-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
1/63
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
• Majors and Academics Home
•
Articles• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and cultural
characteristics, distribution, customs, and social relationships
!mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development of
early cultures, and the diversity of cultural development among
peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may becoupled "ith area studies majors such as
African$American or Asian studies
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
2/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
• historian
• linguistic anthropologist
• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
• Majors and Academics Home
• Articles• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2F
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
3/63
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and cultural
characteristics, distribution, customs, and social relationships
!mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development ofearly cultures, and the diversity of
cultural development among peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may be
coupled "ith area studies majors such as African$American or
Asian studies
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
4/63
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
• historian
• linguistic anthropologist
• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
Archaeology
rchaeology is most directly concerned "ith understanding
and explaining extinct
cultures and living societies through the excavation, analysis,
and interpretation of their
material remains By reconstructing the past, a picture is formed
of ho" and "hy human
cultures have developed /ata gathering and interpretation lie at
the heart of this (eld
&he archaeologist uses physical science technology
such as dating methods,
cartography, and geology
Education
&he program of study is sometimes included as a
concentration "ithin an anthropology
major "ith a program in art or art history A core curriculum of
courses in classical
archaeology, archaeological methods and observation techni0ues
leads to courses in
advanced methods, seminars on current topics, and directed
research )lasses include
archaeology of classical civili1ations, archaeological (eld
methods, statistics, computer
science for the archaeologist, forensic archaeology, and
2aleolithic cultures
Possible careers
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• archivist
• biologist
•
college professor• cultural resource management
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
5/63
• editor
• la"yer
• museum curator
• paleontologist
• park ranger
• research scientist
• teacher
• technical "riter
Art History
&his major consists of the study of art
history in all its various forms, from earliest times
to the present day !t emphasi1es the development of art
throughout human history
'tudents study the relationship of artistic expression to the
historical period "ithin "hich
it "as produced, as "ell as contemporary assessments of the
art"ork
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a strong foundation in
liberal arts, including courses in art
appreciation and history At the upper$division level, the
student is encouraged to focus
on one "orld region for more intensive study 'tudents have the
option to study more
than one geographical region or historical period to achieve
more breadth of expertise
An occasional program may o#er a concentration in art appraisal,
re0uiring courses such
as methodology of appraisal and other related subjects
3enerally, art history major
programs do not re0uire courses in the visual arts, but many
students choose to take
some courses in that area, out of personal preference 'tudents
focusing on one
geographic area are "ell advised to be at least conversant in
the language of the region
and to consider study abroad programs
Possible careers
• art appraiser
• art critic
• art historian
• art restorer
• artist
• cartoonist
• college professor
• commercial artist
• gallery o"ner
• museum curator
• sales representative
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
6/63
• teacher
3eography
!eography is the interdisciplinary study of the
topographic, climatic, and geological
features of the landmasses of the earth and ho" people interact
"ith them 3iven
current concerns about exploitation of natural resources and
climatic development,
geography has great relevance in several areas today, including
oil exploration and
environmental and pollution control
Education
&he plan of study is career$oriented )ourse "ork is
available in regional geography,
geographic methods and techni0ues, or systematic geography
&his major has expanded
its focus to accommodate the needs of regional, state, and
federal governments and
private and public organi1ations that conduct global research
)olleges o#eringgeography as a pure major often have dual major
programs, such as
geography.economics, geography.regional science, or
geography.regional.urban
planning 4ield "ork can be an expected )lasses include
meteorology, applied
mathematics, statistics, basic cartography, transportation
systems, and urban models
Possible careers
• cartographer
• city manager
• college professor
• community planner
• economic geographer
• economist
• environmental manager
• forestry technician
• general geographer
• hydrologist
• la"yer
• outdoor guide
• park ranger
• physical geographer
• planning engineer
• political geographer
• political scientist
•
site selection analyst
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
7/63
History
&hrough the use of secondary and primary documents and
other artifacts, students gain
an active appreciation of the past in order to better understand
present events and
conditions !n studying history, the student develops the
ability to think critically,evaluate evidence objectively, and
express kno"ledge clearly and forcefully to others
&he career possibilities for history majors are not
especially plentiful for those students
interested in teaching on the college level, but there are many
other avenues that a
history major may explore, making it among the most popular
college major programs
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a (rm grounding in
"ritten English skills and courses in the
humanities and the social sciences, such as anthropology,
political science, psychology,
and sociology At the upper$division level, students may
speciali1e in the history of anarea *eg, America, Europe, or Asia+
or in a period of history *eg, the 3reco$5oman era,
the American 5evolution, or sixteenth$century 6apan+ Extensive
independent research is
re0uired, often culminating "ith a long senior project of the
student7s choosing )lasses
include historical analysis, political science, anthropology,
and sociology
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
•
editor• historian
