dig, excavation done by Hamline anthropology majors

Anthropology Major

Bachelor of Arts

An anthropology degree like no other 

Discover the forces that shape societies, cultures, and the course of history. When you join Hamline's anthropology department, you join a multifaceted discipline that draws on historical, environmental, biological and social forces. You'll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to live, work and succeed in our culturally diverse and complex world.

Your classes will delve into all aspects of anthropology, from studying modern cultures and societies and reconstructing past civilizations through archeology to analyzing human behavior through an evolutionary lens and unpacking how people communicate, think, and socialize. 

Our faculty value and create opportunities for student-led learning projects and regularly collaborate with students in research initiatives, and Hamline's Twin Cities location offers a springboard into the variety of opportunities for comparative cultural studies in our backyard.

 

Professor Davies Shoveling Asphalt

Professor Davies tries his hand at shoveling asphalt in Hamline's Anthropology of Infrastructure course

Anthropology major (BA) and concentrations

Anthropology major (BA)

Choose from a wide variety of courses suited to your career interests, and develop skills that will serve you on whichever path you choose.

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Anthropology major (BA) - Anthropocene Studies Concentration

Study humans at the intersection of digital and material worlds. Learn functional theories, and gain knowledge and research methodologies for understanding humans at our present moment.

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Anthropology major (BA) - Applied Methodologies & Heritage Studies Concentration

Designed to prepare you for work in a variety of areas: museums, tourism, archaeology, forensic death investigation, heritage industry, and the nonprofit sector.

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Applied anthropology minor

Learn essential anthropological skills necessary to build strong connections with community members and how to connect the historical and cultural significance of artifacts with them.

Applied Anthropology Minor

Anthropology courses

Explore the many anthropology course offerings and discover what shapes humans and the societies we live in.

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Lauren Ness-Schrupp ‘27, anthropology and global studies
#3f3f40

Excavate the past to understand the present in Hamline’s anthropology program

Hamline’s anthropology program provides you with opportunities to excavate and examine artifacts from the past and find the connections that tie the past to our present.

Lauren Ness-Shrupp '27, a double major in anthropology and environmental studies, shares her experiences during our summer course, Archeology Field School.

Anthropology program details

Paid internships for anthropology majors

We make sure you leave Hamline with work experience in the field of anthropology on your resume. And the opportunities are boundless. Whether you want to explore a career in communications, museum curation, public policy, or more, we have paid internship opportunities for you.

Examples of past anthropology student internships include:

  • Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, victim assistance specialist intern
  • Maya Society of Minnesota, student assistant
  • Mayo Clinic, research intern
  • MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, investigations intern
  • Minnesota Historical Society, archeology collections management intern
  • Minnesota Office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, constituent outreach intern
  • Planned Parenthood of Minnesota Action Fund, campus organizer intern
  • Salter Mitchell Behavior Change and Communication, public relations and research assistant

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Explore career paths for anthropology majors

Our innovative courses and one-on-one mentoring by faculty will give you the tools to succeed in a variety of jobs, such as:

  • Administrative assistant
  • Archaeological field technician
  • Archeological technician
  • Fellowship coordinator
Ellie Perra, Hamline anthropology major

One of the wonderful things about anthropology is that you never feel like you are doing or studying the same thing. You’re always doing and learning something new in the pursuit of studying human beings. It’s so lovely and wonderful.

Ellie Perra ‘24, anthropology; of Andover, MN

H. Sapiens, Hamline's journal of undergraduate anthropology research
 

In fall 2022, Hamline University students launched the first issue of H. Sapiens, a journal of undergraduate research on anthropology and interdisciplinary subjects. H. Sapiens publishes original Hamline student research spanning the breadth of human experience, from Buddhist ideals of death to a New York City jazz festival seen through an anthropologist's lens.

Student editors review submissions, select papers, and publish the annual issue on H. Sapiens' WordPress site. Interested in submitting your research to H. Sapiens? You can reach the editors through the contact form on H. Sapiens' website.

H. Sapiens journal

Announcing the second issue of H. Sapiens

Hamline is excited to announce the upcoming publication of its second issue of H. Sapiens, which is expected sometime this summer.  

 

Eva Larson Hamline Student smilling to the picture

Hamline's classes and methods provide such an intimate learning experience. I personally think that hands-on experience is essential. Gaining skills in a lab or in the field, having those experiences working on projects and learning adaptability, flexibility, problem solving, critical thinking—it's invaluable.

Eva Larson '22, anthropology and criminology & criminal justice; bio-archaeology technician at Hamline Center for Anthropological Services
Read Eva's story

Anthropology news

David Davies
May 28, 2025

David Davies Examines People and Pests

Hamline anthropology professor David Davies doesn’t especially like bugs or rodents. But, they’re an active part of the human world and vital to understanding a key aspect of his research. Davies is now nearing the end of a year-long sabbatical which has given him time to do field research exploring the relationship between people and, as he likes to describe pests: “the creatures that really want to be around us.”

Anthropology in action

Anthropology, bird skeleton collected from Hamline dig
Anthropology, student excavating during Hamline dig
HUCAS staff working in Mower County
Anthropology, student with artifacts collected from Hamline dig
Hamline Archaeology on Display in Bush Library
City Asphalt Plant_Anthropology of Infrastructure
Students digging on a Hamline student organizations
Hamline Digital Anthropology Uses Minecraft
Hamline Anthropology Class Field Experience
Anthropology, artifacts and bones collected from Hamline dig
Hamline Anthropology Class at Science Museum of Minnesota

Take your next step today

Interested in anthropology? We’d love to send you information, including more on academics and student life at Hamline.

Contact information