Majors and Minors Home
About the Major
The program serves those with an interest in global awareness, cultural diversity, human evolution and variation, the ancient past, and a holistic understanding of human behavior. Students explore archaeology as well as biological, cultural and linguistic anthropology.
Jobs in Anthropology
- Cultural resource manager
- Museum curator
- Forensic lab technician
- Zoo director
- Nonprofit or advocacy group administrator
Related Programs
Long Involved in Creek Culture, Tribe Member Turns to Anthropology
After graduating from high school in Atmore, Alabama, William Bailey went to work. He eventually spent 16 years in law enforcement, as a corrections officer and, later, as a police officer for his tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Then, at age 37, came an opportunity. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been involved in my culture and Creek traditions,鈥� Bailey said. A job came available at the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. But there was a not-so-bad catch. 鈥淭he stipulation was that I had to get a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology. And they would pay for my tuition.鈥�
The 天美影视传媒, an hour and 20 minutes away, had a highly rated anthropology program with close ties to the tribe. So Bailey chose USA. His first class was an archaeology field school out in the woods, taught by Dr. Erin Nelson. He loved it. In fact, he decided to focus his anthropology studies on archaeology.
Student and teacher learned from each other about the Creek tribe. 鈥淲hile she and I were carrying on conversations about historical Southeastern cultures and Creek cultures,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 was also talking to her about modern Creek culture, the way we live now.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e become really good friends with a lot of younger students just because of talking with them, coaching them along.鈥�
For a later archaeology field class, Nelson asked Bailey to be a teaching assistant. 鈥淚鈥檝e become really good friends with a lot of younger students just because of talking with them, coaching them along,鈥� he said.
Two years after Bailey enrolled, his teenage daughter joined him at South to study performing arts and business. 鈥淪he鈥檚 excited about it,鈥� he said. (He and his wife have two other children, an older son and a younger daughter.)
Her father鈥檚 happy experience at South certainly influenced his daughter鈥檚 choice. 鈥淚 really enjoy going to school there,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 enjoy school.鈥�
Did You Know?
- The Bioanthropology Lab has opportunities for students to work with a wide range of skeletal materials and casts.
- The Center for Archaeological Studies conducts projects across the Gulf Coast region. Students can become involved in field and lab research.
- The USA Archaeology Museum provides tours for thousands of people each year and offers a great internship opportunity for students.
Contact:
Dr. Philip Carr
Professor
Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
(251) 461-1948