• intelligence analyst
• journalist
• la"yer
• librarian
• museum curator
• political scientist
• reporter
• research historian
!nternational 5elations
"nternational relations is the study of the interactions of
nations "ith one another and
the use of political po"er and diplomacy to accomplish national
goals &he study is an
interdisciplinary one, examining legal systems, political
structures, the e#ects of
geography and population si1e, access to minerals and ra"
materials for production, and
economic forces that a#ect the "ay nations behave to"ard one
another &he major can
lead to an academic career, or one in government or business
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
8/63
Education
&he plan of study o#ers students a choice of
concentrations "ithin the major )olleges
o#ering this study as a true major may include courses in
comparative politics,
international economics, international a#airs, diplomacy, and
diplomatic history &he
study also may be o#ered as a minor in conjunction "ith such
programs as area studies,
economics, or political science 'tudents in this program of
study should ac0uire a
mastery of at least one foreign language 'tudy abroad is not
re0uired, but is highly
recommended )lasses include comparative polit
• Majors and Academics Home
• Articles
• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2F
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
9/63
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and cultural
characteristics, distribution, customs, and social relationships
!mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development ofearly cultures, and the diversity of
cultural development among peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may be
coupled "ith area studies majors such as African$American or
Asian studies
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
•
historian• linguistic anthropologist
• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
10/63
Archaeology
rchaeology is most directly concerned "ith understanding
and explaining extinct
cultures and living societies through the excavation, analysis,
and interpretation of their
material remains By reconstructing the past, a picture is formed
of ho" and "hy humancultures have developed /ata gathering and
interpretation lie at the heart of this (eld
&he archaeologist uses physical science technology
such as dating methods,
cartography, and geology
Education
&he program of study is sometimes included as a
concentration "ithin an anthropology
major "ith a program in art or art history A core curriculum of
courses in classical
archaeology, archaeological methods and observation techni0ues
leads to courses in
advanced methods, seminars on current topics, and directed
research )lasses include
archaeology of classical civili1ations, archaeological (eld
methods, statistics, computer
science for the archaeologist, forensic archaeology, and
2aleolithic cultures
Possible careers
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• archivist
• biologist
• college professor
• cultural resource management
• editor
• la"yer
• museum curator
• paleontologist
• park ranger
• research scientist
• teacher
• technical "riter
Art History
&his major consists of the study of art
history in all its various forms, from earliest times
to the present day !t emphasi1es the development of art
throughout human history
'tudents study the relationship of artistic expression to the
historical period "ithin "hich
it "as produced, as "ell as contemporary assessments of the
art"ork
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
11/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a strong foundation in
liberal arts, including courses in art
appreciation and history At the upper$division level, the
student is encouraged to focus
on one "orld region for more intensive study 'tudents have the
option to study more
than one geographical region or historical period to achieve
more breadth of expertise
An occasional program may o#er a concentration in art appraisal,
re0uiring courses such
as methodology of appraisal and other related subjects
3enerally, art history major
programs do not re0uire courses in the visual arts, but many
students choose to take
some courses in that area, out of personal preference 'tudents
focusing on one
geographic area are "ell advised to be at least conversant in
the language of the region
and to consider study abroad programs
Possible careers
• art appraiser
• art critic
• art historian
• art restorer
• artist
• cartoonist
• college professor
• commercial artist
• gallery o"ner
• museum curator
• sales representative
• teacher
3eography
!eography is the interdisciplinary study of the
topographic, climatic, and geological
features of the landmasses of the earth and ho" people interact
"ith them 3iven
current concerns about exploitation of natural resources and
climatic development,
geography has great relevance in several areas today, including
oil exploration and
environmental and pollution control
Education
&he plan of study is career$oriented )ourse "ork is
available in regional geography,
geographic methods and techni0ues, or systematic geography
&his major has expanded
its focus to accommodate the needs of regional, state, and
federal governments and
private and public organi1ations that conduct global research
)olleges o#ering
geography as a pure major often have dual major programs, such
as
geography.economics, geography.regional science, or
geography.regional.urban
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
12/63
planning 4ield "ork can be an expected )lasses include
meteorology, applied
mathematics, statistics, basic cartography, transportation
systems, and urban models
Possible careers
•
cartographer• city manager
• college professor
• community planner
• economic geographer
• economist
• environmental manager
• forestry technician
• general geographer
• hydrologist
• la"yer
• outdoor guide
• park ranger
• physical geographer
• planning engineer
• political geographer
• political scientist
• site selection analyst
• sociologist
• soil conservation
• systems analyst
• "eather forecaster
History
&hrough the use of secondary and primary documents and
other artifacts, students gain
an active appreciation of the past in order to better understand
present events and
conditions !n studying history, the student develops the
ability to think critically,
evaluate evidence objectively, and express kno"ledge clearly and
forcefully to others
&he career possibilities for history majors are not
especially plentiful for those students
interested in teaching on the college level, but there are many
other avenues that a
history major may explore, making it among the most popular
college major programs
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
13/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a (rm grounding in
"ritten English skills and courses in the
humanities and the social sciences, such as anthropology,
