How impractical is a major in anthropology?

What about sociocultural anthropology? major?

• Hello everyone, I'm currently taking a Physical Anthropology class I really enjoy it! I'm actually considering majoring in it. However, I think I'd like to concentrate in Sociocultural anthropology rather than Physical Anthropology (and of course Archaology seems fun) and was wondering what relevance sociocultural anthropology has in the modern world? If I continue to pursue anthropology, I think I'd like to pair the major with a minor in Peace & Conflict Studies. I guess I'm just asking for some affirmation and explantion of the Anthropological world post-college? There is more to it than research and experiements right? As far as ultimate career goes, I want to write fiction/poetry and make films. But I'd like to broaden my perspective rather than study my passions. Thanks everyone!!

• Answer:

  As a student of anthropology you are really on the right path from the very start. Few people have such a clear vision, no exaggeration please. Let me start from the last question, that is, with making films and writing poetry. I think so many students in the film making industry or aspiring to be one are taking anthropology to help them with cultural understanding. In fact there is a field in anthropology called visual anthropology. They have a well reputed peer review journal also called visual anthropology where they present original articles, commentary, discussions, film reviews, and book reviews on anthropological and ethnographic topics. Let me tell you how your focus on films, for instance, helps or anchor itself with peace and conflict studies. If you work on the conflict in Darfur in Sudan or anywhere else including the middle east with cultural anthropology degree under your belt I am sure you going to produce the most compelling documentary that may help us understand and appreciate what are not only causing the conflict but what sustains it and how it can be resolved. I am telling you that is the greatest missing aspect in multimillion, should I write, multibillion conflict resolution efforts. You can put your hand on a book by Avruch (no surprise an anthropologist), Culture & Conflict Resolution, to see what I am talking about. I am sure by now you have taken one or two things on the relevance of anthropology. Many work in development projects helping people with socioeconomic problems. It is only when we understand peoples culture that interventions become successful be it war on terror, the world bank development projects across the world or anything in between. Recently I read what somebody wrote about the current economic crisis and suggesting what other disciplines need to do other than the so called economic advisors. There are bunch of economic advisors. Although the presidents mother is anthropologist we do not have social science experts who advise the president in this difficult time. Here it is, "So yes, we can have economists with spreadsheets trying to figure out some of the "technical" aspects of our economy, but when it comes down to it we need to have committees made up of psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists trying to figure out how to improve folks' crazy spending behaviors." I think the combination of cultural anthropology, peace and conflict studies together with film making are, simply, ideal for an aspiring professional. I strongly disagree with the person who answered first and actually rained on your parade. Good luck.