social anthropology phd harvard

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Anthropology Research

• Social Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Medical Anthropology

Susan Gilman, Library Liaison for Anthropology

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment to discuss your research contact me!

Background Information / Overviews

• Annual Reviews    (Harvard Key required) 

Searches review articles, including the Annual Review of Anthropology.

• Oxford Bibliographies   (Harvard Key required) 

Articles that are written and reviewed by scholars, which provide an overview of a topic and an annotated bibliography. ​

• Very Short Introductions Online    (Harvard Key required) 

Concise introductions to a diverse range of subjects. 

Books / Book Reviews

• Anthropology Plus   (Harvard Key required) 

A good source for finding book reviews, both historical and current. 

• Google Books   (some content  free / open  access) 

A useful tool for searching within books and seeing book previews. 

• HOLLIS  (some content   free / open  access) 

Contains information about the many different types of items held in the Harvard Library.

Articles / Review Articles

• Academic Search Premier  (Harvard Key required) 

A general-purpose database covering scholarly journals as well as more mainstream publications.

Searches the major literature, including journals, in anthropology and related fields. 

• AnthroSource  (Harvard Key required) 

Searches journals published by the American Anthropological Association.

• Google Scholar   (some content  free / open  access) 

Searches many different types of publications across a variety of disciplines. Learn how to connect Google Scholar to your library access. 

• JSTOR   (Harvard Key required) 

Searches many different types of publications across a variety of disciplines.  

• View More:  Harvard Library Databases Search Page

See all of the Harvard Library's databases. 

Ethnographies

• Anthropological Fieldwork Online   (Harvard Key required) 

Contains primary sources related to landmark ethnographies written by anthropologists like Bronislaw Malinowski and Ruth Benedict. 

• Anthropology Online   (Harvard Key required) 

Brings together a wide range of written ethnographies, field notes, seminal texts, memoirs, and contemporary studies.

• Ethnographic Video Online   (Harvard Key required) 

A large video streaming library of ethnographic films and documentaries. 

A useful tool for searching within books. Once you find a book that you are interested in, check HOLLIS to see if Harvard owns it. When searching, include the terms ethnography or ethnographic. 

• HOLLIS   (some content  free / open  access) 

Contains information about the many different types of items held in the Harvard Library. When searching, include the terms ethnography or ethnographic.  ​

• HRAF World Cultures   (Harvard Key required) 

Contains a variety of primary source materials on over 400 cultures. 

Images / Film

• ARTstor   (some content  free / open  access) 

Contains images from museums, libraries, and archives from all over the world. 

A large video streaming library of ethnographic films and documentaries.  ​

• Google Arts & Culture   ( free / open  access) 

Contains images from over 130 museums from around the world.

• HOLLIS  Images   (some content  free / open  access) 

Includes content from archives, museums, libraries, and other collections throughout Harvard University.

Dissertations / Theses

• DASH   ( free / open  access) 

Harvard's central, open-access repository for research by Harvard community members. Contains Harvard anthropology dissertations from 2012-present and some undergraduate theses.

Find dissertations and theses written by scholars from Harvard. 

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses  (Harvard Key required) 

Find dissertations and theses written by scholars from North American universities. Most post-1990 titles are available with full-text.

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Social Anthropology

Entry requirements.

A previous background of study in anthropology is not a prerequisite for admissions. However, successful candidates, whether they have studied anthropology previously or not, must be able to state clearly their interests in anthropology and demonstrate familiarity with intellectual issues in current anthropological theory and method. Generally, successful applicants have a strong background in either a geographic, cultural region and/or a particular topical or theoretical interest in anthropology. The personal statement is required as part of the application and should make such backgrounds and interests very clear. Prior preparation in languages related to an applicant’s intended area or areas of specialization is advantageous. Current language abilities should be explained in the application essay. Students in the graduate program are required to demonstrate that they have sufficient abilities for research in both a language they will use for conducting fieldwork and in a language in which there is a body of anthropological writing relevant to their proposed research.

Months of entry

Course content.

