Anthropology addresses both biological and cultural aspects of humans, from the origins of genetic diversity, to the organization of social groups and the human significance of language. This breadth makes Anthropology an ideal liberal arts major. As an Anthropology major, you will study in the various subfields of anthropology‚ archaeological, biological, linguistic, and sociocultural‚ and will develop a broad range of skills.Related fields include Linguistics, Biology, Psychology, Archaeology, Museum Studies, Organizational Studies, Public Health, and Sociology.
Anthropology student Sara Borsodi interviews content creator and senior CRM archaeologist Natasha Bilson.
Natasha received her bachelors degree in archaeology from Bournemouth University, UK. Since graduating Natasha has worked on multiple sites throughout London as a contract archaeologist all the while running her social media platforms @behindthetrowel. Natasha's passion for outreach and demystifying what it is like to work "behind the trowel" has lead to several series which you can view on YouTube, including "Archaeologists in Quarantine." Natasha is also a co-host of the new TV show, The Great British Dig: History in your back garden.
Anthropology student Eloise Jansen interviews Dr. Brittany Brown who is a terrestrial and underwater archaeologist.
Dr. Brown is an assistant professor at Bard College. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and has a PhD in Anthropology from The College of William and Mary. She is an American historical archaeologist and her regional areas of specialization include the African American Southeast and the British Caribbean. Her current research interests include post-emancipation era mortuary practices among African Americans in Jacksonville, Florida and maritime archaeology.
Anthropology student Eloise Jansen interviews UM Anthropology alumni Daniel Agudelo, an interpretive ranger at Grand Teton National Park.
During and after his undergraduate studies, Daniel has worked at several National Parks including the Everglades National Park and Chaco Canyon. From educator to conservator, Daniel has worn multiple hats to connect people to the environment. Daniel believes his degree in anthropology compliments the mission of the National Park Service, to conserve and share with visitors the natural and cultural resources of the United States.
For more information on Daniel’s development of Spanish interpretive experiences at the Everglades National Park, check out this blog from the Student Conservation Association. For more information on opportunities with the National Park Service, check out their webpage “Work With US."
Andrea Blaser and Jim Moss, Collection Managers at the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology (UMMAA), discuss what a degree in Anthropology could look like! Sara Borsodi, an undergraduate student in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies, guides this conversation.
UMMAA houses over 3 million artifacts from 162 different countries around the world. As collection managers, Andrea and Jim oversee the care and research of these collections and facilitate access to them for students, faculty, researchers, and community members. Both found their way into the museum world along different paths, but Andrea and Jim agree that anthropology provides a valuable way for us to learn and contextualize how we got here.
To learn more about UMMAA and the collection managers, check out this webpage. Many undergraduate universities provide minors, majors, and/or certificate programs in museum studies that can compliment a degree in Anthropology. Check out this list of summer museum internships or volunteer activities undertaken by previous University of Michigan undergraduates.
Anthropology student Sara Borsodi interviews Museum Education and Programs Education Manager, Leah Burgin.
Leah is the Manager of Museum Education and Programs at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, at Brown University, where she has worked since 2017. She received her Bachelor's from the University of Michigan majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Museum Studies. After working at several museums in DC, Leah decided to pursue a masters at Brown University in Museum Studies. Leah is committed to the collaborative work of decolonizing museums and education outreach. She has worked to create many outreach and educational programs, some of which she explains in greater detail in her interview (spoiler, creating a virtual museum escape room is one of them!). Leah is also extremely passionate about the social justice potential of heritage education. In her interview she shares her thoughts on what the role anthropology can play in decolonizing museums and making museums more equitable spaces, but also in our everyday lives.
Anthropology student Eloise Jansen interviews Taylour Boboltz, an UMMAA alumni and recent Law School Gradaute.
Taylour received her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Indigenous Studies. Taylour was originally an English major and decided to switch to Anthropology after taking Anthro101! After working part time with the NAGPRA department in the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology she decided to pursue a Law Degree at Michigan, in order to continue working with NAGPRA related legislation. She is currently an associate at Hobbs, Status, Dean and Walker LLD. In this interview, Taylour reflects on how having a background in anthropology was an asset while navigating law school and the role anthropology can play in the discipline.