political science, psychology,
and sociology At the upper$division level, students may
speciali1e in the history of an
area *eg, America, Europe, or Asia+ or in a period of history
*eg, the 3reco$5oman era,
the American 5evolution, or sixteenth$century 6apan+ Extensive
independent research is
re0uired, often culminating "ith a long senior project of the
student7s choosing )lasses
include historical analysis, political science, anthropology,
and sociology
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
• editor
• historian
• intelligence analyst
• journalist
• la"yer
• librarian
• museum curator
• political scientist
•
reporter• research historian
• secondary school teacher
!nternational 5elations
"nternational relations is the study of the interactions of
nations "ith one another and
the use of political po"er and diplomacy to accomplish national
goals &he study is an
interdisciplinary one, examining legal systems, political
structures, the e#ects of
geography and population si1e, access to minerals and ra"
materials for production, and
economic forces that a#ect the "ay nations behave to"ard one
another &he major canlead to an academic career, or one in
government or business
Education
&he plan of study o#ers students a choice of
concentrations "ithin the major )olleges
o#ering this study as a true major may include courses in
comparative politics,
international economics, international a#airs, diplomacy, and
diplomatic history &he
study also may be o#ered as a minor in conjunction "ith such
programs as area studies,
economics, or political science 'tudents in this program of
study should ac0uire a
mastery of at least one foreign language 'tudy abroad is not
re0uired, but is highly
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
14/63
recommended )lasses include comparative politics, international
la", legal systems of
East and 8est, diplomatic history, natural resources, and
politics
Possible careers
•
)!A analyst• college professor
• congressional committee sta# "ork
• editor
• foreign service o9cer
• freelance "riter
• intelligence analyst
• international diplomat
• international la"yer
• language translator
• management consultant
• military o9cer
• political analyst
• political scientist
iberal arts
#iberal arts is a (eld of study intended to provide the
student "ith a broad general
educational background, rather than a speciali1ed program or
some form of vocational
training &he major is a useful preparation for graduate or
professional study in la",
education, the sciences, or medicine &his is also an
appropriate major for students "ho
are undecided- or "ant to use their undergraduate years to
improve their academic
skills 'tudents should check college catalogs carefully,
especially if interested in
attending a liberal arts college, because many of them do not
o#er this general major
Education
&he plan of study includes re0uirements in a variety
of departments, starting "ith English
and including mathematics, history, non$laboratory science,
language study, and the (ne
and visual arts 'tudents "ill speciali1e in one area as they
move through major
re0uirements More than most majors, students "ill "ant to "ork
closely "ith faculty
advisor to tailor programs to meet their goals, as there is a
fair amount of ;exibility
Possible careers
• accountant
• clergy
• college professor
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
15/63
• entertainer
• entrepreneur
• freelance "riter
• government "orker
• la"yer
• military o9cer
• print or media journalist
• teacher
• Majors and Academics Home
• Articles
• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2F
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
16/63
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and cultural
characteristics, distribution, customs, and social relationships
!mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development ofearly cultures, and the diversity of
cultural development among peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may be
coupled "ith area studies majors such as African$American or
Asian studies
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
•
historian• linguistic anthropologist
• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
17/63
Archaeology
rchaeology is most directly concerned "ith understanding
and explaining extinct
cultures and living societies through the excavation, analysis,
and interpretation of their
material remains By reconstructing the past, a picture is formed
of ho" and "hy humancultures have developed /ata gathering and
interpretation lie at the heart of this (eld
&he archaeologist uses physical science technology
such as dating methods,
cartography, and geology
Education
&he program of study is sometimes included as a
concentration "ithin an anthropology
major "ith a program in art or art history A core curriculum of
courses in classical
archaeology, archaeological methods and observation techni0ues
leads to courses in
advanced methods, seminars on current topics, and directed
research )lasses include
archaeology of classical civili1ations, archaeological (eld
methods, statistics, computer
science for the archaeologist, forensic archaeology, and
2aleolithic cultures
Possible careers
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• archivist
• biologist
• college professor
• cultural resource management
• editor
• la"yer
• museum curator
• paleontologist
• park ranger
• research scientist
• teacher
• technical "riter
Art History
&his major consists of the study of art
history in all its various forms, from earliest times
to the present day !t emphasi1es the development of art
throughout human history
'tudents study the relationship of artistic expression to the
historical period "ithin "hich
it "as produced, as "ell as contemporary assessments of the
art"ork
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
18/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a strong foundation in
liberal arts, including courses in art
appreciation and history At the upper$division level, the
student is encouraged to focus
on one "orld region for more intensive study 'tudents have the
option to study more
than one geographical region or historical period to achieve
more breadth of expertise
An occasional program may o#er a concentration in art appraisal,
re0uiring courses such
as methodology of appraisal and other related subjects
3enerally, art history major
programs do not re0uire courses in the visual arts, but many
students choose to take
some courses in that area, out of personal preference 'tudents
focusing on one
geographic area are "ell advised to be at least conversant in
the language of the region
and to consider study abroad programs
Possible careers
• art appraiser
• art critic
• art historian
• art restorer
• artist
• cartoonist
• college professor
• commercial artist
• gallery o"ner
• museum curator
• sales representative
• teacher
3eography
!eography is the interdisciplinary study of the
topographic, climatic, and geological
