

Students in the UC College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

If you have declared the minor, then it will appear on your application for graduation. Apply for graduation as you normally would for your bachelor’s degree.

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

Jeffrey Millar
481 Braunstein Hall
PO BOX 210380
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0380
(513) 556-2772
millarjy@ucmail.uc.edu

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Program Code: 15MIN-ANTH-MIN