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Anthropologist

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March 29, 2024 Updated April 11, 2025 17 minute read

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A Career as an Anthropologist: Understanding Humanity in a Complex World

Anthropology is the broad, fascinating study of what it means to be human. It delves into human behavior, biology, cultures, societies, and languages, both in the present day and throughout our history, including our ancient ancestors. Anthropologists compare societies across the globe and through time, examining everything from past governments and belief systems to modern family dynamics and the impact of global corporations.

Working as an anthropologist offers a unique lens through which to view the world. You might find yourself meticulously excavating ancient artifacts to piece together the story of a lost civilization, or conducting in-depth interviews within a bustling modern city to understand contemporary social issues. The field provides opportunities to bridge knowledge from the humanities and sciences, applying insights to diverse settings like businesses, schools, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Introduction to Anthropologists

Anthropology is a uniquely holistic discipline, aiming to understand the human experience in its entirety. It seeks to answer fundamental questions about our origins, our diversity, and the myriad ways we organize our lives, communicate, and make meaning.

Defining the Scope of Anthropology

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Salaries for Anthropologist

City
Median
New York
$136,000
San Francisco
$145,000
Seattle
$122,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$136,000
San Francisco
$145,000
Seattle
$122,000
Austin
$98,000
Toronto
$109,000
London
£59,000
Paris
€43,500
Berlin
€67,000
Tel Aviv
₪472,000
Singapore
S$120,000
Beijing
¥98,000
Shanghai
¥275,000
Shenzhen
¥100,000
Bengalaru
₹1,000,000
Delhi
₹256,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Anthropologist

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We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Anthropologist. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Featured in The Course Notes

This career is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read two articles that feature Anthropologist:

Reading list

We've selected some books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Anthropologist.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of evolutionary anthropology. It covers a wide range of topics, including human origins, human variation, and human adaptation. It is written in a clear and concise style, and is suitable for students of all levels.
This classic book provides a comprehensive overview of human evolution. It covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of life to the development of modern humans. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is suitable for readers of all levels.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of human evolutionary biology. It covers a wide range of topics, including genetics, anatomy, behavior, and ecology. It is written in a clear and concise style, and is suitable for students of all levels.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book argues that slavery was central to the development of American capitalism and that its legacy continues to shape the United States today.
This classic work by a leading scholar of slavery explores the concept of 'social death' and its implications for understanding the experiences of enslaved people.
Examines the impact of the digital age on our sense of identity. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the challenges and opportunities that we face as we navigate the increasingly complex world of online and offline interactions.
Provides an overview of the evidence for evolution, covering topics such as genetics, anatomy, and behavior. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is suitable for readers of all levels.
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of slavery in the United States, covering its history, social, political, and economic impact, and the experiences of enslaved people.
Explores the evolution of human behavior, from our origins as primates to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics, including aggression, cooperation, and altruism. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is suitable for readers of all levels.
Collection of essays that examines the relationship between culture and identity from a variety of perspectives. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this complex and fascinating topic.
Classic work of psychology that examines the concept of identity crisis. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the challenges and opportunities that people face as they develop their own sense of self.
Argues that we need to develop a new sense of global citizenship in order to address the challenges of the 21st century. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the importance of cultural identity in a globalized world.
This graphic novel adaptation of Sapiens provides a visually stunning overview of human history and evolution. It great way to learn about this topic in a fun and engaging way.
Explores the role of the United States in the development of the transatlantic slave trade and the ways in which slavery shaped American society.
Tells the story of human evolution, from our origins in Africa to the present day. It is beautifully illustrated and written in an accessible style, making it a great choice for anyone interested in learning more about our evolutionary history.
Tells the story of the human body, from its evolutionary origins to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, and disease. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is suitable for readers of all levels.
Examines the legal framework of slavery in the antebellum South and its impact on the lives of enslaved people.
Examines the history of slavery in the French Caribbean and its lasting impact on the region's society, culture, and identity.
Critique of American culture that argues that it has become increasingly narcissistic and self-absorbed. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the changing nature of cultural identity in the United States.
Explores the intellectual history of slavery in the Enlightenment and the ways in which Enlightenment思想家 grappled with the issue of slavery.
Provides a concise overview of the field of archaeology, covering its methods, theories, and major findings. It good starting point for students new to the discipline.
Collection of essays that explores the concept of the 'cultural turn' in the humanities and social sciences. It challenging but rewarding read for anyone who wants to understand the changing nature of cultural identity in the postmodern world.
Explores the relationship between food, body, and gender, drawing on insights from anthropology, sociology, and other social sciences. It good choice for students interested in learning more about the cultural significance of food and the body.
This reader provides a collection of essays on the anthropology of religion, covering topics such as the nature of religious experience, the role of religion in society, and the relationship between religion and other aspects of culture. It good choice for students interested in learning more about the anthropological study of religion.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the anthropology of kinship and marriage, covering topics such as the different types of kinship systems, the rules of marriage, and the role of kinship in social organization. It good choice for students interested in learning more about the anthropological study of kinship and marriage.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of human origins, covering topics such as the fossil record, the evolution of human behavior, and the development of early human societies. It good choice for students interested in learning more about the archaeological study of human origins.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the anthropology of tourism, covering topics such as the different types of tourism, the impact of tourism on local communities, and the role of tourism in cultural preservation. It good choice for students interested in learning more about the anthropological study of tourism.
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