features of the landmasses of the earth and ho" people interact
"ith them 3iven
current concerns about exploitation of natural resources and
climatic development,
geography has great relevance in several areas today, including
oil exploration and
environmental and pollution control
Education
&he plan of study is career$oriented )ourse "ork is
available in regional geography,
geographic methods and techni0ues, or systematic geography
&his major has expanded
its focus to accommodate the needs of regional, state, and
federal governments and
private and public organi1ations that conduct global research
)olleges o#ering
geography as a pure major often have dual major programs, such
as
geography.economics, geography.regional science, or
geography.regional.urban
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
19/63
planning 4ield "ork can be an expected )lasses include
meteorology, applied
mathematics, statistics, basic cartography, transportation
systems, and urban models
Possible careers
•
cartographer• city manager
• college professor
• community planner
• economic geographer
• economist
• environmental manager
• forestry technician
• general geographer
• hydrologist
• la"yer
• outdoor guide
• park ranger
• physical geographer
• planning engineer
• political geographer
• political scientist
• site selection analyst
• sociologist
• soil conservation
• systems analyst
• "eather forecaster
History
&hrough the use of secondary and primary documents and
other artifacts, students gain
an active appreciation of the past in order to better understand
present events and
conditions !n studying history, the student develops the
ability to think critically,
evaluate evidence objectively, and express kno"ledge clearly and
forcefully to others
&he career possibilities for history majors are not
especially plentiful for those students
interested in teaching on the college level, but there are many
other avenues that a
history major may explore, making it among the most popular
college major programs
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
20/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a (rm grounding in
"ritten English skills and courses in the
humanities and the social sciences, such as anthropology,
political science, psychology,
and sociology At the upper$division level, students may
speciali1e in the history of an
area *eg, America, Europe, or Asia+ or in a period of history
*eg, the 3reco$5oman era,
the American 5evolution, or sixteenth$century 6apan+ Extensive
independent research is
re0uired, often culminating "ith a long senior project of the
student7s choosing )lasses
include historical analysis, political science, anthropology,
and sociology
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
• editor
• historian
• intelligence analyst
• journalist
• la"yer
• librarian
• museum curator
• political scientist
•
reporter• research historian
• secondary school teacher
!nternational 5elations
"nternational relations is the study of the interactions of
nations "ith one another and
the use of political po"er and diplomacy to accomplish national
goals &he study is an
interdisciplinary one, examining legal systems, political
structures, the e#ects of
geography and population si1e, access to minerals and ra"
materials for production, and
economic forces that a#ect the "ay nations behave to"ard one
another &he major canlead to an academic career, or one in
government or business
Education
&he plan of study o#ers students a choice of
concentrations "ithin the major )olleges
o#ering this study as a true major may include courses in
comparative politics,
international economics, international a#airs, diplomacy, and
diplomatic history &he
study also may be o#ered as a minor in conjunction "ith such
programs as area studies,
economics, or political science 'tudents in this program of
study should ac0uire a
mastery of at least one foreign language 'tudy abroad is not
re0uired, but is highly
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
21/63
recommended )lasses include comparative politics, international
la", legal systems of
East and 8est, diplomatic history, natural resources, and
politics
Possible careers
•
)!A analyst• college professor
• congressional committee sta# "ork
• editor
• foreign service o9cer
• freelance "riter
• intelligence analyst
• international diplomat
• international la"yer
• language translator
• management consultant
• military o9cer
• political analyst
• political scientist
iberal arts
#iberal arts is a (eld of study intended to provide the
student "ith a broad general
educational background, rather than a speciali1ed program or
some form of vocational
training &he major is a useful preparation for graduate or
professional study in la",
education, the sciences, or medicine &his is also an
appropriate major for students "ho
are undecided- or "ant to use their undergraduate years to
improve their academic
skills 'tudents should check college catalogs carefully,
especially if interested in
attending a liberal arts college, because many of them do not
o#er this general major
Education
&he plan of study includes re0uirements in a variety
of departments, starting "ith English
and including mathematics, history, non$laboratory science,
language study, and the (ne
and visual arts 'tudents "ill speciali1e in one area as they
move through major
re0uirements More than most majors, students "ill "ant to "ork
closely "ith faculty
advisor to tailor programs to meet their goals, as there is a
fair amount of ;exibility
Possible careers
• accountant
• clergy
• college professor
• entertainer
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
22/63
• entrepreneur
• freelance "riter
• government "orker
• la"yer
• military o9cer
• print or media journalist
• teacher
ibrary 'cience
#ibrary science is the skill of organi1ing libraries so
their contents may be fully utili1ed
8hether small one$person sites or large fully sta#ed urban,
university, or speciali1ed
libraries, they are universally organi1ed according to one of
three prevailing systems &he
use of computers for all aspects of library management is common
place< therefore, theaspiring librarian must have strong
computer skills
Education
5elatively fe" colleges o#er library science as an undergraduate
major &he plan of study
consists of a liberal arts core, including psychology, history,
mathematics, and science at
the upper$division level< the major program involves in$depth
study of each of the three
organi1ational systems, as "ell as library management, public
relations, (nance and
budgeting, and management ibrary science is more often pursues
as a graduate study
leading to the master of library science *M'+ degree )lasses
include psychology,library organi1ation and management, book and
periodical cataloguing, storytelling, and
speciali1ed libraries
Possible careers
• ac0uisition librarian
• bibliographer
• college professor
• encyclopedia researcher
• information scientist
• media specialist
