An anthropology degree at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, provides students with a broad base for understanding and interpreting human action in a variety of prehistorical, historical and contemporary contexts. The anthropology major has great appeal to students who are interested in how other people live, have a curiosity about where humans came from and would like to learn more about the past than is found in history books.
As the comparative, cross-cultural study of human experience and behavior, anthropology is typically divided into four subfields—cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology and linguistics. Transylvania’s program emphasizes cultural anthropology and archaeology and features course subjects that range from human origins and evolution to religion, gender studies, underwater archaeology and Latin American prehistory, among others.
Anthropology students at Transylvania have opportunities for many out-of-class learning experiences, including the chance to do research with professors in the program. Chris Begley, associate professor of anthropology, has taken students to Honduras, Suriname, Guyana, Peru, Iceland, Spain, Albania and elsewhere, involving students in his ongoing research in Croatia, Honduras and Suriname.
Closer to home, students can apply their classroom knowledge to hands-on experience at archaeological digs in Kentucky. Hande Ozkan, assistant professor of anthropology, involves her students in service learning projects in Kentucky and has ongoing research in Turkey.
Courses of Special Interest
Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion
Health, Healing, and Culture
Gender, Culture, and the Body
Urban Anthropology
Maritime Archaeology
Appalachia and the Environment
Sustainable Development
The Anthropology of Food
Service Learning: The Refugee Experience in Lexington
Corporate Anthropology
Global Health
Possible Career Options
International development program staff
National and international non-governmental organization associate
Community organizer
Urban planning and development specialist
Diversity trainer
Interpreter/Medical interpreter
Non-profit group organizer
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
University of Chicago
University of California-Davis
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Vanderbilt University
East Carolina University
Boston University
Seton Hall University
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
Australia I
Australia II
Austria
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Fiji
France II
Ghana
Germany II
India
Israel
Morocco
New Zealand
Scotland
Thailand I
Uruguay
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
Hande Ozkan
Associate Professor of Anthropology; Program Director for Sociology/Anthropology
(859) 233-8639
Stephanie Coriale
Social Sciences Administrative Assistant
(859) 233-8104
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797
More Information
Transylvania anthropologists are dynamic, respected scholars who are very active in their disciplines. Students benefit from research opportunities and get to participate in the scientific process and understand the discipline of anthropology from faculty who are both teachers and active researchers.
Chris Begley