Anthropology

Anthropology, the study of humanity, is composed of four broad subfields that cover practically every dimension of the human experience.  The main four subfields of anthropology include:  physical anthropology, the study of humans as biological organisms; cultural or sociocultural anthropology which focuses on living human groups; archaeology, the study of cultural evolution through the examination of material remains of past societies, and anthropological linguistics, the study of the history, structure, and function of human languages.

Anthropologists are responsible for popularizing the concept of culture.  As a discipline, anthropology also emphasizes a holistic understanding of the connectivity between gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and economics.  The importance of understanding and appreciating cultural and physical diversity becomes ever more imperative, as globalization continues.

Minor in Anthropology

A minor in anthropology complements a wide variety of professional careers in rural and urban communities in the U.S. and abroad. Anthropology helps to prepare students for careers in international development, forensic anthropology, cultural resource management, archaeology, human ecology, environmental sciences, national and international corporate management, health and human rights advocacy, public service, and academia. Anthropology faculty at WIU have extensive field research experience and are cutting-edge scholars who specialize in human relationships with the environment. Interested students are encouraged to visit with one of our anthropologists—Drs. Patricia Anderson, David Casagrande, or Heather McIlvaine-Newsad—to learn more about the anthropology minor. Please call (309) 298-1056 or e-mail us.

Please see the current Undergraduate Catalog for details, or check STARS for information about available courses.

List and description of courses for upcoming semesters

Undergraduate Advisor

Sharon B. Keeling
Morgan Hall 430
(309) 298-1486
SB-Keeling@wiu.edu