Direct inquiries to: : Graduate Secretary, (215) 204-7775, 210 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

E-mail: anthro@blue.temple.edu

Graduate Faculty

Niyi Akinnaso, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley; Richard M. Chalfen, Professor, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Jonathan Friedlaender, Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University; Judith G. Goode, Professor, Ph.D., Cornell University; Leonard O. Greenfield, Professor, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Susan Hyatt, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts; Jayasinhji Jhala, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University; Denise O'Brien, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Yale University; Thomas C. Patterson, Professor, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley; Anthony Ranere, Professor and Chair, Ph.D., University of California at Davis; Jay Ruby, Professor, Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles; Michael Stewart, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.);Charles Weitz, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University; Sydney White, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley.

General Statement

The graduate program in anthropology at Temple University is concerned with how people participate in and adapt to processes of change and transformation, both historically and in the contemporary world. It is concerned with issues of diversity and multiculturalism at home and abroad. Since the faculty views anthropology as unified discipline rather than as an aggregate of disconnected specializations, the traditional subfields (archaeological, sociocultural, biological, and linguistic) are crosscut by research foci (urban anthropology, political economy, visual anthropology, gender, medical anthropology, human biology, and the history of anthropology) that bring together faculty from the traditional subfields. These foci articulate contemporary or emerging concerns within the discipline and beyond. This is the strength and uniqueness of the program.

The program is primarily dedicated to the production of well-trained research scholars, with the understanding that many students will enter non-academic professions. In 1995, more than 90% of Temple-Anthropology's Ph.D. recipients were employed full-time in university teaching, research, or degree-related policy and administrative positions; about 10% were engaged in law and other professional activities informed by their anthropological training.

The graduate student body in anthropology is diverse and highly qualified. About a third come from outside the United States; most of the remainder come from various parts of the United States outside the Delaware Valley. Slightly more than half are women, and more than a quarter are people of color. Thus, a substantial number of the diverse graduate student body has ties with peoples in other parts of the world and/or with immigrant communities in the United States.

The department awards M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology. All students are admitted directly to the Ph.D. program, even though the faculty realizes that some students may wish to pursue the M.A. degree. Students are encouraged to develop their own scholarly interests as quickly as possible within the context of the broader program. In consultation with the faculty, they select their own major fields and design programs of study. In addition to introductory and advanced research seminars in the department, individual programs of study include independent studies and appropriate course work in other departments.

Areas of Concentration

Research foci in urban anthropology, political economy, visual anthropology, gender, medical anthropology, human biology, and the history of anthropology crosscut the traditional sub-fields of the discipline (archaeology, sociocultural anthropology, linguistics, and biological anthropology). These foci reflect the research and teaching interests of different faculty working alone or in collaboration with other members of the department or with faculty outside the department.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for completed applications and accompanying documentation for financial aid is February 1st. The anthropology department only admits new students in the Fall semester.

Financial Aid

The department usually does not make financial awards to incoming students because of limited resources. However, students with exceptional credentials are regularly nominated for four-year university-level fellowships.

Graduate assistantships are awarded competitively to second and third year students, and additional monies derived from part-time teaching positions are available to qualified students by the end of the first year in residence.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have superior academic records and informed interests in pursuing graduate study in anthropology. Prior work in anthropology is not required; previous work in the humanities, art, history, or other social or biological sciences may be equally useful. Only completed applications will be considered. Applicants for admission should file the following documents and a non-refundable $40.00 application fee with the Department of Anthropology:

• a completed application form, which can be obtained from the Department of Anthropology, Room 224 Gladfelter Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
• two official transcripts of all previous college work. Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• results of a recent Graduate Record Examination. International students must take the TOEFL test and score a minimum of 230 on the computer-based test (CBT) or 575 on the paper version.
• two letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to evaluate the academic ability and accomplishments of applicants.
• a statement of purpose in which applicants state how their goals articulate with the training program at Temple and not anthropology in general. In addition, they should display knowledge of the offerings of the department, the research interests of the faculty, and how their interests can be met at Temple. Applicants are urged to contact faculty via e-mail or telephone, make a visit if possible, and read some of the faculty member's publications prior to writing their statement. The statement of purpose is the most important portion of the application.
• optional: examples of research papers of creative work such as photographs and films which applicants feel will aid the faculty in their evaluation process.
• a personal or telephone interview is highly recommended for admission to the anthropology of visual communication program.

In 1997-98, students accepted into the program had average undergraduate GPA's of 3.34. While faculty members attach different meaning to letters, grades, standardized test scores, and statements of purpose, they agree that the applicant should be aware of what the graduate training program in anthropology at Temple does and does not attempt to accomplish, and that the materials submitted should reflect developed capacities for critical thought, a good sense of problem, and clear, concise writing skills.

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