• museum curator
• proofreader
• public librarian
• research analyst
• school librarian
• technical "riter
• Majors and Academics Home
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
23/63
• Articles
• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and culturalcharacteristics, distribution, customs,
and social relationships !mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development of
early cultures, and the diversity of cultural development among
peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may be
coupled "ith area studies majors such as African$American or
Asian studies
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
24/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
• historian
•
linguistic anthropologist• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
Archaeology
rchaeology is most directly concerned "ith understanding
and explaining extinct
cultures and living societies through the excavation, analysis,
and interpretation of their
material remains By reconstructing the past, a picture is formed
of ho" and "hy human
cultures have developed /ata gathering and interpretation lie at
the heart of this (eld
&he archaeologist uses physical science technology
such as dating methods,
cartography, and geology
Education
&he program of study is sometimes included as a
concentration "ithin an anthropologymajor "ith a program in art or
art history A core curriculum of courses in classical
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
25/63
archaeology, archaeological methods and observation techni0ues
leads to courses in
advanced methods, seminars on current topics, and directed
research )lasses include
archaeology of classical civili1ations, archaeological (eld
methods, statistics, computer
science for the archaeologist, forensic archaeology, and
2aleolithic cultures
Possible careers
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• archivist
• biologist
• college professor
• cultural resource management
• editor
• la"yer
• museum curator
• paleontologist
• park ranger
• research scientist
• teacher
• technical "riter
Art History
&his major consists of the study of art
history in all its various forms, from earliest times
to the present day !t emphasi1es the development of art
throughout human history
'tudents study the relationship of artistic expression to the
historical period "ithin "hich
it "as produced, as "ell as contemporary assessments of the
art"ork
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a strong foundation in
liberal arts, including courses in art
appreciation and history At the upper$division level, the
student is encouraged to focus
on one "orld region for more intensive study 'tudents have the
option to study more
than one geographical region or historical period to achieve
more breadth of expertise
An occasional program may o#er a concentration in art appraisal,
re0uiring courses such
as methodology of appraisal and other related subjects
3enerally, art history major
programs do not re0uire courses in the visual arts, but many
students choose to take
some courses in that area, out of personal preference 'tudents
focusing on one
geographic area are "ell advised to be at least conversant in
the language of the region
and to consider study abroad programs
Possible careers
• art appraiser
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
26/63
• art critic
• art historian
• art restorer
• artist
• cartoonist
• college professor
• commercial artist
• gallery o"ner
• museum curator
• sales representative
• teacher
3eography
!eography is the interdisciplinary study of the
topographic, climatic, and geological
features of the landmasses of the earth and ho" people interact
"ith them 3iven
current concerns about exploitation of natural resources and
climatic development,
geography has great relevance in several areas today, including
oil exploration and
environmental and pollution control
Education
&he plan of study is career$oriented )ourse "ork is
available in regional geography,geographic methods and techni0ues,
or systematic geography &his major has expanded
its focus to accommodate the needs of regional, state, and
federal governments and
private and public organi1ations that conduct global research
)olleges o#ering
geography as a pure major often have dual major programs, such
as
geography.economics, geography.regional science, or
geography.regional.urban
planning 4ield "ork can be an expected )lasses include
meteorology, applied
mathematics, statistics, basic cartography, transportation
systems, and urban models
Possible careers
• cartographer
• city manager
• college professor
• community planner
• economic geographer
• economist
• environmental manager
• forestry technician
• general geographer
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
27/63
• hydrologist
• la"yer
• outdoor guide
• park ranger
• physical geographer
• planning engineer
• political geographer
• political scientist
• site selection analyst
• sociologist
• soil conservation
• systems analyst
• "eather forecaster
History
&hrough the use of secondary and primary documents and
other artifacts, students gain
an active appreciation of the past in order to better understand
present events and
conditions !n studying history, the student develops the
ability to think critically,
evaluate evidence objectively, and express kno"ledge clearly and
forcefully to others
&he career possibilities for history majors are not
especially plentiful for those students
interested in teaching on the college level, but there are many
other avenues that ahistory major may explore, making it among the
most popular college major programs
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a (rm grounding in
"ritten English skills and courses in the
humanities and the social sciences, such as anthropology,
political science, psychology,
and sociology At the upper$division level, students may
speciali1e in the history of an
area *eg, America, Europe, or Asia+ or in a period of history
*eg, the 3reco$5oman era,
the American 5evolution, or sixteenth$century 6apan+ Extensive
independent research is
re0uired, often culminating "ith a long senior project of the
student7s choosing )lasses
include historical analysis, political science, anthropology,
and sociology
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
• editor
• historian
• intelligence analyst
• journalist
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
28/63
• la"yer
• librarian
• museum curator
• political scientist
• reporter
• research historian
• secondary school teacher
!nternational 5elations
"nternational relations is the study of the interactions of
nations "ith one another and
the use of political po"er and diplomacy to accomplish national
goals &he study is an
interdisciplinary one, examining legal systems, political
structures, the e#ects of
geography and population si1e, access to minerals and ra"
materials for production, andeconomic forces that a#ect the "ay
