Academics
Anthropology is a holistic science dedicated to the study of human cultural and biological diversity. Its four sub-fields are: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology.
Anthropologists study cultural beliefs and practices, in terms of their cultural specificity and through cross-cultural comparison. Anthropologists investigate human variation and its biological basis by exploring modern human adaptations, our non- human primate relatives and the fossil evidence for human evolution. Anthropologists also examine the relationships between language and culture, and through the discovery of archaeological artifacts, interpret the development of cultures from their earliest origins to the present.
At Humboldt, students acquire a solid foundation in anthropology and are well prepared to enter and succeed in advanced degree programs. Our department emphasizes critical examination of cultures and societies and their ethnographic representations.
Our theoretical and topical concerns include:
- The Development of Contemporary Anthropological Theory
- Primatology
- Colonization and Post-colonial Reality
- Biological Evolution
- Diaspora Islam
- Forensic Anthropology
- Ritual and Religion
- Paleoanthropology
- Ideology and Sociocultural Change
- Cultural Ecology
- Expressive Culture
- Evolutionary Medicine
- Gender and Sexuality
- Native American Languages
- Archaeology of North America
- Developmental Anthropology
In the discipline of physical anthropology, the underlying theoretical framework of evolution provides the basis for study of non-human primate behavior and ecology, human biology, and paleoanthropology. Forensic anthropology is also offered within physical anthropology.
The regional areas we cover include
- Asia (China, Japan, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka)
- Africa
- Oceania (Australia and the Pacific)
- North America
- Latin America
Students at Humboldt have an opportunity to make international or applied experience an integral part of their anthropology undergraduate degree. Many students have spent time at universities in China (learning the language and culture or taking courses in archaeology) or on international exchange or independent study programs. Students can receive up to 9 units of Anthropology major credit for one semester of international study or 12 total for 2 semesters.
At Humboldt, archaeology students have the opportunity to participate in local surveys and excavations, through our Cultural Resources Archaeology Facility. We will also help students identify courses they may use to satisfy GE requirements with international study. Faculty are developing additional opportunities for international experience. Our students acquire a broad understanding of human nature and society and are encouraged to complete related courses in other disciplines. An anthropology degree gives students analytic and research skills that provide an ideal basis for employment in any field of international or national public service or community relations.