Anthropology

Anthropologists are not just observers of the societies they study but also participants in them—whether cities or villages, laboratories or rainforests, refugee camps or colonial archives. Through courses and fieldwork in anthropology, you learn about human affairs not just from a bird's-eye view but from perspectives revealed through immersion in diverse contexts and communities. Through in-depth explorations of key contemporary issues, you address the nexus of nature and culture, past and future, and the local and the global.

Anthropology majors at Lang acquire a comprehensive knowledge of anthropology and its key concepts, methods, new approaches, and critical texts. Our interdisciplinary approach also promotes dialogue with other fields such as history, economics, environmental studies, psychology, urban studies, philosophy, and media studies.

Major requirements

Minor requirements

Lang continues to offer courses and co-curricular opportunities in anthropology. Students who begin their studies at Lang in fall 2026 or after can continue to explore this subject through:

• The Anthropology minor.
  
• Topical courses in anthropology, such as Urban Anthropology and Cultures of Memory Making and Unmaking.
  
• Programming and events hosted by institutes such as the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility and the Multispecies Lab.
• Fellowships and grants such as the Lang Social Science Fellowship at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. One recent grant supported a student in making a low-budget film about a road trip that was informed by his anthropology classes.
• Internships and independent work in the community. Students have recently interned at Human Language and Development Lab and the American Museum of Natural History.
• Lang’s annual Dean’s Honor Symposium, in which students connect their interests and scholarship with experiences outside of the classroom and in context with one another.

Global Perspectives

• Learn from an international anthropology faculty that has conducted research in Europe, South America, Indonesia, South Asia, China, Japan, Africa, and the United States.

• Gain firsthand experience studying and collaborating across cultures through study abroad and exchange programs.

• Take foreign language courses that will help you navigate national and global cultures.

Connecting to New York City

While it offers the atmosphere and intimacy of a small college, Eugene Lang College is part of The New School, a major progressive university in New York City. Our campus location in the heart of Greenwich Village allows anthropology students to engage in fieldwork that examines human life in New York City. There are also opportunities for civic engagement and internships with nearby organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of the City of New York, Neighborhood Preservation Center, and Amnesty International.

Career Paths

Education at Eugene Lang College is designed to develop well-rounded and engaged citizens who are thoughtful, articulate, and creative. Anthropology majors go on to pursue advanced studies in anthropology, organizational psychology, and other disciplines in the social sciences and humanities and careers in law, healthcare, business, social and public service, international and nongovernmental organizations, marketing and market research, museum work, and other fields. Consult our 4-Year Lang Career Pathways Map (PDF) for helpful steps and resources to link your academic journey to your future plans. 

If you are planning to pursue graduate studies in anthropology, consider applying to the Bachelor's-Master's program, which enables you to earn graduate credits that apply to both your Lang degree and a graduate anthropology or liberal studies degree at The New School for Social Research.

Outcomes at Lang