The field also has significant applications to practical problems, both in this country and elsewhere. Theoretical, descriptive, and practical aspects of anthropology are represented among the department's faculty and courses. Students majoring in anthropology develop an appreciation for the anthropological view of social life - an understanding of how other peoples organize their social experience, of the variety of economic, political, and cosmological principles by which humans characterize and arrange their societies. Courses expose students to the fundamental concepts of the discipline, familiarize them with ethnographic studies in particular geographical areas, and engage them in original research that may be on campus, in the community, or in a foreign country. Area courses focus on Japan, Africa, and Latin America.
Students can experience ethnographic research by conducting local field projects.
Anthropology students also can study abroad in a variety of programs, some of which incorporate brief field projects, such as those offered by the School for International Training. Among their eight courses, majors are asked to take an introductory course, at least two topical courses, one area course, and a capstone seminar. They also may choose to include one sociology course. In keeping with the far-ranging subject matter of anthropology, all faculty members are well traveled and have a wide range of research interests. Two have done research in Africa, one in Japan, and one in Latin America.