Research and Field Training
Students can get involved in anthropology research through field schools and research courses led by professors in the department. These experiences can help you gain hands-on training, build your resume, explore career paths, and prepare for graduate school.
Field Schools
The Department of Anthropology coordinates multiple field schools for students. Field schools are led by UConn anthropology professors and take place either in Connecticut or overseas. Participants enroll in Directed Field Research in Anthropology (ANTH 3090), allowing you to earn course credit off campus.
Field schools typically focuses on active and engaged learning, with intensive instruction on methods and gathering data. Our field schools take place in a variety of geographic locations depending upon the topic being investigated, and may include an archaeological site, a particular community, or an urban or rural setting.
We currently offer two types of annual summer field schools:
- Connecticut Archaeological Field Schools focus on battlefield, pre-contact, contact, and/or post-contact archaeology. The excavation sites and historical periods vary from year to year depending on the course instructor’s current research project.
- Overseas Anthropological Field Schools give students the chance to travel abroad to gain hands-on experience with ongoing faculty research projects. The department offers travel awards for anthropology students who are accepted into the overseas field schools.
The department advertises field school applications to students in the spring semester. Students apply through the Office of Experiential Global Learning.
Upcoming Field Schools
Summer Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School in Mauritius
Course type: Overseas Anthropological Field School
Course instructor: Dimitris Xygalatas
Course dates: July 11-Aug. 13, 2023
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2023
Battlefield, Domestic, and Contact Period Archaeology
Course type: Connecticut Archaeological Field School
Course instructor: Kevin McBride
Course dates: May 22-June 16, 2023
Research Courses
Anthropology students can also enroll in several classes to earn course credit while conducting research under the guidance of a faculty member.
UConn anthropology professors have research strengths across many concentrations and geographic regions, providing exciting opportunities for undergraduate research.
- ANTH 3090. Directed Field Research in Anthropology. The investigation of a sociocultural and/or archaeological problem in some domestic or foreign field location. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.
- ANTH 3096. Directed Laboratory Research in Anthropology. The investigation of a sociocultural and/or archaeological problem in a laboratory-based setting. Students may earn up to six credits.
- ANTH 3099. Independent Study. Research, archival, or text-based study of a specific topic with an instructor. Instructor approval required. Students may earn up to six credits.
If you would like to learn more about scheduling one of these courses, please reach out to a faculty member who works in the field you are interested in.