Anthropology
Study people of the past and present in cultural, biological, and material contexts.
Anthropology, the study of human variation across time and space, cultivates a holistic and critical approach to understanding our world. Here, our undergraduate and graduate students get their hands dirty—whether by learning how to build a Native American birch bark canoe, excavating a historic site, or collaborating with community organizations for social justice across the Pioneer Valley and beyond.
Our flexible program allows you to design your own focus through our range of courses in archaeology; bio-archaeology; and socio-cultural, linguistic, and biological anthropology. We also offer special interdisciplinary tracks in Health and the Body; Native American and Indigenous Studies; and Inequality, Race, and Social Justice.
In addition to the many internships and research opportunities available through the department, anthropology majors are supported with courses designed to help them prepare for life after college. Along with the SBS Career Center, our resources will help guide you toward your post-graduation goals.
Explore our programs
Benefits list
Medical Anthropology & Global Health
One of the four concentrations within the major, medical anthropology and global health focuses on the interrelationship of culture, society, health, and the body in a global context. This is a great option for those interested in healthcare-related fields or pre-med/pre-health students.
Evolutionary Anthropology
Students within this concentration examine how evolutionary processes have shaped both human and non-human primate species, gaining expertise in primatology, bioarchaeology, biology, human evolution, and modern human variation.
Archaeology and Cultural History
Students within this concentration learn to examine and interpret the range of human experience through material culture, while considering how we can protect and care for cultural sites. Attention is given to community-based approaches and hands-on experiences.
Cultural Anthropology
In this concentration, students learn about culture as a concept, explore cultural differences across time and space, and explore the relationship between culture and power. Students have the opportunity to engage with ongoing research, community development initiatives, and other hands-on programs.
In the news
Quotes and Mentions - March 27, 2024
A summary of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences faculty, staff, and students quoted or mentioned in the news.
Sonya Atalay Delivers 10th Annual Daffodil Lecture
Sonya Atalay, anthropology and director of the newly-founded Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS), discussed the center's work.
Godfrey Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
Laura Godfrey, professor emerita in the Department of Anthropology, has received the 2024 Charles R. Darwin Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anthropology
The anthropology major offers flexibility through courses in archaeology; bio-archaeology; and socio-cultural, linguistic, and biological anthropology.