Department at a Glance
About the Anthropology Department
Department Chair: Dr. Michael Wroblewski
Coordinator: Barbie Young
Curator of Anthropology: Dr. Steven Dorland
Lab Supervisor: Wesley Jackson
Academic Year System: Semester
Highest Degree Offered: BA/BS
Student Clubs/Organizations: Anthropology Club; Lambda Alpha Honor Society; Archaeology Club
Description/Special Programs: Summer field schools in archaeology and ethnology, internships in museum studies, cultural resource management, Native American studies, study abroad program.
Research Facilities: Anthropology Labs with part-time supervisor; full-time staff
Support Opportunities: Richard E Flanders Anth Scholarship ; Walton B. Koch Anthropology Scholarship ; Quimby Scholarship
Anthropology is the study and understanding of humans in all places and throughout time, including the effects of culture on individuals and of individuals on their society. Anthropology offers a perspective for critically analyzing culture and prepares students for multicultural career settings in the United States and abroad. We offer both an anthropology major and minor; B.A. and B.S. Anthropology contributes substantially to the General Education Program, teaching four Foundation Courses, nine Theme Courses, ten World Perspectives courses and one U.S. Diversity course. The Anthropology Department is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. There are currently 150+ majors (compared to 20 majors in 1990) and 60+ minors.
The Anthropology Department offers various opportunities for students:
1. Fieldwork, Research, and Internship Opportunities
The anthropology program regularly sponsors field schools in archaeology and cultural anthropology. Summer programs are locally based and are accessible to commuters as well as on-campus students. Students join faculty on research projects at sites ranging from local to international. Our Internship Program connects students to local and international organizations.
The anthropology lab houses a collection of over 200,000 artifacts from more than 300 sites. It is available to faculty and students for class-based and independent research. The Anthropology Lab is the academic, research, and social hub of the department. Our lab is located in 249 LMH.
Lambda Alpha is the National Scholastic anthropology fraternity. Grand Valley State University's Michigan Beta Chapter of Lambda Alpha is dedicated to promoting and recognizing scholarly achievement by students working toward degrees or minors in anthropology; or students with a strong interest and background in anthropology.
4. Anthropology Club- Facebook, Instagram
The Anthropology Club is open to all majors and interested students. It works with Lambda Alpha Honor Society in sponsoring speakers and fundraising events and participates in local, regional, and national meetings of anthropology. The club is involved in local and international community service projects.