Student Engagement

From the Centennial Exhibit (Haury Bldg, 2nd floor)

Theme Image:

ASM 35442, Byron Cummings on Mt. Ajusco in Mexico, August 9, 1925. Left to right: Harry Grebe, James Bulnes, Byron Cummings, Jesus Chico, Emil Haury. Photographer: G. F. Jacobs. Courtesy of Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona.

The School of Anthropology is proud of its long history of student engagement, from field schools and study abroad opportunities to independent studies, internships, and more.For an overview of student engagement at the UA School of Anthropology, please click here.

Engagement at the School of Anthropology

Students at the School of Anthropology are provided with a wide range of engagement options both locally and globally. Prior consultation with an academic advisor is required to review whether a course can count as a "Student Engagement Experience" in order for students to receive "Engaged Learning Experience" notation on their official transcripts. For the UA Student Engagement Policies and Guidelines, click here.

Field Schools and Study Abroad Programs

Fields Schools are an excellent opportunity to learn about the field of archaeology and the skills that will be required for a career as a professional archaeologist. The website for the Archaeological Institute of America is a good place to start your search for field schools around the world. This website allows you to search by location, type of program or date. Study Abroad programs contribute to a global appreciation. For an updated list of field schools and study abroad programs, please click here.

Awards, Scholarships, and Grants for Scholarship and Research

There are special funds for students at the undergraduate level and SoA students are encouraged to submit applications each semester. Guidelines, information on deadlines and a list of available resources can be found here and are available in Haury 210. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences also offers a number of scholarships and awards, including the Magellan Scholarship.

The School of Anthropology, Arizona State Museum, and Bureau of Anthropological Research offer students opportunities for research and professional training. Student volunteers earn academic units or are paid for research and other professional experiences. Individuals or groups of students negotiate Independent Study courses, Internships, and research projects with faculty members and researchers.

Directed Research (ANTH 392, 492)

Directed Research courses are available for all students who are interested in developing research and special interest projects. Students must contact the faculty member with whom they would like to pursue a Directed Research course with well before the beginning of the semester. The student must work with the Instructor to design a Directed Research program, and complete the Directed Research Proposal Form. Each faculty member has a separate Directed Research section number for registration purposes. Be sure to enroll in the appropriate section number assigned to your faculty mentor. Directed Research courses are variable in unit value. Students in Directed Research student receive grades: A, B, C, D, E.

Internships (ANTH 393, 493)

A list of on-campus and off-campus internships of interest to anthropology students can be found here. A number of internships are available from the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, Arizona State Museum, other UofA affiliated programs, Tucson and Pima County, State of Arizona, as well as internships in national and international organizations.  Students must contact the faculty member who will serve as the Internship Faculty Advisor, well before the beginning of the semester. Please also read the School of Anthropology Internship Policy. The student must work with the Faculty Advisor to design and complete the  School of Anthropology Internship Application Form.

Independent Studies (ANTH 199, 299, 399, 499; ANTH 199H, 299H, 399H, 499H)

Independent Study courses are available for all students who are interested in developing research and special interest projects. Independent Study courses are variable in unit value.

Students must contact the faculty member with whom they would like to pursue an independent study with well before the beginning of the semester. The student must work with the Instructor to design an Independent Study program, and complete the Independent Study Proposal Form. Each faculty member has a separate Independent Study section number for registration purposes. Be sure to enroll in the appropriate section number assigned to your faculty mentor for the following courses. Notice that Independent Studies for Honors Students are designated with the suffix H. Student in Independent Studies receive grades: S, P, F. Honors Students in Independent Studies receive grades: A, B, C, D, E.

  • Anthropology 199 (Freshmen); 199H (Honors Freshmen)
  • Anthropology 299 (Sophomores); 299H (Honors Sophomores)
  • Anthropology 399 (Juniors); 399H (Honors Juniors)
  • Anthropology 499 (Seniors); 499H (Honors Seniors)

Senior Thesis (ANTH 498A)

This course is normally taken as a two-semester sequence.  In the first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member. During the second semester, the student writes a thesis that presents the result of their research. Students must contact the faculty member with whom they would like to pursue a Senior Thesis with well before the beginning of the semester. The student must work with the Instructor to design a Senior Thesis, and complete the Senior Thesis Prospectus Form. You should also review the School of Anthropology Undergraduate Thesis Guidelines. Each faculty member has a separate Senior Thesis section number for registration purposes. Student enrolled in Senior Thesis receive grades: A, B, C, D, E.

Honors Thesis (ANTH 498H)

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis. Students must contact the faculty member with whom they would like to pursue an Honors Thesis with well before the beginning of the semester. The student must work with the Instructor to design an Honors Thesis, and complete the Honors Thesis Prospectus Form. You should also review the School of Anthropology Undergraduate Thesis Guidelines. Each faculty member has a separate Honors Thesis section number for registration purposes. Student enrolled in Senior Thesis receive grades: A, B, C, D, E.

Lecture Series

The School of Anthropology sponsors a series of scholarly lectures every semester. Invited speakers discuss a variety of topics. Bulletin Boards in the hallway on the second floor of the Haury Building provide information on presentations and activities associated with the lecture series. Also read email messages from the Advising Center and look for information on the school web site.

School of Anthropology Lectures Series
Haury Building, Room 215
Thursdays, 2:00-3:15 PM

Lunch Talks (Brown Bag Talks)

These informal events are open to everyone. Topics, times, and locations vary. Graduate students often provide information or discuss their work as part of the Brown Bag Lunch Talks. For information about topics, times, and locations, read email messages from the Advising Center and look on the bulletin board across the hall from the Advising Center and the school web site. University of Arizona departments, museums, programs, and other groups host a wide variety of lectures and activities of interest to anthropologists. For information about topics, times, and locations, look on the bulletin board across the hall from the Advising Center and the school web site.

Undergraduate Anthropology Club

Join the Anthropology Club! Meet people who share your interests. Participate in meetings, social activities, and special events. Learn what is happening in the school and in the discipline.

File: 
Directed Research Form F2015.doc