nations behave to"ard one another &he major can
lead to an academic career, or one in government or business
Education
&he plan of study o#ers students a choice of
concentrations "ithin the major )olleges
o#ering this study as a true major may include courses in
comparative politics,
international economics, international a#airs, diplomacy, and
diplomatic history &he
study also may be o#ered as a minor in conjunction "ith such
programs as area studies,
economics, or political science 'tudents in this program of
study should ac0uire amastery of at least one foreign language
'tudy abroad is not re0uired, but is highly
recommended )lasses include comparative politics, international
la", legal systems of
East and 8est, diplomatic history, natural resources, and
politics
Possible careers
• )!A analyst
• college professor
• congressional committee sta# "ork
• editor
• foreign service o9cer
• freelance "riter
• intelligence analyst
• international diplomat
• international la"yer
• language translator
• management consultant
• military o9cer
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
29/63
• political analyst
• political scientist
iberal arts
#iberal arts is a (eld of study intended to provide the
student "ith a broad general
educational background, rather than a speciali1ed program or
some form of vocational
training &he major is a useful preparation for graduate or
professional study in la",
education, the sciences, or medicine &his is also an
appropriate major for students "ho
are undecided- or "ant to use their undergraduate years to
improve their academic
skills 'tudents should check college catalogs carefully,
especially if interested in
attending a liberal arts college, because many of them do not
o#er this general major
Education
&he plan of study includes re0uirements in a variety
of departments, starting "ith English
and including mathematics, history, non$laboratory science,
language study, and the (ne
and visual arts 'tudents "ill speciali1e in one area as they
move through major
re0uirements More than most majors, students "ill "ant to "ork
closely "ith faculty
advisor to tailor programs to meet their goals, as there is a
fair amount of ;exibility
Possible careers
• accountant
• clergy
• college professor
• entertainer
• entrepreneur
• freelance "riter
• government "orker
• la"yer
• military o9cer
• print or media journalist
• teacher
ibrary 'cience
#ibrary science is the skill of organi1ing libraries so
their contents may be fully utili1ed
8hether small one$person sites or large fully sta#ed urban,
university, or speciali1ed
libraries, they are universally organi1ed according to one of
three prevailing systems &he
use of computers for all aspects of library management is common
place< therefore, the
aspiring librarian must have strong computer skills
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
30/63
Education
5elatively fe" colleges o#er library science as an undergraduate
major &he plan of study
consists of a liberal arts core, including psychology, history,
mathematics, and science at
the upper$division level< the major program involves in$depth
study of each of the three
organi1ational systems, as "ell as library management, public
relations, (nance and
budgeting, and management ibrary science is more often pursues
as a graduate study
leading to the master of library science *M'+ degree )lasses
include psychology,
library organi1ation and management, book and periodical
cataloguing, storytelling, and
speciali1ed libraries
Possible careers
• ac0uisition librarian
• bibliographer
• college professor
• encyclopedia researcher
• information scientist
• media specialist
• museum curator
• proofreader
• public librarian
• research analyst
• school librarian
• technical "riter
inguistics
#inguistics is a systematic study that seeks to discover
and provide explanations for
general properties of linguistic form, meaning, and usage More
than the study of the
ac0uisition of language, linguistics analy1es structure, sound
patterns, emergence of
language, evolution of language, and the e#ects of a linguistic
system upon culture
'ome linguistics departments are dedicated to preserving
endangered languages, such
as some =ative American tongues >sually pursued as a graduate
study, it is sometimes
o#ered as a dual major "ith psychology, anthropology, speech, or
speci(c foreign
languages
Education
&he plan of study consists of course "ork in areas
including syntax, semantics, analysis
of particular language groupings such as 5omance languages or
Asian languages, and
historical development of one or more of these groups !t
culminates in (eld studies and
independent research )lasses include phonology, comparative
linguistics, "riting
systems, language and culture, and sign language
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Linguistics&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Linguistics&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
31/63
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
• cryptanalyst
• document examiner
• editor
• la"yer
• librarian
2hilosophy
&he study of philosophy includes
systematic analysis of the principles underlying
human conduct, thought, and kno"ledge and the nature of the
universe &hese large-
issues are examined, (rst, in the light of "hat prior
philosophers have construed to be
the ans"ers and, second, by analy1ing "hat contemporary
philosophical thinkers
propose as their solutions 6ob prospects in academic philosophy
are not numerous, but
the major is an excellent preparation for many graduate programs
because of the
discipline of thinking that the major demands
Education
&he plan of study involves courses such as psychology,
history, anthropology,
epistemology, logic, ethics, the history of some philosophers,
and courses in
contemporary issues such as nuclear "ar, abortion, apartheid,
chemical "arfare, and
"hite collar crime )lasses may include introduction to ethics,
deductive and.or symbolic
logic, political philosophy, la" and morality, and the teachings
of Aristotle, ?ant, and
Marx
Possible careers
• clergy
• college professor
• diplomat
• education consultant
• freelance "riter
• la"yer
• management consultant
• military o9cer
• philosopher
• physician
•
scientist• social "orker
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=philosophy&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=philosophy&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=philosophy&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=philosophy&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
32/63
• Majors and Academics Home
• Articles
• Blog
• Ask the Experts
Social Sciences and Humanities Majors andPotential Jobs
by CollegeXpress and Terry Ward
Bookmark
Why do people act, dress, live like they do? From the cultures
that comprise
the world today to the ancient civilizations we can't seem to
learn enough
about, the social sciences and humanities allow you to explore
all that
separates humans from the other primates . . .
