Southern Illinois University - Anthropology

What does it mean to be human?

SIU Anthropology Program
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Study the Human Experience.

In anthropology, we use scientific methods to approach important questions about human culture, life, values and social patterns.

There are four main areas of anthropology: archaeology, biological/physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology and sociocultural anthropology. At SIU, you’ll gain a broad base in all four areas for career flexibility or graduate school preparation.

At SIU, you'll learn research methods and data collection, including interviewing, observation and video or audio recording, artifact identification and analysis, site excavation and preservation, and analysis of findings and summary report writing.


See what SIU can do for you

View Undergraduate Program

View Graduate Program

What do anthropologists do?

At SIU, you might interview hurricane survivors about what it will take to restore the unique feeling of their neighborhood and then prepare a report for reconstruction efforts.

You might work on an archaeological site unearthing artifacts, or you might work in a lab to identify and analyze artifacts such as bones, glassware or military objects.

You record the history of an area by recording its music.

Or you might use high tech equipment to locate hidden foundations or graves.

 

Sample Courses

  • Lost Cities and Buried Treasure
  • Life of Apes
  • Origins of Civilization
  • Greece: Islands of Imagination
  • Ethnomusicology
  • African Expressive Culture
  • Anthropology through Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Transcending Gender
  • Food and Culture
SIU Anthropology Dig

Facilities

  • Complex for Forensic Anthropology Research
  • Center for Archaeological Investigations
  • Summer Field School
  • Zooarchaeology Laboratories
  • Study Abroad
SIU Anthropology Program skeletal study

Master's Program

We strive to produce students with broad backgrounds in the major subfields of anthropology and expertise in particular specialty areas, and offer a flexible program which serves students with diverse needs and goals.

We offer graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Be a Part of this.