Anthropology
Offered by the Anthropology department.

What makes a human, human? Anthropology looks at the entire human experience: our biology, the way we think, how we evolved, what we eat, where we live and what we’re capable of achieving. With a vast selection of electives, you can choose to dig into archaeology of the Southwest, discover more about the peoples and cultures of the Himalayas, or examine the ecology and politics of food. As an anthropology major, you might find yourself immersed in another culture during a semester, summer or year abroad. You can also choose a public health track, which joins the social sciences and biology.

Programs

Outcomes

98% of Anthropology majors from the past five years have found employment or achieved a service opportunity within six months of graduation, *

Since 2004, Anthropology graduates have been awarded 28 national scholarships: eleven Fulbright Fellowships, a Watson Fellowship, a Beinecke Scholarship, a Rotary Global Grant, an International Scholarship at National Taiwan University for Advanced Mandarin Studies, a JET Fellowship, eleven Davis International Fellowships, and two Davis Projects for Peace Awards.

*outcomes data is based on a knowledge rate of 84% for the classes of 2014-2018

98%
of Anthropology majors

Recent Graduates


Sample First Jobs

  • Donor Communications Associate, New York Civil Liberties Union
  • Editorial Assistant, Elsevier
  • Health Care Assistant, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
  • Insurance Coordinator, Center for Autism and Related Disorders
  • Teacher, WorldTeach


Sample Graduate Schools

  • George Mason University
  • Harvard University
  • Oxford University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Washington


Wheaton Anthropology majors are eligible for accelerated admission to the Masters in Gender and Cultural Studies program at Simmons University.

Recent student internships

The Wheaton Edge offers experiences beyond the classroom.

Marnie Sugarman

2020, Anthropology, German Studies

For Once in Life Wheaton Fund Internship

ATC Studios, Clifton, NJ

I learned that I can be an effective stage manager, as well as an effective administrative assistant.

Sophie Dubois

2021, Anthropology

Helen C. Powell '65 Crossroads Fellowship

Picuris Pueblo Field School, Arizona University, Taos, New Mexico

I learned that I love working in the field and conducting interviews with Picuris Pueblo members.

Marvella Avery

2020, Anthropology

Lisa Miller Maguire '81 Endowed Internship Fund

The KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market, Boston, MA

This experience connected me to so many new and amazing people whose knowledge and stories will help me to write a senior thesis that I’m truly passionate about.

Fatoumata Diallo

2019, Anthropology

Davis International Fellowship

Consulate of Gambia, Nagoya, Japan

Before this internship, I was very confused as to what I wanted to do after graduation. Working with so many influential people really helped narrow down what I want to do in the future.

Rachel Crafford

2020, Environmental Science and Anthropology

Doreen M. Frasca '76 Internship Fund

Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Cape Cod National Seashore (National Park Service), Welfleet, MA

This internship gave me the opportunity to conduct research for an extended period of time, and I was able to spend the majority of my time working in the field – something I had not done before. It was incredibly interesting to me to see the effects that humans are having on the diamondback terrapins, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing my part by working to conserve this species and try to reverse the damage that has been done up to this point.

Martha Bodell

2019, Anthropology

Margit Bliss Orange '57 and Arnold S. Orange S'57 Internship

Women and Infants Simulation Center, Providence, RI

I realized that I definitely want to continue to learn about healthcare (or public health) and that there are countless paths to take.

Faculty

Hope Bastian

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Donna O. Kerner

Professor of Anthropology, Emerita; William Isaac Cole Professor of Anthropology

Joshua MacLeod

Professor of the Practice of Anthropology

Leena Maqsood

Visiting Instructor of Anthropology

Leah Niederstadt

Associate Professor of Museum Studies, History of Art; Curator of the Permanent Collection; Chair, Department of Anthropology

Bruce Owens

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus; Coordinator, Wheaton/Royal Thimphu College Partnership Program

M. Gabriela Torres

Professor and William Isaac Cole Chair in Anthropology; Associate Provost for Academic Administration and Faculty Affairs