The graduate program in social anthropology focuses on issues of globalism, ethnic violence, gender studies, “new” nationalisms, diaspora formation, transnationalism and local experience, medical anthropology, and the emerging cultures of cyberspace. Our mission is to develop new methodologies for an anthropology that tracks cultural developments in a global economy increasingly defined by the Internet and related technologies. Our graduate students (drawn from over 30 countries) expect to work in the worlds of academe, government, NGOs, law, medicine, and business. Knowing that material culture is a key element in the study of globalism and the new world economy, we work closely with staff from Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, who share our interests in redefining the study of popular culture, art, and the origins of industrial society. Research at the museum also makes it possible for us to maintain close ties to our departmental colleagues in the archaeology program. Faculty members have built ties to colleagues in the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard's regional centers (e.g., Davis Center of Russian Studies, Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and Asia Center), the Barker Center for Humanities, the Afro-American Studies program, and the professional schools (especially the Harvard Medical School).

Fees and funding

5 years’ funding is guaranteed to all Harvard PhD students. British citizens who are – or will be – graduates of British universities should check out both Kennedy Scholarships and Frank Knox Fellowships Both of these awards typically offer full tuition and health insurance coverage and a generous stipend towards living expenses. They are offered annually in competition. A Frank Knox Fellowship can be particularly welcomed during the early stages of a doctoral degree and both awards offer considerable personal support from their networks. Please note that you will need to submit your application to either or both awards ahead of the deadline for your Harvard application. Kennedy Scholarship and Frank Knox Fellowship applications are to be made online via their websites between mid-August and late-October in the same application season as you will submit your application to Harvard. Please also note they are totally separate from, and independent of, admission to the program. Awards made at interview in London in January are provisional, pending confirmation of a place on the course. See both websites for full information.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

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• PhD Program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies

Admissions to the PhD in Anthropology and MES has been paused and will not be accepting applications for fall 2024.

The joint program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies is designed for students interested in enriching their program of study for the PhD in Anthropology with firsthand knowledge about the Middle East based on literacy in its languages and an understanding of its cultural traditions. As a student in an interdisciplinary program you are a full member of the Department of Anthropology cohort, but also have an intellectual home at CMES and access to CMES faculty, facilities, and resources.

Students in the joint PhD Program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies fulfill all the  requirements for the PhD in Social Anthropology  in addition to the language and area studies requirements established by the Committee on Middle Eastern Studies.

Language Requirements

Each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one of the following European languages: German, French, Italian, or Russian. This requirement may be fulfilled either by a departmental examination or by satisfactory completion of two years of language study. The student must also demonstrate a thorough knowledge of a modern Middle Eastern language: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. Depending on the student’s specialization, another Middle Eastern or Islamic language (e.g., Kurdish, Urdu) may be substituted with the approval of the Committee on Joint PhD Programs. The expectation is that the student learn the languages necessary to teach and work in his or her chosen field.

Program of Study in Anthropology and MES

The graduate program in social anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies requires a minimum of sixteen half-courses, three of which are in Middle Eastern history, economics, religion, or political science, and twelve of which are in anthropology. The twelve required anthropology half-courses include the proseminar “History and Theory of Social Anthropology” (2650a and b); a half-course on the ethnography of one’s area of specialization is recommended but not required. A half-course in archaeology is recommended but not required. First-year students must attain at least a B+ in each half of the proseminar.

A list of current Middle East–related courses is available on this site at the beginning of each semester ; the Anthropology Department courses are available at my.harvard.edu .

Social anthropology PhD candidates are required to take written and oral examinations toward the end of their third term of study. Candidates must pass these examinations before they may continue their PhD work. More details are available in the Department of Anthropology’s  Program Guidelines for students .

Dissertation

The dissertation prospectus must be read and approved by a committee of three faculty members no later than the end of the third year. The dissertation will normally be based on fieldwork conducted in the Middle East, or in other areas of the world with close cultural ties to the region, and should demonstrate the student’s ability to use source material in one or more relevant Middle Eastern languages. Satisfactory progress of PhD candidates in the writing stage is determined on the basis of the writing schedule the student arranges with his or her advisor.

