Before you graduate college, you have to take an anthropology course; this is non-negotiable.

You might ask, “Anthropologie? Like the store? Why would I take a class about that?” And you would be close, except this anthropology ends in a “y” and involves a lot less shopping.

Let me break it down for you. Anyone who has taken high school biology may already know the fact that “anthro” is a Greek-derived prefix meaning “human” and, of course, “-ology” means “study of”. Anthropology is literally “the study of humans” — studying who we are and how we got there.

Though that is quite a broad topic, the sheer magnitude of its scale is part of what makes anthropology so widely beneficial to every student. But, if that scope is too daunting, anthropology is also conveniently broken into four main subfields that, less conveniently, each have about a hundred different names. The names you’ll find here at Vanderbilt are as follows:

Cultural Anthropology, which focuses on…culture.

Biological Anthropology, which focuses on variations in human biology, adaptation and evolution.

Linguistic Anthropology, which focuses on how language shapes culture and vice versa.

And, indeed, Archaeology. Yes, your childhood dreams of becoming Indiana Jones can be fulfilled here, although hopefully with a bit more respect to the artifacts (see: Indiana Jones ripping a burial cloth to use as a torch — come on man!).

But adolescent aspirations aside, why anthropology? 

Human beings cannot be separated from culture. Everything is deeply entrenched in culture: from the world around us and its larger social systems to the people with whom you interact daily. No matter what you do post-graduation or what field you choose to go into, to some degree you are going to interact with people. Anthropology classes give students the room to ask “why,” resulting in the gain of a much broader perspective on people and the systems around us. Why do the people around you behave the way they do? Why might they be resistant to certain behaviors or outreach? When you start to learn more about the “why,” you can better figure out the “how.” How can you show up for them? How can you meet them where they are?

An anthropology course could be especially useful for the large sub-section of students at Vanderbilt hoping to pursue a career in medicine. Senior Principal Lecturer of Anthropology and Climate and Environmental Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Jacob Sauer shines a light on the critical thinking skills anthropology can give to such students. 

“For those going into medicine, [you can understand] where people come from. Why do they choose not to take the medicine? Why do they live the way that they do? [You are able to] really think about it deeply and be critical about these things,” Sauer said.

Don’t want to go into medicine? Well, for those going into marketing, you can understand the demographics you are appealing to. For those going into engineering, you can understand the needs of the audience that will be using your products. For those going into architecture, you can understand how to craft structures to suit those who will interact with them. Anthropology branches into just about every career. Just ask the current governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, who majored in Anthropology and Political Science at Vanderbilt.

“Studying anthropology taught me the importance of trying to understand where other people are coming from and trying to establish good communication with people who may come from a very different place, but that you may have more in common with than you initially believed,” Beshear said in an interview with Vanderbilt Magazine.

Anthropology can support a vast number of different careers because it teaches not just a subject but an entire perspective. This subject does not just make you a better student or a better worker — it helps make you into a better and more aware person.

Sauer explains that anthropology encourages people to challenge their preconceived notions about the world. This test results in them often viewing the people with whom they interact from a broader perspective, deeply impacting the work they can facilitate. 

“I know this because I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it so many times for those students [whose eyes] completely opened in different ways, and it’s not that they change who they are. It’s not that they stop being a political scientist or they stop being an engineer, but now they are a much more effective engineer. Now they’re a much more effective human being,” Sauer said.

I’ve also come to understand this concept because I’ve experienced it. When I first started college, I entered with a major in film. When an academic advisor spoke with me and recommended I add an anthropology minor, I said I didn’t think the addition was necessary. Now, three years later, I’m an anthropology major. I have fallen head over heels for the subject.

Still not convinced? Well, many anthropology classes at Vanderbilt also fulfill general education credits. Feeling rusty on your mathematics? Instead, you can take Introduction to Biological Anthropology. Not sure what to take for your U.S. History class requirement? Take classes like Food Politics in America. Need a writing class? There are multiple available. Anthropology also offers classes which fill requirements in Perspectives, International Cultures, Humanities and the Creative Arts and more for AXLE, as well as classes which fill Capacity A, B, C and E tags for College Core.

If you feel like it’s too late to answer the calling, don’t. Most people first find out about anthropology in college. Even most people who graduate with degrees in anthropology don’t find out about anthropology until they enter university. 

Even if you decide against enrolling in a course, there are always weekly anthropology department hangouts called Mateando Mondays. Whatever way you choose to engage with anthropology, whether that be through a hangout or to fill a requirement, you will walk away with a fuller perspective on the world and as a fuller person because of it.