Anthropology is the study of humanity: our cultures, our language, our society, even our biology. Anthropologists study the origins and development of people and societies and use that knowledge to better understand who we are, how we came to be and where we might be going.
Anthropologists often work abroad but they can also be found working in companies, governments, educational institutions and non-profit organizations in the U.S. Anthropologists can even be found working in disaster areas, such as New York's Ground Zero or Port-au-Prince following the January 2021 hurricane in Haiti.
A large discipline, anthropology is generally broken down into four subfields (cultural, archaeology, physical and linguistics). Anthropologists are employed in a wide range of careers, depending on their background and expertise, and the general knowledge and insights gained from studying this subject can have useful applications in a variety of careers and pursuits.
Our courses provide an introduction to a variety of anthropology fields and contribute to an increased understanding of the causes, effects and uses of politics, language, culture and religion in the past, present and future. Anthropology classes are held on the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses and online.
While completing this pre-major, you can also complete the requirements for one or more of our special programs . Your anthropology studies could tie directly into special topics such as women, gender and sexuality studies, global studies, peace and social justice studies and environmental studies . If you meet the course requirements for these special programs, you will have a notation added to your transcript.
We offer an associate in arts (A.A.) degree for students intending to transfer into baccalaureate programs at a four-year college or university.
This curriculum is designed for students who are interested in studying this field and are considering completing a bachelor's degree in anthropology after transferring to a four-year college or university. It will give you a solid foundation in key anthropology topics while also giving you the chance to complete some of the key general education requirements that should transfer seamlessly to the four-year school of your choice.
Pre-majors are recommended for students planning to complete a Bachelor’s degree after transferring to a four-year institution and are designed for students who have not yet decided on a specific four-year college or university. Career options in this field reflect the salaries and opportunities available to students upon completing their Bachelor’s degree.
To see specific Transfer Path agreements that Oakton has made with partner universities, please see the Transfer Partnerships and Guides.
For additional support with transfer planning, including course selection and educational planning, please contact the office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success. The Career & Transfer Center (CTC) offers additional resources for students preparing to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
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Michelle Naffziger-Hirsch
Co-chair, Co-chair of Anthropology, College Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences & Sociology (ACEPSS)
Professor of Sociology
B.A. Northwestern University
M.A. Northwestern University
Ph.D. Northwestern University
mnaffzig@oakton.edu
847.376.7269
Room 3604, Des Plaines
Katherine Schuster
Co-chair, Co-chair of Anthropology, College Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences & Sociology (ACEPSS)
Coordinator, Education and Global Studies
Distinguished Professor, Education
B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
M.S. Minnesota State University
Ph.D. Loyola University - Chicago
schuster@oakton.edu
Homepage: www.oakton.edu/~schuster
847.376.7118
Room 2526, Des Plaines
Lindsey Hewitt
Coordinator, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Professor of Anthropology and Humanities
B.A. Truman State University
M.S. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
lhewitt@oakton.edu
847.376.7044
Room 2526, Des Plaines
Anika Jones
Associate Professor of Anthropology/Sociology
B.A. (Sociology) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
B.A. (Africology: Culture and Society) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
M.A. (Liberal Studies) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Ph.D. (Cultural Anthropology) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
ajones@oakton.edu
847-376-7038
Room 2554, Des Plaines
Megan Klein
Professor of Anthropology/Sociology
B.A. (Spanish) University of Iowa
B.B.A. (Management) University of Iowa
M.A. (Spanish) Loyola University of Chicago
M.A. (Anthropology) University of Illinois-Chicago
M.A. (Sociology) Loyola University of Chicago
Ph.D. (Sociology) Loyola University
mklein@oakton.edu
847.376.7125
Room 2704, Des Plaines
Meet our part-time faculty
Evangeline Catungal
Lecturer
B.S.C. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
M.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
M.S. University of Phoenix
catungal@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Room 2430, Des Plaines
Rory Dennison
Lecturer
B.A. Minnesota State University - Moorhead
M.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Illinois at Chicago
rdennison@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Eileen Off
Lecturer
B.S. Loyola University Chicago
M.A. Northern Illinois University
Ph.D. University of Cape Town (South Africa)
eoff@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Room 2430, Des Plaines
