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PCC anthropology students at Newgrange in Ireland in 2018
Why choose Anthropology at PCC?
No matter what your major or career interests are, taking a class in anthropology at PCC will help you:
- Increase your level of cultural literacy and awareness
- Gain a fuller understanding of human behavior from a cross-cultural perspective
- Examine issues related to social justice, culture change, and globalization
- Evaluate the impact of humans and their activities on the environment
- Analyze information accurately about historic and prehistoric societies
- Apply anthropological concepts and ideas to your daily life
- Enhance current work, family, and personal relationships
- Fulfill general education requirements in social science and critical thinking
- Major in anthropology or transfer with your associate’s degree to a four-year college
Degrees and certificates
PCC offers classes in this program but not a degree. These classes can be used as electives and as part of the following university transfer plans:
| Award | Length (attending full-time) | Financial aid eligible | Currently accepting students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer | 2 years | ||
| Associate of General Studies | 2 years | ||
| Associate of Science | 2 years |
Locations
Cascade
Rock Creek
SylvaniaWhat will you learn?
Class information
Anthropology spotlight
Dr. Kerry Pataki has been selected for Marquis Who’s Who in America in 2024-25. This award recognizes Kerry’s lifetime achievements in anthropology as a researcher, student mentor and college professor.
Dr. Kerry Pataki (PCC, Burke Museum of History & Culture, UW) will chair and present a paper on “Local Participation and Engagement: A Research Project in Papua New Guinea” with David J. Cole at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Applied Anthropology March 2025.
Dr. Rebecka Daye has been invited to be a speaker at the World Conference on Food Science & Technology held on August 21–23, 2023, in Rome, Italy.
Anthropology is a holistic comparative and practical discipline. Anthropologists often engage in cross-cultural research and seek to understand the history of human behavior, culture, and biological diversity from many different theoretical perspectives. In anthropology classes, you will explore a variety of topics, including:
- human evolution adaptation and primate studies
- cross-cultural perspectives on art, language, beliefs, identity, gender, family, politics, technology, and environmental or economic systems
- culture change social justice and indigenous rights
- archaeological investigations of past societies
Anthropology sub-fields
Historically, anthropologists in the United States gain a broad background in all four sub-fields of anthropology at the undergraduate level and specialize in one of them at the graduate level. You can take classes in all four sub-fields at PCC:
- Archaeology: Archaeologists study the cultural remains of societies to gain greater insight into past cultures and ways of living. Learn more about archaeology and consider participating in Oregon Archaeology Society events.
- Biological anthropology: Many biological anthropologists focus on the study of human evolution. Learn more about biological anthropology.
- Cultural anthropology: Cultural anthropology, also called ethnology, focuses on the study of contemporary cultures. Learn more about cultural anthropology.
- Linguistic anthropology: Linguistic anthropology focuses on the origin and function of language, as well as transformations in languages over time. Learn more about linguistic anthropology.
These courses will help prepare you to pursue a variety of careers or transfer to a four-year college or university.
What will you do?
It’s a great time to become an anthropologist. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of anthropologists and archaeologists is expected to grow 4.5% by 2026, In addition to working in education and research, many anthropologists are also employed by corporations, the government, or nonprofit organizations. Learn more about careers in anthropology.
Transferring to a 4-year college or university
PCC doesn’t offer a degree in this subject, but you can take classes that will transfer to a four-year school.
If you want to major in anthropology, make a plan with your adviser to transfer and continue your studies at another college or university. Since transfer requirements vary from college to college, make sure that you check what these requirements are at the college or university you plan to attend. Consult an admissions counselor at the college or university you plan to transfer to for more information about this process. For students considering majoring in anthropology and transferring to PSU, the following video provides more information about courses you should take at PCC.
Anthropology students are also encouraged to apply for summer residential programs to gain more academic knowledge and skills. ? Read more about PCC alum Neamhain Virtue’s recent experience participating in a summer program at John Hopkins University.
Next steps
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Related programs
PCC offers more than 90 programs.