Department of Anthropology

106 Anthropology Building,
(307) 766-5136
FAX: (307) 766-2473
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/anthropology
Department Chair: Todd Surovell

Professors:

JAMES AHERN, B.A. Beloit College 1991; M.A. Northern Illinois University 1993; Ph.D. University of Michigan 1998; Professor of Anthropology 2014, 2000.

MICHAEL E. HARKIN, B.A. University of North Carolina 1980; M.A. University of Chicago 1984; Ph.D. 1988; Professor of Anthropology 2003, 1993.

ROBERT L. KELLY, B.A. Cornell University 1978; M.A. University of New Mexico 1980; Ph.D. University of Michigan 1985; Professor of Anthropology 1997.

MARCEL KORNFELD, B.A. University of New Mexico 1974; M.A. University of Wyoming 1982; Ph.D. University of Massachusetts-Amherst 1994; Professor of Anthropology 2008, 1996.

MARY LOU LARSON, B.A. University of Wyoming 1976; M.A. University of California-Santa Barbara 1982; Ph.D. 1990; Professor of Anthropology 2007, 1996.

TODD SUROVELL, B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison 1995; M.A. University of Arizona 1998; Ph.D. 2003; Professor of Anthropology 2015, 2003.

Associate Professors:

PAMELA INNES, B.A. Bryn Mawr College 1986; M.A. University of Oklahoma 1992; Ph.D. 1997; Associate Professor of Anthropology 2007, 2001.

MELISSA S. MURPHY, B.A. Haverford College 1994; Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania 2004; Associate Professor of Anthropology 2014, 2008.

JASON TOOHEY, B.A. University of California Santa Barbara 1995; M.A. California State University Northridge 2000; Ph.D. University of California Santa Barbara 2009; Associate Professor of Anthropology 2017, 2011.

Assistant Professors:

BRIANA DOERING, B.A. Barnard College, Columbia University, 2012; M.A. University of Michigan 2016; Ph.D. 2020, Assistant Professor of Anthropology 2020.

ALEXANDRA KELLY, B.A. University of Chicago 2004; M.A. 2005; Ph.D. Stanford University 2014; Assistant Professor of History and Anthropology 2014.

JESSICA NELSON, B.A. University of Michigan 2006; M.A. University of Arizona 2011; Ph.D. 2018; Assistant Professor of School of Culture, Gender, and Social Justice 2019.

Adjunct Faculty:

Adams, Arksey, Clauter, Janković, Karavanić, Kitchell, Lynch, Malloy, Miller, Nicholson, Olujić, Page, Peterson, Pierce, Raguž, Rapson, Rockwell, Walker, Watson

Academic Professional Research Scientist:

Rick Weathermon

Professors Emeriti:

George C. Frison, George W. Gill, Lin A. Poyer, Charles A. Reher, Audrey C. Shalinsky

The department of Anthropology promotes the understanding of humankind from an integrated, holistic approach which examines past, present and future trends in cultural, biological and linguistic diversity and uniformity. Though the department serves undergraduate and graduate majors who will become professional anthropologists or will pursue other related careers, it also provides information to a large number of non-majors and to the larger community regarding cross-cultural issues. Furthermore, because of its commitment to the four field approach including biological anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology and linguistic anthropology, the department fosters among its students an awareness of the interrelatedness of scientific concepts, methods and theories, and the humanistic foundation of scientific inquiry. The Department of Anthropology prepares its students both to understand the cultural resources of Wyoming and to participate as informed citizens in an increasingly complex global community.

Undergraduate Major

The Anthropology B.A. program has the following learning outcomes:

students demonstrate knowledge about the four fields of anthropology and their interrelationship,
students participate in a research experience and understand its process, and
students demonstrate ability to analyze and synthesize in relation to anthropological issues or theories.

Undergraduate Minors

The Anthropology undergraduate minor has the following learning outcomes:

students learn sufficient subfield information to complement a variety of disciplines,
students learn basic methods of the discipline, and
students learn basic theories/types of subfield explanation.

Teacher Education

Anthropology courses may be used to complete part of the requirements for teacher certification in social studies.

Graduate Study

The department offers programs of study leading to Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Anthropology. Check Anthropology department web pages for any updates.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Master’s Program

The Anthropology M.A. program has the following learning outcomes:

students will be able to explain the content of the “four fields” of anthropology and their interrelationship in written and oral formats,
students will have experience in original research, and
students will develop skills which foster professionalism as related to their chosen field.

Deadline for application is February 15 for the following fall.

See graduate admission requirements.

Submit letter of intent, resume, transcripts, and an optional writing sample as digital documents to the UW online application system. A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required; a standardized recommendation form is provided through the application system.

In the letter of intent, students should describe their research interests, career goals, and how Wyoming’s program will help them achieve these goals.

The Department of Anthropology requires that at least two of the recommendation letters be from academic supervisors or instructors.

Students must present evidence of a satisfactory background in anthropology, which should include coursework in all four subfields of Anthropology (socio/cultural, bio/physical, archaeology, and linguistics). Deficiencies in anthropology may require remediation. Students must have three semesters of a single foreign language or equivalent, and one semester of statistics. In those instances in which the undergraduate background of the student is deficient, the department reserves the right to prescribe course work that would correct such deficiencies.

The M.A. program is designed to be completed in two full years of graduate study. Appropriate allowance will be made for parttime students.

Students who graduate with a Master of Arts degree will be able to explain the content of the four fields of Anthropology and their interrelationship in written and oral formats; they will have an experience in original research; and, they will develop skills which foster professionalism in their chosen fields.

Doctoral Program

The Anthropology Ph.D. program has the following learning outcomes:

students will have professional and specialized training so they can move into careers in academic or non-academic tracks,
students will have a dissertation research experience that results in professional publication(s), thereby contributing to the expansion of knowledge, and
students will have practical experience that will promote their movement into professional careers in a reasonable amount of time.

Deadline for application is December 1 for the following fall.

See graduate admission requirements.

In the letter of intent, students should identify whom they would like as their faculty adviser and describe their research interests, career goals, and how Wyoming’s program will help them achieve these goals.

Students with a master’s degree may apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

Students with a bachelor’s degree may apply to the Ph.D. program. If admitted, students are expected to complete the master’s degree requirements following the Plan A or Plan B option before formal admission to the Ph.D. program. At the thesis defense or hearing for the Plan B paper, the student will receive a no pass, pass-terminate at the master’s degree, or a pass-admit to the Ph.D. program.

Students admitted to the department’s M.A. program are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program.

For admission to the Ph.D. program with the Bachelor’s degree, students must have course work in the four subfields of anthropology, three semesters of a single foreign language, and statistical competency at either the B.A. or M.A. level. If these are not satisfied, the student’s faculty adviser in coordination with the student’s graduate committee assigns remedial work as appropriate.

Students who graduate with a Ph.D. in Anthropology will have specialized and professional training so they can move into academic or non-academic tracks; they will have a dissertation experience that results in professional publications; and they will have professional experiences that facilitate their move into careers in a reasonable amount of time.

Program Specific Graduate Assistantships

Doctoral students generally receive two years of assistantships. First semester, first year M.A. students are generally not awarded assistantships; however, the department occasionally does make exceptions. M.A. students are eligible to apply for assistantships beginning in the second semester.

Assistantships are awarded through a departmental application process. An application form, cover letter, and resume are required.

Information and deadlines may be obtained in the department office.

Failure to complete steps in the M.A. program by established deadline (e.g., advisor selection, proposal presentation, etc.) means the student is not eligible for an assistantship. Failure of the Ph.D. preliminary exam means the student is not eligible for an assistantship.