Anthropology
nthropology is the study of humans: their beginnings,
varied physical and cultural
characteristics, distribution, customs, and social relationships
!mportant areas of
concern "ithin the discipline include the evolution of human
beings, the development of
early cultures, and the diversity of cultural development among
peoples, as "ell as their
political systems, religious practices, and value systems
Anthropology as o#ered in four$
year undergraduate programs is often divided into subspecialties
such as physical
anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics %ther"ise,
anthropology may be
coupled "ith area studies majors such as African$American or
Asian studies
http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/ask-experts/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/CollegeXpress/http://www.collegexpress.com/authors/Terry%20Ward/http://www.collegexpress.com/reg/login?require=1&login_redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegexpress.com%2Farticles-and-advice%2Fmajors-and-academics%2Farticles%2Fchoosing-major%2Fsocial-sciences-and-humanities%2Fhttp://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Anthropology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
33/63
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith introductory courses in
the sophomore year, follo"ed by
intensive technical study that incorporates each of the
principal subdivisions mentioned
above 'tudents opt for a specialty in one of those areas through
the junior and senior
years, ending "ith (eld experiences, seminars in topics of
current importance, and
supervised independent research 'tudents interested in physical
anthropology "ill take
a more archaeological approach in their majors, "hile students
interested in social
anthropology "ill go more in the direction of sociology !t "ill
be important to choose one
direction or the other in the course of study )lasses include
cultural development,
biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, primate
behavior, cultural ecology,
religion *including indigenous faiths+, medical anthropology,
and (eld excursions to on$
site digs-
Possible careers
• archaeologist
• college professor
• consultant
• cultural anthropologist
• editor."riter
• geologist
• historian
•
linguistic anthropologist• museum curator
• park interpreter
• physical anthropologist
• oceanographer
• statistician
• travel agent.guide
Archaeology
rchaeology is most directly concerned "ith understanding
and explaining extinct
cultures and living societies through the excavation, analysis,
and interpretation of their
material remains By reconstructing the past, a picture is formed
of ho" and "hy human
cultures have developed /ata gathering and interpretation lie at
the heart of this (eld
&he archaeologist uses physical science technology
such as dating methods,
cartography, and geology
Education
&he program of study is sometimes included as a
concentration "ithin an anthropologymajor "ith a program in art or
art history A core curriculum of courses in classical
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Archaeology&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
34/63
archaeology, archaeological methods and observation techni0ues
leads to courses in
advanced methods, seminars on current topics, and directed
research )lasses include
archaeology of classical civili1ations, archaeological (eld
methods, statistics, computer
science for the archaeologist, forensic archaeology, and
2aleolithic cultures
Possible careers
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• archivist
• biologist
• college professor
• cultural resource management
• editor
• la"yer
• museum curator
• paleontologist
• park ranger
• research scientist
• teacher
• technical "riter
Art History
&his major consists of the study of art
history in all its various forms, from earliest times
to the present day !t emphasi1es the development of art
throughout human history
'tudents study the relationship of artistic expression to the
historical period "ithin "hich
it "as produced, as "ell as contemporary assessments of the
art"ork
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a strong foundation in
liberal arts, including courses in art
appreciation and history At the upper$division level, the
student is encouraged to focus
on one "orld region for more intensive study 'tudents have the
option to study more
than one geographical region or historical period to achieve
more breadth of expertise
An occasional program may o#er a concentration in art appraisal,
re0uiring courses such
as methodology of appraisal and other related subjects
3enerally, art history major
programs do not re0uire courses in the visual arts, but many
students choose to take
some courses in that area, out of personal preference 'tudents
focusing on one
geographic area are "ell advised to be at least conversant in
the language of the region
and to consider study abroad programs
Possible careers
• art appraiser
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=art+history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
35/63
• art critic
• art historian
• art restorer
• artist
• cartoonist
• college professor
• commercial artist
• gallery o"ner
• museum curator
• sales representative
• teacher
3eography
!eography is the interdisciplinary study of the
topographic, climatic, and geological
features of the landmasses of the earth and ho" people interact
"ith them 3iven
current concerns about exploitation of natural resources and
climatic development,
geography has great relevance in several areas today, including
oil exploration and
environmental and pollution control
Education
&he plan of study is career$oriented )ourse "ork is
available in regional geography,geographic methods and techni0ues,
or systematic geography &his major has expanded
its focus to accommodate the needs of regional, state, and
federal governments and
private and public organi1ations that conduct global research
)olleges o#ering
geography as a pure major often have dual major programs, such
as
geography.economics, geography.regional science, or
geography.regional.urban
planning 4ield "ork can be an expected )lasses include
meteorology, applied
mathematics, statistics, basic cartography, transportation
systems, and urban models
Possible careers
• cartographer
• city manager
• college professor
• community planner
• economic geographer
