Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present, in all their complexity spanning human history. To understand this diversity, an anthropology degree draws and builds on knowledge from the social sciences, humanities and biological sciences, making anthropology the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities. A central concern of anthropologists is the application of knowledge to solve human problems.

Anthropology at Furman introduces students to societies and social groups – some familiar, some different – and encourages thoughtful reflection on our own place in the world. Anthropology sharpens verbal, written and presentation skills to help you critically assess current assumptions about the world and imagine options for the future. The anthropology major helps students develop three broadly transferable skill areas: understanding human diversity, building research skills for collecting and making sense of information, and communicating effectively.

By design, class sizes at Furman are small – giving space for meaningful connection and engagement in the classroom and beyond. Furman’s anthropology faculty specialize in wide-ranging regions and subjects, so when you declare a major, you’ll be able to match your interest with the best possible advisor. Whether your interest lies in gender, race, popular culture, archaeology, religion or sustainability, or regions such as Africa, Central America, Japan or India, your Furman career holds a multitude of opportunities to enrich your understanding of human diversity. Plan a visit to Furman’s beautiful campus or begin your application .