Anthropology

There are plenty of opportunities for hands-on fieldwork! For example, two of our faculty members conduct research in Peru, focusing on the archaeology and biological anthropology of Andean complex societies. We also maintain strong connections with archaeologists in state and federal agencies, which have led to valuable research and employment opportunities for our graduate students.

Our faculty specialize in diverse regions including Iceland, Peru, Croatia and Native North America, with particular strengths in Paleoindian and hunter-gatherer archaeology, Wyoming’s history and biological anthropology.

The job outlook for anthropologists is growing, especially for those with advanced degrees and applied skills. Our program prepares students for success through hands-on experience and professional opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students who graduate with a Ph.D. in anthropology from UW have professional and specialized training so that they can move into careers in academic or non-academic tracks.
2. Students who graduate with a Ph.D. in anthropology from UW will have a dissertation research experience that results in professional publication(s), thereby contributing to the expansion of knowledge.
3. Students who graduate with a Ph.D. in anthropology from UW will have practical experience that will promote their movement into professional careers in a reasonable amount of time.

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 1

• Obj. 1. Doctoral students aided by the dissertation committee set up individualized programs of content courses, ensuring appropriate career track and specialization.
• Obj. 2. Students complete a college teaching experience, a course in anthropology's teaching and learning culture and a professionalism course to prepare for a possible academic career. Students teach at least one stand-alone course.
• Obj. 3. Students complete internship experience, K-12 or public education focus in course on teaching and learning and professionalism course to prepare for a possible non-academic career track.
• Methods of Assessment:

1. 1. Doctoral students create and maintain a teaching portfolio with self-evaluation and teaching evaluations. Faculty review of all teaching experiences.
   2. Doctoral students create and maintain an internship portfolio with self-report, evaluation, agency and supervisor evaluations, etc. Faculty review of all teaching experiences. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 2

• Obj. 1. Doctoral student engages in dissertation research projects, fieldwork and laboratory work under the supervision of the dissertation advisor.
• Obj. 2. Students apply for extramural funding, conduct original research and write at a publishable level.
• Obj. 3. Students submit at least 1 paper for peer-reviewed publication before graduation and present at least one paper at a regional/national conference.
• Methods of Assessment:

1. 1. Annual dissertation committee assessments of students' progress to discuss student progress in independent research, presentations, publications and the dissertation and track student involvement in collaborative efforts such as faculty-sponsored research and co-authored papers/articles.
   2. Doctoral students create and maintain a research portfolio/archive with research proposals, publications, papers, etc.
   3. Copies of submissions of proposals for funding (from the professionalism course) are maintained by the instructor in the course portfolio/archive.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students who graduate with an M.A. in anthropology from UW will be able to explain the content of the "four fields" of anthropology and their interrelationship in written and oral formats.
2. Students who graduate with an M.A. in anthropology from UW will have an experience in original research.
3. Students who graduate with an M.A. in anthropology from UW will develop skills that foster professionalism as related to their chosen fields. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 1

• Obj. 1. Students learn basic content of each subfield in at least 1 course.
• Obj. 2. Students write a short paper presenting their thesis research and how it relates to the four fields of anthropology.
• Obj. 3. Students demonstrate competence and familiarity with the four fields by presenting their paper and thesis research before the faculty and department.
• Methods of Assessment:

1. 1. Students demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship of subfields by writing a short paper, which is evaluated by a faculty committee using a rubric.
   2. Students demonstrate knowledge of subfield content by successful completion of an oral presentation as evaluated by a faculty committee using a rubric. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 2

• Obj. 1. Students develop, implement and complete their own Plan A or B projects.
• Methods of Assessment:

1. 1. Successful development and completion of Plan A or B projects.
   2. Graduation rates as determined for the annual report or data collected for the School of Graduate Education. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 3

• Obj. 1. Students give at least one lecture in classes for which they are the GA and/or conduct museum and site tours for the general public.
• Obj. 2. Students disseminate research results at professional conferences or other professional venues.
• Obj. 3. Students gain internship or work experience at federal or state agencies, private companies or in UW contracts, grants or research.
• Methods of Assessment:

1. 1. Students write applications for GA positions, which reflect on their teaching and research experiences and qualifications reviewed every semester by the entire faculty, at which students' past performance and experiences are discussed before positions are assigned.
   2. Students report to advisors about conference presentations and other professional activities, which are also recorded in the annual report and/or faculty update.
   3. Career tracking information is maintained by the department head.