Students then select an emphasis either in archaeology ? the study of past societies and cultures ? or cultural anthropology ? the study of contemporary cultures and societies.

The archaeology emphasis provides students with learning opportunities in classroom and lab settings as well as through fieldwork. In summer field schools students learn standard excavation methods and applied geoarchaeological and geophysical methods. The archaeology emphasis prepares students to further their education in graduate school or to embark on careers in cultural resource management or interpretation.

Students in the cultural anthropology emphasis develop a broad perspective on what it means to be human through courses dealing with diverse contemporary global issues. A Midwest ethnographic field school and East African cultural study tour offer real world learning experiences. Those interested in teaching at the college/university level go on to graduate school while others find employment in international and domestic businesses, NGOs, and human service agencies.