Anthropology

Department Chair: Charles R. Riggs
Email: riggs_c@fortlewis.edu

Professors: Kathleen S. Fine-Dare and David L. Kozak
Associate Professors: Dawn M. Mulhern and Charles R. Riggs
Assistant Professors: Rebecca L. Austin and Kelly L. Jenks

Because of our excellent faculty, state of the art facilities, and location in the beautiful and culturally rich Four Corners area of the American Southwest, Fort Lewis College is one of the best places in the world to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, which opens doors to a variety of career paths and rich lifelong study. Anthropology is the broadest liberal arts discipline as it spans the sciences and humanities and provides a holistic and ethical approach to studying human existence from interconnected archaeological, biological, linguistic, and sociocultural perspectives. The study of anthropology develops the skills necessary to pursue careers in educational, academic, health, forensic, social work, legal, environmental management, governmental, NGO, or business settings. These skills include critical thinking; cross-cultural analysis; research, report, and grant writing; archival and field-based research; needs assessment; and oral history. Students with anthropology degrees from Fort Lewis College have found work in an increasingly global landscape in settings ranging from Southwest cultural resource management, Native American language revitalization programs, public school and university teaching, radio programming, museum interpretation and design, book editing, international program management, and the U.S. Veterans Administration, to name but a few.

To make the most of their Bachelor’s degree experience and to develop the greatest degree of career preparation, Anthropology majors are strongly encouraged to pursue study of a second language, participate in study abroad opportunities, and combine their degree with a second major or minor in areas such as Environmental Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, Geosciences, Native American and Indigenous Studies, or Public Health. The Forensic Studies Minor is an excellent complement to the Anthropology Major for those interested in pursuing a career in forensics (contact Dr. Dawn Mulhern for more information, mulhern_d@fortlewis.edu). Students are also encouraged to become involved in campus organizations such as the Anthropology Club, the East Africa Service Project, the Environmental Center, Feminist Voice, El Centro de Muchos Colores, and the Native American Center.

Additional Opportunities

The Department of Anthropology offers minors in Archaeology, Biocultural Anthropology, and Sociocultural Anthropology for students who are not anthropology majors. It also offers a Certificate in Cultural Resource Management and an archaeological field school program. Anthropology majors have the opportunity to pursue fascinating internships in local national park and monument settings, in the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, in the FLC Center of Southwest Studies museum facility, or in one of the many regional agencies devoted to social justice for victims of intimate violence and poverty, for environmental sustainability, and for animal rights.

Four Corners Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Program

Students have the opportunity to pursue a five-year combined B.A. (Anthropology) and Masters in Social Work through an FLC/University of Denver partnership. Contact Dr. Beverly Chew for more information (970-247-7512, or chew_b@fortlewis.edu).

Fulbright Grants

Guidance for post-B.A. Fulbright grants for study and teaching abroad is offered in the Anthropology department and located online. Contact Dr. Kathleen S. Fine-Dare (fine_k@fortlewis.edu)

Teacher Education Licensure

Many Anthropology Majors pursue a license in Teacher Education. For more information, contact Dr. Richard S. Fulton (fulton_r@fortlewis.edu)

Major and Minors in Anthropology

Anthropology Major

Anthropology - Biocultural Anthropology Minor

Anthropology - Sociocultural Minor

Archaeology Minor