Anthropology is the study of humanity-past and present. Our technological age is shaped by choices people made in prehistory. Anthropology identifies both patterns in the human experience around the globe and solutions to the pan-human challenges of the Anthropocene.

Why study Anthropology at Sewanee?

Anthropology's unique and holistic approach to the study of all humankind (prehistoric, historic and contemporary) is made possible through the integration of four sub-fields: Archaeology, Linguistics, Physical Anthropology and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Students apply anthropological approaches to address research questions through local field study, community engagement projects, and skills-based classes. They are also encouraged to study and pursue research opportunities abroad. Students are asked to orient course projects towards future career goals in law, medicine, business, public service or graduate study.

At Sewanee, our faculty have global research and teaching experience from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, South Africa to Easter Island, Europe and North America. Classes consider the roles of culturally-produced visions of ethnicity, gender, class, race, and religion in shaping both contemporary problems and their solutions. The department focuses on core strengths in Ecological Anthropology, Environmental Archaeology, Environmental Humanities and Environmental Justice.      

FIRST DESTINATIONS: anthropology MAJORS

Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Some you would expect, others are a bit of a surprise. Sewanee prepares you for your profession and your passion. Below is a sampling of recent anthropology graduates' first jobs.

  • Archaeological crew chief, Statistical Research, Inc., Tucson, Arizona.
  • Teacher, Episcopal School of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
  • Stock broker, TD Ameritrade, St. Louis, Missouri.
GRADUATE SCHOOL AND PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS: anthropology MAJORS

Sewanee graduates enjoy extraordinary acceptance rates to top graduate and pre-professional programs—about 95 percent to law school and over 85 percent to medical school. Below is a sampling of where Sewanee grads continue their education.

  • M.S. in Food and Agriculture Law and Policy, Vermont Law School.
  • M.S.N., Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Ph.D. in Anthropology, Oxford University, England.

A Sampling of Courses

Introductory Physical Anthropology and Archaeology
Anthropology

An introduction to the processes of human and cultural evolution. The physical anthropology segment focuses on hominid evolution, genetic processes, primatology, and physiological characteristics of modern human populations. The archaeology segment traces cultural evolution from foraging societies to the great civilizations of ancient times. Both course segments include a review of pertinent methods and theories.

ANTH 106
Ecological Anthropology
Anthropology

This course examines human-environmental relationships from the anthropological perspective. Consideration of theoretical approaches and practical applications are supplemented by archaeological, ethnographical, and ethnohistorical case studies. We consider various ecosystems and landscapes as palimpsests that reveal cultural footprints to the archaeologist and human choices to the ethnographer. We explore how an understanding of both can greatly inform ecological studies and further new thinking about environmental policy.

ANTH 298
Place, Ritual, and Belief
Anthropology

An upper-division seminar designed to enhance students' research skills and engage students in thoughtful examination of the relationship between religious beliefs and practices, and natural environments. While including the major religious traditions, the course focuses on indigenous, historic and prehistoric traditions within band, tribe, chiefdom and state societies. The course focuses on religious syncretism due to historical conquest or latter 20th-century globalization as it impacts human-historical con-environmental relationships.

ANTH 312
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Anthropology

Programs of Study & Related Programs
  • Requirements for the Major and the Minor in Anthropology

Meet some professors

Celeste Ray
cray@sewanee.edu

Celeste Ray's courses engage students in researching biocultural diversity and considering the relevance of traditional ecological knowledge in addressing contemporary environmental issues. A two-time National Geographic Explorer, Ray's current fieldwork considers holy wells and sacred springs, particularly in Ireland. She trained in Ecological Anthropology and Iron Age Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the University of Florida. Some of her eight books have considered Historical Ecology, Sacred Waters and landscapes linked to ethnic and national identities.

Professor of Environmental Arts and Humanities and Anthropology
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Contact

Celeste Ray
Director of The environmental Arts & Humanities Program , Chair of Anthropology

cray@sewanee.edu

VISIT THE ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT SITE

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