Should I do Anthropology for a Masters? Advice welcome :)

[Samuel1988]

Afternoon all (from London, UK),

 

First post to this forum.

 

I am thinking of possibly doing anthropology for a masters degree but the trouble is I have never studied it at school and I studied conservation biology at university (I got a first - not sure what you call it over the 'pond').

 

I was just wondering if this would hinder me?

 

Also, this would be a big commitment and, although I am interested in the subject, I am kind of jumping in the deep end.

 

I have always been interested in people, particularly related to ancient civilisations and agriculture.

 

I was just wondering if there are any good books which would give me an 'all round' overview of anthropology and any books related to agriculture would be a bonus.

 

Many thanks,

 

Samuel

[rising_star]

I guess I'm not sure why you want to get a master's. It's not super valuable in terms of employment opportunities, at least not in the US. If you're just super interested in people, you could read anthropology on your own and participate in MOOCs.

[bellabean]

Yes- most programs these days are requiring some masters work even though they never admit it - It's great to get some of the coursework done and help you to define your thesis- I believe a masters is required in the UK anyhow.  

[anthropologygeek]

A masters is required at my school.

[Platysaurus]

That isn't universal - of my cohort of 9 maybe 3 have masters degrees

[WhiteSage]

Funding may be better for PhDs, at least this is the status quo here across the pond. Anthropology does welcome other majors but you'll have to read, read and read to come up with a coherent focus. What is that you want to study about ancient civilizations? How does it relate to your previous coursework? If you have access to library materials begin by searching for an agricultural studies journals, contact former professors to see if they can give you any directions, and Google away. Don't hesitate to email professors that you find through journal articles. These may be the most helpful.

[mutualist007]

Read a lot or take a few courses as a post-bacc first. I agree though; the Master's in Anthropology on its own is not really that valuable in the US. Only do it if you have the following:

1) - Spare time.

2) - You receive funding. Funding will make it worth it and then you can use the Master's to build your background and focus.

[NoSleepTilBreuckelen]

Hi Samuel,

 

You ask if a Masters in Anthro would hinder your carer, and while I don't know what your career goals are, I don't think it would hinder you at all. If you were to focus the research you do during your Masters on something that articulates with biology (e.g. early agriculture, long-term human/environment interaction, or an anthropological look at conservation biology), you'd be in a position to apply to PhD programs or jobs in either Biology or Anthropology when you finished. You'd just have to be prepared to show how your Masters builds upon your undergrad, e.g. "my interest in conservation biology and the role of responsible farming practices lead to me do my masters research on land use and early agriculture in (wherever), etc."

 

Check out articles and books by Martin Jones, Kaushik Rajan, Kat Anderson, and Lee Lyman to get an idea some hybid bio-anthro work that's going on.

[strudelle]

Many of my anthropology professors (and others in the field whose resumes I have seen) have undergraduate degrees in biology or related natural sciences.  For the most part, these people tend to go into physical anthropology - but if you are interested in a more cultural or archaeological perspective (which I'm assuming you are as you mentioned agriculture and past peoples), this can easily be combined with biology as well - especially conservation biology.  

 

As many other people mentioned, just do a lot of reading and find out where your interests lie in anthropology.  There are a lot of options and directions you could take.   

[mutualist007]

Reading is very important because it will expose you to new ideas and help you refine your interests. Being able to articulate your interests and make a case for 'fit' will be key in your applications. 

 

You seem well suited for paleoethnobotany, environmental anthropology, archaeology with a past environment ecological focus, or biological anthropology. Not sure if those translate to EU schools.