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Immersion in the Department of Anthropology

Bolster

We are developing several exciting Immersion options for students in anthropology and from other majors. You can read about how one student is completing their Immersion Project this semester.
There are several options for an Immersion program/project in the Department of Anthropology:

1. Complete an Honors Thesis.

Detailed information about completing an honors thesis is accessible on our page: "Honors Program."

2. Take two courses (6 credits) around a specific theme and complete a Capstone project through an independent study (3 credits).

Refer to Option 3 for course offerings.

3. Take two courses (6 credits) around a specific theme and complete a summer field school (related to your theme) run by Vanderbilt or another accredited college. It is also acceptable to include classes from another department within your research theme.

Courses and Themes for Options 2 and 3 are listed below and can be referenced [as of 03.16.21] in the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Catalog on page 218 accessible HERE.

A. Environment, landscape, and place

ANTH 2109, 2113, 2114, 2150, 2160, 2214, 2220, 2221, 2222, 2225, 2227, 3121, 3138, 3200, 3240, 3250, 4154, 4155)

B. Healing, medicine, and culture

ANTH 2113/W, 2227, 2342, 2370, 3121, 3125, 3138, 3143, 3144, 3145, 3343, 3344, 3345, 3346, 3371, 3372, 4345, 4373

C. Social politics and power

ANTH 2105, 2106, 2108, 2109, 2110, 2130, 2242, 2342, 2375, 3121, 3122, 3125, 3130, 3132, 3133, 3134, 3135, 3138, 3161, 3162, 3241, 3232, 3243, 3250, 3343, 3345, 4152, 4153

D. Identity, ethnicity, gender

ANTH 2105, 2110, 2113W, 2160/W, 2227, 2375, 3144, 3145, 3343

E. Biocultural foundations in health, genetics, forensics, and ethics

ANTH 2227, 2342, 2370, 2371, 3138, 3141, 3143, 3344, 3345, 3446, 3371, 3372, 4345, 4373

F. Language, cognition, and culture

ANTH 2601, 2602, 2603, 3140, 3150/W, 3243/W, 3620, 3622/W, 4155, 5614, 6614, 6615

4. Combine one or two courses with research in a lab [or see "G" below]. Options: take one course related to the research theme and conduct 6 hours of research per week in the Fall and Spring semesters. Or take two courses related to the research and conduct 6 hours of research per week in one semester or 3 hours per week for Fall and Spring semesters. Or combine coursework, lab work, and an internship.

Within the Department of Anthropology, possible lab research opportunities include, but are not limited to:

A. Jada Benn Torres’ Genetic Anthropology and Bio-Cultural Studies Lab

B. Sophie Bjork-James’ Reproductive Politics Lab

C. Markus Eberl’s Ancient Artifacts Lab

D. Norbert Ross’s Theatre and Social Change Lab

E. Tiffiny Tung’s Bioarchaeology & Stable Isotope Research Lab

F. Steve Wernke’s Spatial Analysis Research Laboratory

G. Students can also work with faculty without traditional labs, collaborating on work that involves translations, literature reviews, archival research, developing a web site or video, creating ceramics or other art or archaeological forms, etc. We encourage creativity in developing these projects!

5. Study abroad for a semester.

To learn more about studying abroad, resources are available through the Global Education Office.

6. Internship experience.

Students can work with their faculty advisors and the Career Center to find a summer internship within their research interests. For example, Norbert Ross’ work with ACTUEMOS!, an NGO in El Salvador working with marginalized populations through direct community engagement and community support work, has opportunities for both in-person and remote internships.

7. Build-your-own option.

Students can work one-on-one with a faculty member to complete their own individualized Immersion plan.