Department of Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human in the broadest sense, through an examination of culture and society (sociocultural and linguistic anthropology), the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives (biological anthropology) and the study of past human communities and material culture (archaeology).  Students develop an appreciation of the value of physical and cultural differences at the local, national and global levels, and learn critical thinking skills that support them in careers that involve working with individuals of diverse national or ethnic backgrounds. 

The aim of the anthropology major is to provide a background in behavioral studies for students who desire a broad education in either the biological or the social sciences.  Anthropology majors can obtain research experience in science and the humanities through ethnographic or biological research, or archaeology field schools.  Most undergraduates in Anthropology at TAMU select this major because of the opportunity it affords them to acquire a sound liberal education.  

The curriculum is ideal for students who want to pursue professional careers or graduate study in anthropology and archaeology. However, students will also find the curriculum fully suitable to prepare them for employment opportunities or careers in:  secondary or higher education; medicine; law; museum and foundation settings; the local, state and federal government (such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Institute of Health and others); non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations; foreign service with government agencies (such as the Agency for International Development, United Nations organizations and others); private archaeological research institutions; and nontraditional opportunities emerging in business and management.

Alvard, Michael S, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of New Mexico, 1993

Anderson, Monya, Instructional Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Oregon, 2019

Athreya, Sheela, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Washington University in St. Louis, 2003

Bojakowski, Katie, Instructional Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011

Bojakowski, Piotr, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012

Carlson, Deborah N, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Texas, 2004

Crisman, Kevin J, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Pennsylvania, 1989

De Ruiter, Darryl J, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, 2001

Dostal, Christopher M, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2017

Gursky, Sharon, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1997

Halligan, Jessi, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012

Hopkins, Allison L, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Florida, 2009

Kennedy, Carolyn, Instructional Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Laporte, Catharina M, Instructional Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013

Lemus Sevilla, Sergio, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016

Lynch, Darrell W, Lecturer
Anthropology
PHD, University of Tennessee, 2014

Nutor, Benjamin, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Texas at Austin, 2021

Pulak, Cemalettin M, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1996

Rademaker, Kurt, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Maine, 2012

Sarathi, Akshay, Lecturer
Anthropology
PHD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020

Thakar, Heather B, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2014

Wachsmann, Shelley A, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University, 1991

Waters, Michael R, University Distinguished Professor
Anthropology
PHD, The University of Arizona, 1980

Werner, Cynthia A, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Indiana University, 1997

Winking, Jeffrey W, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, The University of New Mexico, 2005