Anthropology (AA)
Program Overview:
Bridge Cultural Divides in Your Community!
Interview and advocate for minority employees at a large business. Teach English as a second language to a diverse classroom of immigrants. Compile data on the complexities of demographics to allow for more effective marketing strategies and content. Examine the discoveries of an archaeological site to understand the history of a society thousands of years old. Careers in anthropology focus on people and the role that culture plays in their lives.
Anthropologists connect the dots between cultures, and sometimes even build bridges between people. It is a field that requires integrity, determination, curiosity, and compassion.
Careers in Anthropology
With an Associate in Arts degree in Anthropology, you can work in museums, human resources, social services, marketing, archaeological sites, or law. You will likely have the opportunity to work closely with anthropologists or other professionals and together, play an important role in the lives of everyday people.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with an Anthropology degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov December 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | $33,750/year | $16.22/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed |
13% increase (much faster than average) |
413,700 |
Plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $113,300/year | $54.47/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more |
7% increase (faster than average) |
152,100 |
Oversee collections of historic items or artwork. Prepare and restore items in museum collections.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $48,400/year | $23.27/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 9% increase (faster than average) |
35,900 |
Study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $63,120/year | $30.35/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed |
20% increase (much faster than average) |
681,900 |
Study the origin, development, and behavior of humans.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $62,410/year | $30.01/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed |
10% increase (faster than average) |
6,500 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Anthropology
You can get Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degrees through LASC’s Anthropology program where you will refine your awareness of and respect for human diversity:
- Develop a holistic perspective on issues ranging from local politics to national conversations, and global human rights violations so you can analyze situations with this context to understand the cultural factors around how and why people react to situations the way they do.
- Build leadership and teamwork skills through group and research projects, expand your objectivity skills to make measured and rational decisions within your research, and enhance your curiosity and observation skills to find different ways to look at people and their interactions.
- Discover the complexities of culture and understand the role it plays in human behavior, biology, evolution, and ways of life through the use of anthropology-based research methods and academic knowledge so you can solve issues, make comparisons, and gain a better understanding of how culture impacts people.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- Want to transfer? An Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degree in Anthropology will prepare you to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You’ll be able to save money on your first two years of college learning from engaging, knowledgeable faculty. Plus, you can graduate with guaranteed admission into a CSU! See your academic counselor for details.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Arts in Anthropology (AA) and Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (AAT) degrees below along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 2202.00
Total Units Required: 60-61
Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Apply a holistic anthropological perspective to the analysis of local, national, and global humanitarian issues.
- Analyze the role that culture plays in human behavior, biology, evolution, and ways of life.
- Develop an awareness of and respect for human diversity.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| ANTHRO 101 Human Biological Evolution | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| GEOG 1 Physical Geography | 3 |
| HISTORY 1 Introduction to Western Civilization I | 3 |
| HISTORY 2 Introduction to Western Civilization II | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 21 |
| Plus 3 units from Recommended Electives: | Units |
|---|---|
| ANTHRO 104 Human Language and Communication | 3 |
| ANTHRO 121 Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft | 3 |
| ANTHRO 133 Peoples and Cultures of Africa | 3 |
| HUMAN 1 Cultural Patterns of Western Civilization | 3 |
| POL SCI 1 The Government of the United States | 3 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| SOC 2 American Social Problems | 3 |
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC, then an Associate in Arts in Anthropology is for you! You can complete an Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree (AAT) in Anthropology if you planning to transfer to a CSU Anthropology bachelor’s program. By successfully completing this degree, you are guaranteed admission to a CSU upon completion of this program!
The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer Degree requirements include:
- completion of 60 CSU transferable units, including the minimum 18 units in the major and the completion of either IGETC or CSU GE;
- a minimum GPA of 2.0.
If you are interested in completing an Associate Degree for Transfer, you must:
- Complete 60-semester units of 90-quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: *
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements:
- A minimum of 18-semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
*As required by Senate Bill 1440 & California Education Code section 66746
ADTs also require that you must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in the major.
You should meet with a counselor to determine the necessary course work to complete the general education requirements.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| ANTHRO 101 Human Biological Evolution | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 103 Archaeology: Reconstructing the Human Past | 3 |
| List A: Select One | |
| ANTHRO 121 Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft | 3 |
| MATH 227 Statistics | 4 |
| List B Area 1: Select One | |
| PSYCH 92 Psychological Research | 5 |
| SOC 4 Sociology Analysis | 3 |
| List B Area 2: Required | |
| GEOLOGY 1 Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEOLOGY 6 Physical Geology Laboratory | 2 |
| List C: Select One | |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 11 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18-21 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in a career in anthropology? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your future career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career goals. If getting a bachelor’s degree makes more sense for what you want to do, LASC’s associate degree for transfer makes it easy to get into a CSU. And, you will also save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars going to LASC for your first couple of years compared to going to a CSU all four years!
- Still in high school? Search for opportunities to volunteer with museums or libraries. Talk with your high school counselor to find out if there are opportunities to intern at institutions like these and shadow someone for the day. Ask about summer opportunities in your local community where you can learn more, and gain more experience in your career.
- Once you’re at LASC, make sure to get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, such as the Anthropology Club and Hip Hop Congress, to become a student ambassador, or run for student body government. These create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to building writing, communication, and leadership skills.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Apply a holistic anthropological perspective to the analysis of local, national, and global humanitarian issues.
- Analyze the role that culture plays in human behavior, biology, evolution, and ways of life.
- Develop an awareness of and respect for human diversity.