Welcome to Cultural Anthropology!
Cultural anthropologists study human cultures, relationships, technologies, religions, healing practices, art, foodways, and more. Using a social research method called ethnography, anthropologists deepen their study by considering specific political, historical, and economic contexts. Ethnography can reveal local solutions to global challenges: from racism to climate change, and from healthcare access to economic inequality.Cultural Anthropology majors can adopt a broad course of study of many places and communities. Or, they can focus on a particular area of the world or topic. Either way, the discoveries you make in your Cultural Anthropology training are widely applicable to many careers.
For students interested in focused study, Cultural Anthropology offers many options. Our course offerings are dynamic, and we encourage you to discuss with your CulAnth major advisor what a focus in the major might look like based on current course offerings. For instance, you may wish to find courses that extend your interests developed in Duke Engage, Duke Immerse, FOCUS, or Study Away programs. You may also wish to build a portfolio that supports your professional aims.
Departmental website: https://culturalanthropology.duke.edu/
Advising
The department will assign advisors to first and second majors. Students are invited to email the Department Administrator and Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Pat Bodager, if they would like to request a specific advisor. Please note that some faculty may not be available for advising due to a leave or a full roster of advisees. You are required to meet with your advisor each advising period prior to course registration. If you have additional questions about the major you can contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Harris Solomon.
Requirements and General Information
Learn more about major and minor requirements, and general information for new majors.