Anthropology Program
Understanding the human experience through the study of culture.

Why Study Anthropology at Butler?
Are you interested in the mystery of what it means to be human? Do you like to travel, learn different languages, and explore new ways of life? Do you ever wonder how new technologies from social media to memes change the way people express themselves and what they believe about the world and their place in it? Ever wondered why people in different parts of the world have different customs and traditions?
Well, we’ve got that covered. Anthropology is the science of what makes us human – all people, everywhere in the world and anytime in recorded history.
Butler’s anthropology program offers a variety of courses that focus on specific topics (such as social identities, family models, medical and health beliefs, art and creativity, myth and folklore, sports, religion, food, and more) and examine their cultural settings to explain not just how we live, but why it matters. As you study, you will develop social skills such as empathy, community engagement, and impactful communication.
Through fieldwork in course assignments, thesis projects, field schools, and/or study abroad, you will interact with different groups of people to investigate questions like: how they identify themselves through cultural practices such as storytelling and ritual, how they interact with each other, and how their way of life has changed over time. All this helps us to understand where we came from and to make informed decisions about where we go next.
As social scientists, our anthropology faculty work across multiple fields of specialized studies including History, Archaeology, Classics, Museum Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology, Psychology and interdisciplinary programs in Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Public Health, and International Studies to address the many mysteries of human complexities found in the cultural diversities and global connections that shape our world.
Take your learning outside the classroom.

Applied Learning
You will actively engage with fieldwork, internships, and scholarly methods in courses like Medical Anthropology & Museum Studies. All majors participate in our Capstone seminar synthesizing their research and writing skills into original final projects.

Critical Thinking
You will learn how to look at cultures and information analytically and creatively through our courses. Professors provide tools to help you make connections between theoretical methods and real life experiences.

Creativity in Context
You will complete non-traditional assignments engage in hands-on experiences to encourage learning and engagement.
Department of History, Anthropology & Classics
Jordan Hall, Room 349
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-940-9230