Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology offers an A.B. in Anthropology, as well as a minor in Anthropology.

Anthropology emerged as a discipline during the 19th century that asked questions aimed at investigating the intricacies of societies and cultures across human history. In order to do this, anthropology developed in North America brings together concerns from the social sciences and humanities as well as the biological and physical sciences. This “four-field” approach began as the study of ‘distant’ and ‘exotic’ cultures and peoples; however, over the course of the 20th century anthropologists turned their investigations to people, practices, and institutions across the globe. By immersing themselves in the daily lives of people, by participating in and closely observing and listening to the lives and practices of others, anthropology has developed into a critical approach to appreciating difference no matter how far or near it might occur. Anthropology has studied and debated issues of race, ethnicity, language, religion, economics, kinship, power, class, gender, and sexuality. In more recent times, it has also come to embrace the study and critique of modern institutions like medicine, science, politics, trade, and law.

Writing in the Major

Writing in the anthropology major is a central tool for communicating and producing knowledge about “local” realities and everyday experiences. In our program, students learn to be attuned to cultural and social nuances around the world by also being attentive to their own roles as researchers and writers, insiders and outsiders, and observers of socio-cultural questions drawing on their own experiences and positions in society.

Ethnographic writing involves immersing oneself in the research context to gain a first-hand sense of how local knowledge is put to work in grappling with practical and philosophical problems. Our students learn the skills of qualitative research by reading classic and contemporary ethnographies and learning how to use methods that are gathered under the heading of “participant observation”: writing field notes, interviewing participants, developing maps of kinship and social relations, maps of the built environment, linguistic and discourse analysis, media analysis, reflective writing about advocacy projects in which students are engaged, and hands-on work with art and music.

Our majors and minors are required to design and carry out their own research projects in the fieldwork methods core class. This course gives the students a chance to get a firsthand experience of crafting a research proposal, to design and apply methods, and to gather and interpret their findings. In addition to learning the tools of ethnographic writing, students also typically write reading reflections, précis of significant readings, as well as full research papers that draw on their ethnographic field research.

Major in Anthropology

The major in Anthropology requires four core and six elective courses. Only the introductory course (ANTH-1001) may be transferred from another institution; the other three core courses must be taken at Georgetown. At least three of the six electives must be taken at Georgetown, either from elective offerings in Anthropology or cross-listed courses taught by anthropologists in other departments or programs. Questions about courses not cross-listed with Anthropology should be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. A maximum of three electives may be transferred from coursework taken abroad. Core courses are:

  • ANTH-1001 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
  • ANTH-3320 The Ethnographic Imagination
  • ANTH-3358 Doing Anthropological Fieldwork
  • ANTH-4495 Anthropological Theory

The major requires six electives, chosen from the listings in Anthropology, numbered 1100-4499. For lists of current and historical offerings, consult the department website.

Senior Honors Thesis

The senior honors thesis is optional. Anthropology majors may apply by the end of the spring semester of junior year to undertake a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty mentor. Consult the department website for procedures.

Scott MacPherson Stapleton Award

Awarded annually in April, the Stapleton Award is given to Anthropology majors or minors who expect to conduct independent research, do an unpaid internship, or gain other professional experience related to the social and cultural concerns of Anthropology. The award is named for Scott Stapleton, a student of anthropology who graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 2005. The Award seeks to keep alive the drive and passion to make a difference in the world that Scott embodied in his work and life. For more information about the Award, please refer to the Department website.

Minor in Anthropology

The minor in anthropology requires three core courses and three electives. Only the introductory course (ANTH-1001) may be transferred from another institution; the other two core courses in the minor must be taken at Georgetown. All electives must either originate in Anthropology or be taught by an anthropologist in another Georgetown department with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Minors may transfer a maximum of two electives from coursework taken abroad. For course listings for Anthropology see the Schedule of Classes.