Through research and hands-on learning in archaeology and biological, cultural and linguistic anthropology, we train students to explore human diversity and make a difference in the world. By studying human history through identity, society and well-being, our students learn to lead with an understanding of diversity, justice and human connection.
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Academics
Earn a B.A., M.A., Ph.D., minor, cognate or certificate in anthropology’s four fields—archaeology, cultural, linguistic and biological—and build skills in research, communication and critical thinking.
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Research
Our faculty lead discoveries in areas ranging from forensic recovery and public archaeology to medical anthropology and human diversity.
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Our People
Work with faculty across fields of study, including many who have received the Mungo Teaching Award for excellence in mentoring and instruction.
Hands-on discovery
Anthropology thrives beyond the classroom. Gain hands-on experience in excavation, lab analysis, cultural immersion and museum collections through fieldwork, study abroad and collaborations with centers and institutes.
Fieldwork OpportunitiesThis research further solidifies the importance of taking on a collaborative framework and has highlighted the crucial role that archaeologists can play in the democratization of knowledge.
Department News
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Fisher Named 2026 McCausland Faculty Fellow
Chosen as a McCausland Faculty Fellow, Chelsea Fisher investigates sustainability and environmental justice through archaeology, connecting long-term ecological research with today’s environmental challenges.
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Bioarchaeology and Social Justice
Explore how USC’s Carlina de la Cova contributes to a new open-access volume on bioarchaeology, activism and social justice, addressing health inequities, structural violence and global research for a more equitable future.
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Stawkowski Studies Radiation Risk via Insects
Anthropologist Magdalena Stawkowski examines how insect studies shape understanding of radiation risk while advancing research on nuclear testing, community histories and environmental impact at the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