Timeline for Student Progress and Degree Completion

• Coursework: One to three years.
• Examinations: General exams must be passed by the end of the second year of study.
• Dissertation Prospectus: Must be approved by the end of the third year.
• Dissertation Defense and Approval: The candidate’s dissertation committee decides when the dissertation is ready for defense. The doctorate is awarded when the candidate passes a defense of the dissertation.
• Graduation: The program is ideally completed in six years.

For more details on these guidelines, see the Middle Eastern Studies section  of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) Policies site and the Department of Anthropology’s guidelines for PhD students in social anthropology . Admissions information can be found in the Applying to CMES  section of this site and on the Harvard Griffin GSAS website .

• Applying to CMES
• Concurrent AB/AM Program
• PhD Program in History and Middle Eastern Studies
• PhD Program in History of Art and Architecture and Middle Eastern Studies
• Recent PhD Dissertations
• Funding for PhD Students
• Middle Eastern Language Study
• Middle East-related Courses
• Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies

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• Social Sciences (Anthropology, Ethnography, and Political Science)

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Francis Schüssler Fiorenza

Michael D. Jackson

Ousmane Oumar Kane

Arthur Kleinman

Dan McKanan

Malika Zeghal

• Areas of Study
• Archaeology
• Critical Theory
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Literary Studies and the Arts
• Religious Thought (Philosophy and Theology)

Anthropology Master’s Degree Program

Online Courses

11 out of 12 total courses

On-Campus Experience

2 weekends or one 3-week summer course

$3,220 per course

Explore human cultures and societies.

Gain a deep understanding of global complexities and their implications on the human experience.

Program Overview

Through the graduate degree in the field of anthropology you:

• Build a foundation in the theories and methods of anthropology through the investigation of the material culture of past societies.
• Enhance your understanding of the similarities and differences across cultures, including their origins and their contemporary implications for ideology, religion, gender, land use, ethnic conflict, race, and current political and environmental crises.
• Choose between an individual one-on-one thesis research project or a final capstone project completed in community with your fellow candidates.
• Earn an optional graduate certificate in social justice.

Program Benefits

Customizable path

Expert instructors, including faculty from Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Personalized academic advising

A faculty-supported thesis or applied research project

Paid research opportunities

Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

Our course curriculum is flexible in pace and customizable by design. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your career goals.

As you work through the 12-course program, you’ll have the opportunity to examine topics focused on identity and social justice. You can further customize your studies by selecting either a thesis or capstone track and by choosing electives that align with your interests.

11 Online Courses

• Primarily synchronous
• Fall, spring, January, and summer options

You’ll complete 1 on-campus course at an accelerated or standard pace:

• A 3-week summer session

Thesis or Capstone Track

• Thesis: a 9-month independent research project with a faculty advisor
• Capstone: an academic project in a classroom community

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

You first register for and complete 3 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Getting Started

We invite you to explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

Our Community at a Glance

Our working adult students don't need to wait to finish their degrees to start enjoying the career benefits of their Harvard education. Well over 50% of graduates every year report to us that simply completing courses toward their degrees contributes to career benefits.

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will receive your Harvard University degree — a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Anthropology.

Download: Anthropology Master's Degree Fact Sheet

Average Age

Average Courses Taken Each Semester

Work Full Time

Would Recommend the Program

Professional Experience in the Field

Pursued for Career Change or Personal Enrichment

Be part of the community. The people at the Extension School have life experience, knowledge, and diversity, all of which is absolutely critical.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Coffee Chat: All About Liberal Arts Programs at HES

Are you interested in learning more about liberal arts graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Attendees joined us for an informational webinar where they had the opportunity to connect with program directors, academic advisors, and alumni.

Stackable Certificate

• Social Justice Graduate Certificate

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

PhD in Social Policy

In this section.

• Current Students
• PhD Student Life
• Degree Requirements
• What We Look For

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy combine the disciplinary depth of a PhD in political science or sociology with multidisciplinary perspectives and problem-driven research on questions of social policy.

