Anthropology Program

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Anthropology is the scientific and humanistic study of human culture and biology in the past and present and anywhere in the world.

WKU's Anthropology Program offers students a cohesive program of study to develop their cross-cultural perspectives and enrich their understanding of interactions between human culture and biology in contemporary societies and in the archaeological and evolutionary past. Delivered by four full-time faculty members, the anthropology curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in the classroom, laboratory, and field and provides students with many opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and events. We promote a broad, four-field approach including cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology, with special emphasis on the ways anthropological knowledge and methods can be applied to address contemporary human problems like poverty, human rights abuses, food insecurity, and human dimensions of global environmental change. The Anthropology Program prepares students for graduate programs, as well as a variety of fulfilling careers with non-profit organizations such as The Works in Memphis, state and federal agencies like the National Park Service, museums such as The Hermitage in Nashville, and consulting firms like Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions.

Through major and minor programs and courses designed for students of all disciplines, we encourage students to step outside their biocultural bubbles to explore the rich diversity of human experiences in their own communities and around the globe!

We invite prospective students, current students, and alumni to learn more about what's new in the Anthropology Program. And we invite current students to apply for the 2024-2025 Du-Powell Scholarship in Anthropology by March 30, 2024.