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Anthropology at UNT: An Applied Department in an Applied Social Science School

Our department emphasizes the practical use of anthropology to solve problems and improve people's lives. All faculty members are applied anthropologists. Furthermore, the department is located within UNT's College of Public Affairs and Community Service. This school houses applied social sciences at UNT, such as gerontology, public administration, and social work.

Two members of the UNT anthropology department are also on the steering committee of the Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropology Programs (COPAA).

However, our identity as a department is broader than just applied anthropology. UNT's undergraduate major in anthropology exposes students to the full range and breadth of what this field can be. The faculty also actively engage in traditional academic activities such as publication.

Specialty Areas


Our faculty members cover a broad range of interests, from diversity to culture change. In terms of geographic region, faculty members focus on Africa, Oceania, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. In addition, we are especially well represented in these areas:

Business, Technology, and Design Anthropology
Ann Jordan, Susan Squires, and Christina Wasson specialize in this area. Topics include organizational culture and organizational change, teams, communication in the workplace, user-centered design, human-computer interaction, consumer behavior, and globalization.

Migration and Border Studies
Alicia Re Cruz and Doug Henry represent this area. Topics covered include the situations of migrants and refugees, cultures of Latin America, and Mexican-American experiences. Dr. Re Cruz also offers a summer field school in Mexico where students observe local community development processes.

Medical Anthropology
Beverly Davenport, Lisa Henry, and Doug Henry specialize in this area, which addresses public health, healthcare delivery, indigenous medicine, and the health issues of ethnic minorities, migrants, and/or refugees. We are affiliated with UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

Anthropology of Education
Mariela Nuñez-Janes and Alicia Re Cruz represent this area, which focuses on schools and the educational process. Connections between culture and education are explored in a variety of contexts, with attention to teaching and learning issues. Both faculty members focus on the challenges of bilingual education.

Environmental and Ecological Anthropology
James Veteto and Pankaj Jain represent this area, which includes community-based conservation of natural and cultural resources, cultural landscapes/seascapes, indigenous peoples and protected areas, traditional ecological knowledge, human ecology, sustainable development, ethnoecology, political ecology, environmental justice, world views concerning the environment, and globalization and environmental policy.

Archaeology
Archaeology is generally considered to be part of anthropology. However, at UNT, our three archaeologists, Reid Ferring, Lisa Nagaoka, and Steve Wolverton are housed in the Geography Department. Undergraduate students who are interested in Archaeology may major in Anthropology or Geography at UNT.  To choose the correct major, students should seek advice from faculty members in both departments.  Generally speaking, those interested in archaeology with an anthropological focus (concerning social and cultural perspectives) should major in Anthropology and then take a variety of Archaeology courses.  Those students interested in Archaeological Science (environmental archaeology, geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology) should major in Geography.  Graduate students interested in studying Archaeology at UNT must do so through the Master’s in Applied Geography program.  All Archaeology courses are listed under the ARCH prefix and are taught through the Department of Geography.

The Archaeology Minor: if a student is majoring in Anthropology or Geography and their interests lie in Archaeology, they may not minor in Archaeology because ARCH courses are part of the curriculum for each major.  If a student is majoring in Geography, they should minor in Anthropology to gain exposure to relevant coursework.  If majoring in Anthropology, minor in Geography to gain additional skills and concepts relevant to a career in Archaeology.  A double major in Anthropology and Geography is another desirable option for those who desire a career in Archaeology.

Physical Anthropology
Physical anthropology is generally considered to be part of anthropology. However, at UNT, physical/biological anthropology is housed in the Biology Department. Undergraduate students wishing to focus on physical anthropology will major in anthropology, but they should take as many courses as possible in physical/biological anthropology, and they should feel welcome to consult Dr. Gill-King for advice on courses and career development.