Topical Foci
Archaeology
Historical Archaeology, Bioarcheology and Maritime Archaeology
We focus on historical archaeology and bioarchaeology and teach a wide range of courses covering early humans through the recent past, archaeological method and theory, material analysis, and field archaeology. The historical archaeology emphasis within Maxwell draws upon our strengths in social and cultural anthropology as well as from history and geography. We offer hands-on opportunities in our classes and involve students in field programs in New York and the Caribbean. Teaching and research is facilitated by our new suite of archaeology and bioarchaeology Laboratories in Lyman Hall.
Applied Anthropology
Transferable knowledge. Adaptable skills.
Applying anthropology involves combining theory, ethnographic insight and methodological expertise towards practical ends. Applied anthropologists work diverse fields including law, health care, agriculture/forestry, social and environmental planning, tourism, cultural resource management (including archaeological sites), indigenous rights, conflict management, social services, and communications. The Maxwell School's unique structure at the nexus of social science and public affairs is designed to develop students' ability to work in inter- and multi-disciplinary settings—a major aspect of applied anthropology and a central feature of our graduate program.
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Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
Our strengths in cultural anthropology include political anthropology, medical anthropology, gender and sexuality, globalization and culture change, conflict resolution, religion, and social movements. Our students conduct intensive and often multi-sited fieldwork in pursuing their doctoral degrees, while undergraduates develop skills in anthropological methodologies through coursework and internships. We work closely with the departments of History, Sociology and Geography in the Maxwell School and with the departments of Religion and Women and Gender Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as with programs in LGBT Studies, Native American Studies and regional offerings through the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
Space and Place
Space and Place
Based on anthropologist Edward T. Hall’s seminal idea of proxemics—the structure of the person’s micro-space—as well as the work of environmental psychologists and cultural geographers, Space and Place incorporates the theory of Bourdieu, Giddens, Foucault and LeFebvre, and it explores issues such as the cultural aspects of design, the production of space and the politics of space. Research has been carried out in most ethnographic regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. Course offerings bridge anthropology, geography and history.
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Certificates of Advanced Study
are available for qualifying graduates in women and gender studies, conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, NGO management, environmental decision-making, security studies, South Asia studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, Middle East affairs, Europe and the EU, and more.