Department of Anthropology university of pennsylvania



Undergraduate Program

What is anthropology?

Anthropology is broadly defined as the study of human diversity. As a discipline, it is comprised of four distinct subfields:

  • Cultural anthropology, concerned with existing societies;
  • Linguistic anthropology, dealing with variability in language and the role of language in culture;
  • Archaeology, studying past societies through material and written remains; and
  • Bio-physical anthropology, focusing on human evolution and the interaction between culture and human biological variability.
  • Medical anthropology and Global Health concerned with medicine and health at a more global scale, with less of a physical approach than Bio-physical anthropology.

Where can I get information on majoring/minoring in anthropology?

  • Most updated information is made available through this website.
  • Students should consult the Undergraduate Handbook, for a complete source of information for majoring/minoring in anthropology.