BA in Anthropology in Washington D.C. United States | American University

The Department of Anthropology at American University is committed to practicing public anthropology in pursuit of social justice. Our community of scholars and students actively combats systemic issues including racism, sexism, environmental destruction, species discrimination, social inequalities, class oppression, forced displacements, and other injustices. We employ anthropological rigor, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks to drive meaningful progressive transformation worldwide.

These are deeply troubling times both in the United States and internationally. White nationalist ideologies, state-sanctioned violence, ethnic conflicts, and the COVID-19 crisis disproportionately harm African American communities, leading to tragic deaths like those of George Floyd and Freddie Gray. Asian American and Pacific Islander communities likewise face escalating racially-motivated attacks and discrimination. Within our department, you'll encounter students and faculty who actively support and participate in movements like Black Lives Matter while standing with affected communities.

While our anthropological work advances global social justice and human rights efforts, we continually engage in critical self-reflection regarding our departmental practices. Both students and faculty collaborate to cultivate an academic environment rooted in principles of equity and justice for all.