Anthropology and Sociology Major
Examine societies, their people, and their cultures through a multicultural and service-oriented lens in Drake’s Anthropology and Sociology major.
College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus
Program Options
Critically engage with questions around power, knowledge, environment, gender, sexuality, race, economy, health and illness, and violence by considering a range of perspectives from various regions worldwide.
B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology
Gain a deep understanding of diverse cultural practices, experiences, systems of knowledge, and perspectives within the U.S. and across the globe. Think about where the self and society intersect and the roles they play in power dynamics, environmental changes, health care, violence, food, reproduction, new technologies, justice, inequality, social organizations, global issues, and cultural change.
Sociology Minor
Understanding human behavior is an invaluable skill, regardless of career. A Sociology minor enables you to make connections between personal experiences, social structures, culture, and history, providing insights you’ll draw on for years to come.
Anthropology Minor
Deepen your view of our globalized, multicultural world with an Anthropology minor. Inform your own approach to complex social issues and challenges as you examine these issues through personal to society-level lenses.
Arts and Sciences/Law 3+3 Program
Begin your career as a lawyer in just six years through Drake’s 3+3 program. If accepted into Drake Law School, you’ll begin your studies there during your fourth year—ultimately earning both a bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degree a year earlier than a traditional path.
Meet the Faculty
Each of our full-time faculty members offers perspectives on critical issues in society, including grief, social justice, race, gender, religion, and political violence.
Outside the Classroom
Anthropology is a field built around experience and observation—both of which are central to this major. You’ll have the chance to conduct original research, participate in community projects, and be an active part of the world we live in.
Research
You’ll work with faculty who encourage you to participate in their own original research or design your own projects. Drake students often present at regional and national conferences.
Global Citizenship
Anthropology and Sociology majors have aided local refugee and immigrant communities, worked in museums and non-profit organizations, engaged in short-term programs or semesters abroad in countries such as Spain and Thailand, have joined Peace Corps Volunteer Programs in Senegal, and have earned prestigious Fulbright scholarships.
Community-Engaged Learning
In recent years, Anthropology/Sociology students have explored the lived experiences of Muslim communities in Des Moines, curated an exhibition on the Drake Neighborhood, engaged with local African communities, and developed an online archive featuring narratives of cancer survivors.
Internships
Internships with organizations such as the Iowa Archeological Society, Creative Vision, The Harkin Center, Lutheran Social Services, and the Salvation Army allow you to use anthropology and sociology theories to serve and enrich local communities.
Publications and Honors
Your work will stand out: our students have published in the Drake University Social Science Journal, won national recognition from the American Sociological Association’s Honors Program, and received the Presidents’ Student Leadership Award for community engagement. Exceptional Anthropology and Sociology seniors can vie for the Global Anthropology Award.
Student Organizations
Anthropology/Sociology majors can participate in state, regional, and national academic associations, such as the American Anthropological Association (AAA). Qualified students can join Lambda Alpha, a national collegiate anthropology honors society.
Careers & Skills
The Anthropology and Sociology major offers sound preparation for work in international aid, non-profit, museums, cultural organizations, global and public health, social work, human services, and marketing research.
As an Anthropology and Sociology major, you’ll acquire a broader, more detailed view of society and culture. This perspective allows you to serve and collaborate with local and global communities through a reflective, interpretive, and empathetic approach.
Additionally, many of our students go on to graduate programs in anthropology, sociology, women’s studies, or multicultural studies to prepare for careers in research or academia.
Opportunities
- Public policy
- Social work
- Journalism
- Law
- Medicine
- Public health
- Human resources
- Museum curators
- Graduate or professional schools
- Cultural resource specialist
Skills
- Develop critical thinking skills to assess global problems and their impact
- Apply lessons to contemporary issues
- Explore how cultural systems inform global processes
- Learn to collect and analyze ethnographic data
- Become adept at cross-cultural communication and mediation
- Become a responsible global citizen
Salary & Growth Outlook
Median salary for anthropologists and archaeologists as of 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Take the Next Step
As an Anthropology and Sociology major at Drake, you’ll get to know our world through the eyes of others. Learn more today.
