College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Anthropology is the only major that combines studies in biology, the social sciences, humanities, and visual arts.
In anthropology you can take part in hands-on training and learning in topics such as health and medicine, social justice, cultural studies, primate behavior, human evolution, archaeology, filmmaking, prehistoric art and ancient health and disease.
Double majors are not required to take both GWAR courses. We are a good fit for majors such as Sociology, History, Humanities, Biology, Health Sciences, Ethnic Studies, Women's Studies, Sexuality Studies, Cinema, Journalism, and Museum Studies.
We have a faculty member in the Department who dedicates their time to career advising. We regularly sponsor career panels where you can meet anthropologists who have put their training to work in business, museums, health care, the tech industry, government and the non-profit sector.
We have two yearly student scholarships, the Kiana Dressendorfer Scholarship and the Jay Young Excellence in Anthropology award. Both of these opportunities support extracurricular training in anthropology and students have used the support to attend field schools and fund research projects.
We encourage you to join the Anthropology Students Association (ASA) who regularly sponsors student events. https://anthropology.sfsu.edu/content/anthropology-student-association.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy to follow semester by semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Anthropology
Fine Arts Building, Room 525
Phone: (415) 338-2046
Email: anthro@sfsu.edu
Website: https://anthropology.sfsu.edu/
Chair: Dr. Cynthia Wilczak
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
ANTH 100 – Introduction to Biological Anthropology |
3 |
Major Foundation Core GE: Area B2 |
Advisor Footnotes:
-
Students are encouraged to begin academic planning by meeting with one of their Undergraduate Coordinators in their first semester.
|
Major Elective Class(es) |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
ANTH 110 – Introduction to Archaeology |
3 |
Major Foundation Core |
|
ANTH 120 – Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology |
3 |
Major Foundation Core GE: Area D1 SF State Studies: SJ |
|
ANTH 130 – Introduction to Visual Anthropology |
3 |
Major Foundation Core GE: D1 |
Anthropology majors are great fits for jobs in many fields. Unlike most majors, which prepare grads for only one type of work, Anthropology will give you an extremely wide range of skills – from osteological analysis to research and writing. Your skill set will depend on your coursework and interests.
Cultural/Medical Anthropology
Policy advocate, community organizer, librarian, social worker, museum professional, translator/interpreter, program developer for nonprofit organizations, journalist, user experience or market researcher, educator, consultant.
Visual Anthropology
Documentary or commercial photographer, filmmaker, documentarian, museum professional, film and cultural expert, archivist, cultural advisor to television productions, teacher, artist.
Bioarchaeology and Archaeology
Museum curator and educator, forensic investigator, field archaeologist, skeletal or artifact analyst, laboratory technician, historic preservationist, archival researcher and manager, tourism officer, science writer, teacher.
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.