• economist
• environmental manager
• forestry technician
• general geographer
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Geography&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
36/63
• hydrologist
• la"yer
• outdoor guide
• park ranger
• physical geographer
• planning engineer
• political geographer
• political scientist
• site selection analyst
• sociologist
• soil conservation
• systems analyst
• "eather forecaster
History
&hrough the use of secondary and primary documents and
other artifacts, students gain
an active appreciation of the past in order to better understand
present events and
conditions !n studying history, the student develops the
ability to think critically,
evaluate evidence objectively, and express kno"ledge clearly and
forcefully to others
&he career possibilities for history majors are not
especially plentiful for those students
interested in teaching on the college level, but there are many
other avenues that ahistory major may explore, making it among the
most popular college major programs
Education
&he plan of study begins "ith a (rm grounding in
"ritten English skills and courses in the
humanities and the social sciences, such as anthropology,
political science, psychology,
and sociology At the upper$division level, students may
speciali1e in the history of an
area *eg, America, Europe, or Asia+ or in a period of history
*eg, the 3reco$5oman era,
the American 5evolution, or sixteenth$century 6apan+ Extensive
independent research is
re0uired, often culminating "ith a long senior project of the
student7s choosing )lasses
include historical analysis, political science, anthropology,
and sociology
Possible careers
• archivist
• college professor
• editor
• historian
• intelligence analyst
• journalist
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=history&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
37/63
• la"yer
• librarian
• museum curator
• political scientist
• reporter
• research historian
• secondary school teacher
!nternational 5elations
"nternational relations is the study of the interactions of
nations "ith one another and
the use of political po"er and diplomacy to accomplish national
goals &he study is an
interdisciplinary one, examining legal systems, political
structures, the e#ects of
geography and population si1e, access to minerals and ra"
materials for production, andeconomic forces that a#ect the "ay
nations behave to"ard one another &he major can
lead to an academic career, or one in government or business
Education
&he plan of study o#ers students a choice of
concentrations "ithin the major )olleges
o#ering this study as a true major may include courses in
comparative politics,
international economics, international a#airs, diplomacy, and
diplomatic history &he
study also may be o#ered as a minor in conjunction "ith such
programs as area studies,
economics, or political science 'tudents in this program of
study should ac0uire amastery of at least one foreign language
'tudy abroad is not re0uired, but is highly
recommended )lasses include comparative politics, international
la", legal systems of
East and 8est, diplomatic history, natural resources, and
politics
Possible careers
• )!A analyst
• college professor
• congressional committee sta# "ork
• editor
• foreign service o9cer
• freelance "riter
• intelligence analyst
• international diplomat
• international la"yer
• language translator
• management consultant
• military o9cer
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=International+relations&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
38/63
• political analyst
• political scientist
iberal arts
#iberal arts is a (eld of study intended to provide the
student "ith a broad general
educational background, rather than a speciali1ed program or
some form of vocational
training &he major is a useful preparation for graduate or
professional study in la",
education, the sciences, or medicine &his is also an
appropriate major for students "ho
are undecided- or "ant to use their undergraduate years to
improve their academic
skills 'tudents should check college catalogs carefully,
especially if interested in
attending a liberal arts college, because many of them do not
o#er this general major
Education
&he plan of study includes re0uirements in a variety
of departments, starting "ith English
and including mathematics, history, non$laboratory science,
language study, and the (ne
and visual arts 'tudents "ill speciali1e in one area as they
move through major
re0uirements More than most majors, students "ill "ant to "ork
closely "ith faculty
advisor to tailor programs to meet their goals, as there is a
fair amount of ;exibility
Possible careers
• accountant
• clergy
• college professor
• entertainer
• entrepreneur
• freelance "riter
• government "orker
• la"yer
• military o9cer
• print or media journalist
• teacher
ibrary 'cience
#ibrary science is the skill of organi1ing libraries so
their contents may be fully utili1ed
8hether small one$person sites or large fully sta#ed urban,
university, or speciali1ed
libraries, they are universally organi1ed according to one of
three prevailing systems &he
use of computers for all aspects of library management is common
place< therefore, the
aspiring librarian must have strong computer skills
http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Liberal+arts&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=http://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/search?q=Library+science&gpa=&sat_composite=&enrollment_level=
-
8/19/2019 Social Sciences and Humanities Majors and Potential
Jobs
39/63
Education
5elatively fe" colleges o#er library science as an undergraduate
major &he plan of study
consists of a liberal arts core, including psychology, history,
mathematics, and science at
the upper$division level< the major program involves in$depth
study of each of the three
organi1ational systems, as "ell as library management, public
relations, (nance and
budgeting, and management ibrary science is more often pursues
as a graduate study
leading to the master of library science *M'+ degree )lasses
include psychology,
library organi1ation and management, book and periodical
cataloguing, storytelling, and
speciali1ed libraries
Possible careers
• ac0uisition librarian
• bibliographer
• college professor
• encyclopedia researcher
• information scientist
• media specialist
• museum curator
• proo
