Anthropology

Within anthropology, archaeologists specialize in the study of human communities through the material worlds they produce, consume, dwell within, and leave behind. Traditionally, this focus on objects or artifacts has gone hand-in-hand with a study of the past, particularly those millions of years of antiquity prior to widespread literacy when archaeological remains provide our sole means of exploring the vast array of human communities and their diverse evolutionary trajectories. The ancient past continues to be a core concern, but contemporary archaeologists increasingly use their object-based methodologies as critical tools to analyze and rethink more recent historical contexts as well. Historical texts may be largely written by the wealthy and elite, but archaeological records tend to be powerfully democratic, offering access to the stories of otherwise invisible people through the tangible remains they leave behind. During the past twenty-five years many archaeologists have further extended their inquiries into the present to examine modern material culture and our complicated relationships with "things." Today, archaeologists can be found excavating—both literally and figuratively—the material record at the very moment it is produced and contested.

Students with a background in archaeology pursue careers in a diverse set of fields such as cultural resource management, historic preservation, museum work, field and laboratory work in archaeological sciences, forensics, repatriation and cultural property law, government, education, journalism, tourism, and more.

Upon graduation, “Anthropology (Archaeology) will be designated on their transcript as their major field of study. Note that the Department does not offer a minor in Archaeology

Note: Students whose primary interests lie in biological anthropology are also welcome in the archaeology track. While there is no biological anthropologist on staff at Barnard, Prof. Fowles works closely with faculty at Columbia to develop a robust course of study for students interested in this specialization.

As of Fall, 2020, Barnard’s Anthropology Department is now offering a specialized major track in Political Ecology. This track follows a similar format to the existing one in Medical Anthropology, designed to enable students who wish to pursue specialized studies in their coursework and senior theses projects in fields relevant to environmental justice, climate change, and sustainability. The major track is grounded in strong theoretical and methodological training in sociocultural anthropology.

Upon graduation, Anthropology (Political Ecology) will be designated on their transcript as their major field of study. Note that the Department does not offer a minor in Political Ecology.

This specialized track assists students in finding jobs and enhances their prospects for admission to graduate programs concerned with contemporary socio-ecological problems by demonstrating they already possess robust specialized training. More specifically, the track in Political Ecology prepares students for 1) graduate studies in environmental anthropology, human geography, environmental studies, environmental humanities, sustainable investment and the like; 2) jobs at various NGOs, state agencies, and international organizations that are focused on sustainability, environmental change, and the social aspects of these two areas; 3) work with organizations working on mitigation, resilience, and adaptation and the like; 4) environmental journalism (a quickly growing field); and 5) a range of other careers focusing on the nexus of people and their environments.

Since Fall, 2017, Barnard’s Anthropology Department has offered a specialized undergraduate major track in Medical Anthropology. This track follows a similar format to the existing one in Archaeology, designed to enable students who wish to pursue specialized studies in their coursework and senior theses projects in fields relevant to health, illness, suffering, and affliction. The major track is grounded in strong theoretical and methodological training in sociocultural anthropology, although other four approaches are possible, too.

Upon graduation, Anthropology (Medical Anthropology) will be designated on their transcript as their major field of study. Note that the Department does not offer a minor in Medical Anthropology.