Anthropology & Earth Science

Anthropology and Earth Science Department
King Hall 103, (218) 477-4217
Chair: Karl Leonard
Faculty: Amanda Butler, Erik Gooding, Karl Leonard, Paul Sando

Anthropology
The Anthropology major provides students with an opportunity to understand people in different cultures, places, and times. Students are introduced to the vast range of human cultures, and to the relationship between human beings, their culture, and their environment. At Minnesota State University Moorhead, the major includes an introduction to the four sub-fields of anthropology - cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics, along with a menu of specialized courses in cultural anthropology and archaeology. The major includes two emphases, or tracks. One is in archaeology, for students wishing to focus on the study of ancient cultures; and the other is in cultural anthropology, for those students interested in the study of contemporary cultures from a cross-cultural and global perspective. 

A minor in anthropology is also offered. The minor is comprised of the three introductory courses - Anthropology 110, 115, and 120 - one upper-level archaeology course, one upper-level cultural anthropology course, and two upper-level anthropology electives.

There are specialized learning experiences in the form of field and laboratory courses in archaeology, specialized training in geophysical prospection, cultural tours and field schools in ethnography. The field experiences are offered in summer sessions.

Geosciences
The Geosciences major provides students with an opportunity to understand the earth, including processes that have shaped its past and those that will shape its future, and the relationships among place, landscape, climate, culture, economy, and people. Students can choose the Geosciences degree with the geoarchaeology emphasis; Environmental Geology; or Environmental and Human Geography.

Geology is for those students interested in understanding how the earth works presently and what has happened in earth's ancient past. Students who choose this track will focus on our environment and its processes, stories of earth's past, and the formation and extraction of natural resources of the earth.

Geoarchaeology is for those students interested in understanding what geological evidence and reasoning reveal about past human cultures and activities on earth. Students who choose this track will focus on the geological, chemical, biological, and physical methods for interpreting artifacts, sediments, and environments important in understanding our human past.

Environmental and human geography is for those students interested in understanding the relationships among place, people, and environment. Specifically, this emphasis focuses on understanding why things occur where they do. Students who choose this track will focus on understanding the distribution of climate, cultures, and landscapes on earth, the reason for those distributions, and the way these interact with and affect humans and our economies. In addition, students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in the application of Geographic Information Science (GIS) to solve spatial problems related to the real world.

There are several minor options: cultural ecology, environmental geography, environmental geology, and geosciences.

The Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences provides a focused area of study and basic competency in the theory, technology, and application of Geographic Information Science. Upon completion of the GIS certificate, students will have a broad understanding of the foundations of GIS and spatial analysis, and know how to apply that knowledge to solve spatial problems. In addition to serving our current student population, the certificate program is also intended to serve recent or returning graduates who wish to acquire specialized training to meet current market demands for GIS professionals.

The Certificate in Water Quality Science provides foundational science concepts and practical experience for addressing problems and solutions in a wide variety of water-related fields of work, including work with drinking water, wastewater, aquatic waters, ground water, surface hydrology, landfills, mining, and other environmental work. Note: This program addresses interdisciplinary science concepts important in a wide range of water-related jobs and should not be confused with government or industry-specific "water quality certifications" that address particular techniques and technologies within a narrower part of the water industry.

The Earth Science Education major is for those students interested in teaching earth science in grades 9-12, and meets the requirements for licensure in science (grades 5-8). Our Earth Science Education program is particularly strong in providing in-depth coverage of the wide range of earth Science subjects needed for Minnesota licensure, including physical geology, historical geology, meteorology, astronomy and planetary science, oceanography and interaction of people with the land.

Sustainability
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainability is an excellent degree to prepare for emerging jobs in the green economy while striving to make the world a better place for future generations. MSUM’s sustainability program is one of only a few universities in the country to focus on the entire spectrum of socio-environmental sustainability. The focus on sustainability within our societies crosses multiple disciplines with the shared goal of preserving and promoting a healthy planet; adding a second major or minor is encouraged and can often be achieved within 120 total credits. There are suggested tracks available through advising to pursue sustainability applications within environmental science, operations management, business, public policy, construction management, energy science and geographic information systems.

The Sustainability program is designed to give students an understanding of the need for long- term sustainable practices in our lifestyles and economy.  As more and more companies adopt practices to decrease operating costs while also reducing their impact on the environment, they hire sustainability coordinators to manage these tasks. The future outlook for these positions looks bright as companies seek to maintain strong commitments to the environment and employ strategies to increase their economic competitiveness. Green jobs involve all aspects of employment in renewable energy or sustainability efforts. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, green jobs are either:

• jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.
• jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources.

The number of industries that offer green employment opportunities are diverse and job titles do not always contain "sustainability". Green jobs offer wages that run approximately 13% higher than the average job in the US, with green energy jobs running 20% higher (US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2017).

Minor in Sustainability
The sustainability minor is an excellent addition to any major. It has an interdisciplinary focus with the shared goal of understanding, preserving and promoting a healthy planet. MSUM is one of only a few universities in the country to approach sustainability across the curriculum.