Anthropology
Anthropology is dedicated to studying the biological, cultural, linguistic, and archaeological aspects of what it means to be human. Whether in our own neighborhoods or on the other side of the globe, the forces shaping our societies are in constant flux; the Anthropology Department’s approaches to teaching must respond to those complex changes, going beyond the boundaries of traditional scholarship while remaining committed to the comparative and holistic perspectives that make anthropology unique among the social sciences. Anthropologists in the department have crafted reciprocal collaborations with community partners for the purpose of training students in the many facets of ethnographic and archaeological research while demonstrating how anthropology offers value to contemporary societies.
A rich selection of regular anthropology course offerings are imbued with the research strengths of Connecticut College anthropology faculty, including modern material culture studies, experimental archaeology, migration, social movements, language revitalization, social constructions of gender and race, sustainable food systems, human ecology, religion, and images of race and “otherness” in art. Students majoring in Anthropology have the option to design a path of study that satisfies a Concentration in Archaeology or Food Studies.
All Anthropology majors and minors are encouraged to enrich their growing anthropological knowledge by participating in study away, local engagement, and internship programs. These opportunities offer students an opportunity to better understand that people live and experience the world in different ways, whether this is through navigating a foreign university system or buying groceries at a local market. Scaffolded by a rigorous pre-departure preparatory seminar, this exposure to different ways of living and imagining the world helps build empathy and an openness to cultural diversity. Students studying away will experience firsthand the ways in which everyday life and routine is mediated by local politics, economics, customs and religion. They also have a unique opportunity to reflect on their own identities and the identities of others in regard to nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, class, and religious beliefs. In the process, students will develop language skills and solidify their understanding of the relationships between language and culture. Ultimately, students will learn to adjust and adapt to new situations, environments and systems - skills and resourcefulness that will be useful throughout their lives.
Professors: Benoît, Cole, Steiner, Uddin; Associate Professors: Bennett, Black (chair), Graesch
Associated Faculty: Professor: Roberts (Dance); Associate Professor: Wilson (Music); Assistant Professor: Takamori ( East Asian Languages and Cultures); Senior Lecturer: Ivanov (Slavic Studies)
Affiliated Faculty: Professor: Lizarralde (Botany)