Department of Anthropology

Why Anthropology?

Anthropologists ask the question “What does it mean to be human/” Culture is the central concept of our discipline and anthropologists have used it for a more than a century to understand the diversity of the human experience. Anthropologists study evolution and the biological bases for human behavior. We compare societies, from small groups of foragers to complex civilizations. Anthropological skills, knowledge, and insights are essential for addressing a variety of social problems and preparing to live in a culturally diverse world.

Why Anthropology at San José State?

• You will receive personal attention.
  Our department is a small one in which students are treated as individuals, not as anonymous faces in the crowd. Graduating students rate their interaction with the faculty as excellent.
• You will learn important skills.
  We produce graduates with indispensable skills for today's job market. These include how to deal with cultural diversity, how to access and synthesize data, interview people, observe behavior, and write cogent reports. Anthropology is excellent preparation for careers that involve working closely with people; for professions such as law, business, education, cultural resource management, and health care; and for many graduate programs. Our students have been placed in top graduate programs.
• You will receive excellent advising.
  Advising is made easy for students. The permanent faculty advise during their regular office hours so you do not need a special appointment, nor are you assigned an advisor: Drop in and speak with the professor of your choice. Major forms are designed to make requirements clear, and to provide a convenient checklist of your progress in the program.
• We offer diverse and flexible programs of study.
  The department allows students to follow their own interests. Faculty-run projects in archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and Silicon Valley cultures offer you unusual opportunities to participate in team proj ects and gain practical experience in using anthropological skills.
• Our facuIty is outstanding.
  The department combines high quality teaching with significant scholarship. Our professors have been recognized by the Teacher-Scholar Program and the University Outstanding Professor Award. The faculty has published on folk medicine and science, gender, high tech companies, historical archaeology, refugees, leadership, and human osteology. They have been recognized by the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Fulbright Program, Kellogg Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and American Book Award. And, they share their scholarship in the classroom.
• We offer predictability.
  We have established a rotation of courses five years in advance so that students can best plan their schedules. We stick with this rotation, except when budget constraints prevent us from doing so.
• You will have opportunities to meet interesting students.
  Our students represent many nationality and ethnic groups. The Anthropology and Behavioral Science Club offers opportunities to participate in a variety of activities and excursions. The Department holds a special commencement ceremony for graduates, their families, loved ones, and friends.