Sociocultural Anthropology Graduate Program

At the center of anthropology is the most difficult and important question of all: What does it mean to be human? Sociocultural anthropologists marvel at the diversity within the human species—physical attributes, ways of knowing, customs, objects, clothing, speech, art, religion, worldviews—and how these aspects come together to form culture and identity, the lens through which we see the world and the context for all human behavior.

At Arizona State University, our sociocultural anthropology program emphasizes a solid foundation in method and theory, a practical approach to fieldwork, and a commitment to focused student mentoring and making our research count in the communities with which we partner. This outstanding Ph.D. program draws on the talents of more than 40 cultural anthropologists in diverse units across campus who can all serve on students' committees, offering flexible, individualized programs of study that encompass the breadth of anthropology and well beyond. The rich ethnic diversity, indigenous traditions and desert environment of the American Southwest provide an inspirational setting to undertake research that spans the globe.

Examples of a few of the diverse research projects undertaken by our faculty include coastal resource management in the Philippines, global migration and ethnic diasporas, language renewal programs in southwestern Native American communities, languages and literatures of Southeast Asia, Mien sports and cultural heritage in Thailand, race and class in Colonial Oaxaca, Type 2 diabetes among Native Americans, the anthropological study of rock art, relationships with one’s past through material culture and museums, and the psychophysiological and social bases of traditional healing practices.

Whatever your passion, you will find a dynamic and supportive environment at the School of Human Evolution and Social Change in your own search for what it means to be human.

Sociocultural Anthropology Specializations: Some of our significant strengths include Anthropology and the Environment, Anthropology of Migration and Displacement, Medical Anthropology, Urban Ethnography, Cultural Institutions, Culture & Heritage, Identity & Representation, Technology in Society, Southwestern and Latin American indigenous groups, and Biocultural Approaches to Human Adapatation. Collaboration with other programs within the school allows for extensive advanced, cutting-edge training in Ethnographic and Allied Methods (i.e., ethnography, GIS, social survey, lab skills, demography, epidemiology, and computer-based modeling).

Current Regional Specializations: Mesoamerica, Southeast Asia, Asia, Oceania, South America, and the southwestern United States.

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Sociocultural Anthropology Graduate Program