Anthropology is a discipline that uniquely bridges the social and natural sciences. Students seeking a BA, BS, or minor in anthropology will study the diversity of humankind as manifest through time and across the globe. The scope of anthropology is vast, and is divided traditionally into four major subfields, each of which contribute distinct perspectives on the issues of what makes us human:

• Biological anthropology explores evolution, adaptation, and variation in past and modern human and primate populations.
• Cultural anthropology investigates contemporary human cultures and the diversity of human social institutions.
• Archaeology focuses on understanding human behavior through the study of material culture recovered from the past.
• Linguistic anthropology focuses on human language and communication, and their interrelationship with culture.

Together, these branches of study will inform students about modern human biological and cultural diversity, as well as our evolutionary origins, thereby enhancing students' understanding of the past, present and future of the human species.

The Anthropology Department offers a Bachelor or Arts in Anthropology, a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, an anthropology minor, as well as a combined major in sociology/anthropology leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology.

The department boasts a variety of special resources for students, including a biological anthropology laboratory; archaeology laboratory; anthropometric, photographic and bioplastic research material; dark room; computer facilities; and the Human Relations Area Files on microfiche.

There is also an active Chardin Anthropology Club which organizes anthropology-related activities, guest speakers and field trips for interested majors.