Anthropology

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

Program Description

Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present.  Anthropologists take a broad approach to understanding the varieties of human experience, which uniquely places us at the juxtaposition of the social sciences, natural sciences and the humanities. Anthropology is traditionally organized into four subfields that offer distinctive skills. 

Cultural and Social Anthropology deals with the social lives of people around the world, including our own society: economic systems, legal practices, kinship, religions, medical practices, folklore, arts and political systems, as well as the interrelationship of these systems in environmental adaptation and social change. Anthropological Linguistics deals with varied aspects of human language and the characteristics of nonhuman communication systems, to achieve an understanding of past and present human language systems and their significance in social life.

Biological Anthropology is a biological science that deals with adaptations, variability and evolution of humans, and our living and fossil relatives. It is also a social science because biological anthropologists study human biology within the context of culture and behavior. Simply put, they study humans from a biocultural perspective across space and time. Physical Anthropology describes and compares world human biology. Focuses on humans and their primate order, and seeks to document and understand the interplay of culture and biology in the course of human evolution and adaptation.

Archaeology focuses on the material remains of human societies from the remote and recent past with emphasis on reconstructing and understanding past modes of human cultural adaptation and change.

While maintaining exposure to these four subfields, the Anthropology program allows students to sharpen their skills in specific domains of anthropological thought and practice. Students may choose from three concentrations that share a common foundation.

  • Archaeology and Biological Anthropology (ABA): emphasizes a scientific approach to anthropology.  Studying diverse topics including; evolutionary processes, human variation, ecology, skeletal analysis and zoo-archaeology, it prepares students for careers in the anthropological sciences in both the public and private sectors, such as cultural resources management, forensic science; collections management, and advanced graduate studies in anthropological sciences or related disciplines.
  • Culture, Language and Society (CLS): introduces students to knowledge and skills necessary for a nuanced understanding and engagement with the world we live in.  It prepares students for graduate studies in socio-cultural and linguistic anthropology, professional careers in government, business, law, healthcare and any contexts that require attention to cultural, social and linguistic dynamics
  • General Anthropology (GA): constitutes a solid liberal arts foundation that prepares students for careers and graduate studies in fields that call for a broad exposure to anthropological knowledge.  Students, under the guidance of a faculty advisor, can also choose to customize a program of study to pursue individualized academic or professional interests.

Degree Programs

BA in Anthropology (General Anthropology)

BA in Anthropology (Archaeology and Biological Anthropology)

BA in Anthropology (Culture, Language and Society)

Minor in Anthropology

MA in Anthropology

Special Features

  • Diverse faculty who are widely published and enjoy national repute in their specializations.
  • Regular activities include Faculty Colloquia, the Sacramento Anthropological Society sponsored brown bag discussions and annual symposium.
  • Extensive ethnographic and archaeological collections, housed in the Museum of Anthropology and the Archaeological Curation Facility, afford students opportunities to learn all phases of museum and collections management work. The Department exhibit hall displays an excellent collection of museum artifacts.
  • The Department maintains a computer lab, as well as several computer stations in the Archaeology lab.
  • Course related fieldwork in California and the Great Basin and archaeological laboratory opportunities are offered through internships at the Archaeological Research Center (ARC) and the Archaeological Curation Facility (ACF). Paid fieldwork and laboratory opportunities may also be available for qualified students through the ARC and ACF.
  • Professional journals and the updated Human Relations Area File are housed in the University Library.

Career Possibilities

Anthropology equips students with the necessary knowledge to engage with the political, economic, cultural, and social complexities of the world. In addition to providing students analytical and critical thinking skills, anthropology exposes students to the intersection of culture, biology, and history on peoples’ lived experiences. Majoring in Anthropology provides students a solid foundation for advanced studies in diverse fields such as anthropology, business, cultural resources management, law, journalism, medicine, communication, social work, urban studies, public policy, informatics, and any other profession that calls for the sustained engagement with cultural diversity, critical thinking, analytical abilities and people skills. Given the training they receive, anthropologists are increasing sought by the business world, government agencies and non-government organizations. Traditionally Anthropology majors have pursued careers in primary and secondary teaching; consumer market research; human resource development; local, state, and federal governmental agencies; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); archaeological field or laboratory technicians; forensic analysis, community development organizations; trade union organizations and allied fields. The globalized world economy has expanded this horizon to include career opportunities in communication, health care, entertainment, information technology, consumer product development, etc.

Contact Information

Raghuraman Trichur, Department Chair
Ana Gutierrez, Administrative Support Coordinator
Mendocino Hall 4010
(916) 278-6452
www.csus.edu/anth

Faculty

BARATA, DATA

BERREY, ADAM C.

CASTANEDA, TERRI

DELACORTE, MICHAEL G.

FISHER, JACOB

FLAMEMBAUM, RACHEL

HENS, SAMANTHA

MURPHY, LIAM

RASCHIG, MEGAN

SCARRY, CLARA

SINGH, NANDINI

STEVENS, NATHAN E.

SULLIVAN, ROGER

TRICHUR, RAGHURAMAN

WALKER, MICHAEL M.

ZEANAH, DAVID W.