Anthropology is the study of people, both ancient and contemporary, in their biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic context. Anthropology uses a holistic approach to integrate findings from the social sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. The primary educational mission of the Department of Anthropology is teaching, research, and professional service to impart the critical importance of understanding the human condition and its relevancy to an increasingly diverse world.

To accomplish this task, the Department of Anthropology provides a curriculum that will help students understand and appreciate the range of human cultures as well as the significance of biological evolution of the human condition. Through our undergraduate and graduate programs students not only achieve a broad cross-cultural education, but prepare to apply their anthropological knowledge in their chosen career paths.