BA in Anthropology - Indigenous Worlds in Charlottesville United States | University of Virginia

This concentration introduces students to ethnographic research and anthropological theories focused on Indigenous communities. For anthropologists, "Indigenous" typically encompasses the knowledge systems and perspectives of diverse global communities that inform our discipline. Within American academic settings, the term often relates to the First Peoples of the Western Hemisphere, incorporating Native American Studies. On an international level, Indigenous rights movements represent significant political forces, gathering at platforms like the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the World Conservation Congress. The program adopts a comprehensive approach, exploring these varied viewpoints and scales while maintaining the complexity of Indigenous identities. Students will explore diverse human experiences, examining historical colonial interactions alongside modern Indigenous engagements with sustainability, healthcare systems, and ecological stewardship. The concentration provides distinctive interdisciplinary learning opportunities in two of UVA's strengths: Indigenous artistic expressions and museum studies, along with environmental humanities.