Anthropology

Anthropology is dedicated to understanding humankind’s diversity as well as what makes us uniquely human. The Anthropology program at UC Merced distinguishes itself by focusing research and teaching on a select group of common research themes relevant to our local, state, and global communities. The undergraduate major emphasizes how topics and issues central to the human experience such as migration, gender, power, health, kinship, race, and identity are examined and understood through diverse anthropological methodologies. In upper division courses, students explore particular socio-cultural, archaeological, and biological perspectives on such issues in greater depth, and these courses may specifically engage perspectives from two or more sub-fields.

Anthropology majors develop critical skills in thought, written and oral expression, and the application of knowledge, as well as a valuable understanding of human cultural diversity. In an increasingly globalized world in which interaction with people of diverse cultures is becoming the norm, developing a cross-cultural understanding about the complexities of human societies past and present is what makes Anthropology an ideal education for the 21st century.

Major Preparation

  • One UC-transferable introductory course in socio-cultural anthropology
  • One UC-transferable introductory course in archaeological
  • One UC transferable introductory course in  biological anthropology
  • One UC-transferable statistics course
For more information on lower division general education for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, visit our general education page.		  

More Information


Anthropology Home

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts


Email: ssha@ucmerced.edu

Careers in Anthropology

  • Business
  • Consulting
  • Education
  • Federal, State And Local Agencies
  • Medicine
  • Museums
  • Non-profit, public, and international service