As a joint venture between the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences'  Government and Sociology departments and Harvard Kennedy School, the program is designed for students like you who have broad interests in social policy problems and solutions, spanning topics such as:

• Economic inequality
• Wealth distribution (including high-end wealth accumulation)
• Race and ethnicity
• Poverty and social mobility
• Family dynamics
• Workplace inequities
• Health disparities
• Crime and criminal punishment
• Immigration
• Local politics, neighborhoods, and segregation
• Educational access and inequality
• Political participation and political inequality  

The “discipline-plus” model

The PhD Programs in Social Policy are grounded by a “discipline-plus” structure. You will build a strong foundation in either political science or sociology before embarking on a sequence of multidisciplinary seminars and advanced research in social policy—all of which will focus primarily on the United States and Western Europe.

Research at the core

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy are targeted toward producing scholars whose research puts them at the forefront of studying key problems in social policy. The skills and cross-disciplinary insights you develop will allow you to identify important unanswered questions and create research strategies that improve our understanding of social problems.

Graduates of the joint PhD Programs in Social Policy leave the program well equipped to pursue careers in leading political science or sociology departments, public policy schools, law schools, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and in the public sector. 

Social Science

The Division of Social Science  seeks to innovate and excel in creating and passing on social science knowledge, with the goal of enriching our understanding of human society and relationships and improving people’s lives. FAS Social Science engages and powerfully responds to the challenges and opportunities of our times, including social injustice, inequality, threats to democratic institutions, global warming, and more. To learn more about academics in the Division of Social Science, including  undergraduate and graduate programs and research initiatives , visit the  Division of Social Science website .

• African & African-American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• History of Science
• Social Studies
• Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
• Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
• Institute for Quantitative Social Science
• Center for Geographic Analysis
• Harvard-MIT Data Center
• Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
• Harvard Academy for International & Area Studies
• Program on US-Japan Relations
• Asia Center
• Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute
• Harvard China Fund
• Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies
• Edwin O. Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies
• Korea Institute
• Davis Center for Russian & Eurasian Studies
• Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies
• Center for Middle Eastern Studies
• Center for African Studies
• Hutchins Center for African & African-American Research
• Center for American Political Studies
• Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History
• David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies
• Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics
• Opportunity Insights

Program Type

• Combined Degree (4)
• Degree Granting (72)
• Summer Programs (1)
• Visiting Students (4)

Academic Areas

• Arts & Architecture (4)
• Biological Sciences (4)
• Engineering & Applied Sciences (10)
• Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (14)
• History (14)
• Humanities (22)
• Languages (9)
• Mathematics (2)
• Medical Sciences (7)
• Physical Sciences (6)
• Social Sciences (21)

Degrees Offered

• AB/AM, AB/SM (1)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (68)
• Master of Arts (AM) (8)
• Master of Engineering (ME) (2)
• Master of Science (SM) (4)

GRE Requirement

• Not Accepted (28)
• Optional (28)
• Required (14)

African and African American Studies

American studies, anthropology, applied mathematics, applied physics, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning, bioengineering, biological and biomedical sciences, biological sciences in public health.

Diversifying America's Leaders: The Role of College Admissions

Description

Could highly selective private colleges increase the socioeconomic diversity of America's leaders by changing their admissions policies? Join us for a deep dive into legacy admissions, and the causal effects of admission at colleges across the United States.

• Raj Chetty , William A. Ackman Professor of Economics and Director of Opportunity Insights 
• David Deming , Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy and Academic Dean at the Harvard Kennedy School 
• Susan Dynarski (Moderator) Patricia Albjerg Graham Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education

Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person. All JFK Jr. Forums are publicly livestreamed on our YouTube channel .

Accessibility

The IOP encourages persons with disabilities to participate in our programs. If you have questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, please contact 617-495-1360 or [email protected] in advance of the event. The Forum is currently closed to those without a Harvard ID, and RSVPs are required for in-person attendance.

Event Details

RSVP with a valid Harvard email address (in-person attendance) Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Time: 6:00pm EST Where: JFK Jr. Forum, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138 RSVP for In-Person Seat

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Social Studies

Undergraduate Program

Social Studies was founded in 1960 by a distinguished group of faculty who believed that the study of the social world requires an integration of the disciplines of history, political science, economics, sociology, and anthropology. For over five decades, Social Studies has brought together outstanding teachers and intellectually engaged students who share a fascination with social science research and theory and a deep interest in applying social science to contemporary social, economic, and political problems.