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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Digging into Missing USC History
Beneath USC's historic Horseshoe, archaeologists have uncovered 19th-century artifacts revealing the lives of the people who built and sustained the early campus. The excavation is bringing forgotten stories to light.
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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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Research Through an Anthropological Lens
Dr. Magdalena Stawkowski documents scientific research and daily life at Kazakhstan's former Soviet nuclear testing site, revealing the human and environmental impacts of radiation through a unique anthropological perspective.
