Compare 8 PhD Programs in Anthropology

Anthropology seeks to understand the nature and origins of human biological variability, cultural diversity, and social formations through systematic exploration, scientific examination and the application of theory to human populations and their artifacts, including their social configurations, past and present.

Although anthropology has historically been most successful in the analysis of small sociocultural systems, its current challenge is to situate the direct objects of study in their global contexts in both space and time. The discipline draws freely on various fields of study in the humanities and in the social and natural sciences, and its diversity today is such that no single central mission earns a wide consensus.... [-]

The doctoral study program at FHS is organized into the full-time (4 years) and correspondence form of study. The program offers studies focused on philosophical, historical, socio-cultural and socio-linguistic anthropology and human ethology. The general aim of the program is to solidify the theoretical basics and methods of this field and master the methodology of academic research.

The curriculum of Ph.D. students includes:

The discipline is focused on physical anthropology and human biology, genetics, ecology, and ethology. It deals predominantly with ontogenetic and phylogenetic development of man, morphological variability and evolution of populations, ethnic anthropology and ethnology, human growth and its disorders, body composition and nutrition, the action of environmental and social factors on man, human behavior and with characteristics at various levels of the biologic organization and their heredity. Molecular genetics includes analyses of different human receptor genes and genetic polymorphisms in variable regions of human chromosomes. Applied specialties include forensic, functional, clinical and industrial anthropology. Special position occupies skeletal and dental anthropology.... [-]

The aim of the study is to prepare students for scientific research work at the level corresponding to the current requirements of science. In the new study, concept integrates physical anthropology, including genetics, ecology, and ethology, the sociocultural anthropology in a holistic approach to the study of humans and populations. The task of teaching, in general, is to learn the theoretical foundations of the field and mastering the techniques and methodology of scientific research work.

In physical anthropology, the methods include somatometry, osteometry, anthropological somatotopy, dermatoglyphic, basics of rent genometry and other morphological and morphometric approaches, including the newly introduced 3D non-contact techniques. Methods of molecular genetics entail PCR in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing, and restriction analysis methods. Research programs of the training center focused on tracking postnatal growth and development of children in normal and pathological, research on nutrition and obesity, the study of morphological variability in populations, the impact of environmental factors on the ontogenetic development of man, watching craniofacial growth of normal and abnormal congenital defects, evaluation dermatoglyphic characteristics particularly in relation to developmental disorders and to analyze the patterns of human behavior.... [-]

The Doctoral study programme comprises a thesis written under supervision that makes an original contribution to the field of Anthropology on a topic selected in consultation with the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies. A Doctoral defence (of the proposal and the thesis) is required in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Humanities. An article ready for publication on the thesis content is also required.

A Master’s Degree in Anthropology and a final course mark of at least 65% in the particular discipline.

Name: Prof David Moore Tel: 011 559 2979/2859 / Email: dbmoore@uj.ac.za

Duration: All SOAS PhD programmes are expected to take a maximum of 48 months fulltime (three years of full fees that includes one-year fieldwork, and one final year of continuation). The PhD programme may also be taken part-time. If taken part-time, it is normally expected that both the year-long fieldwork component and continuation year are taken full time.

Entry Requirements: a BA and/or MA degree in Anthropology, with a merit or equivalent in the Master's Degree and an MA dissertation grade of 65% (UK) or higher. Applicants must provide a clear and coherent research proposal of 2000 words.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time... [-]

The Ph.D. in Evolution and Behaviour is delivered by the Faculty of Arts and Science. Students in this program are normally supervised by Faculty members in the following contributing departments/areas: Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, and Psychology.

Research in this program focuses on the evolutionary processes responsible for shaping functionally organized behaviors in a wide variety of organisms. The research targets a range of different behaviors that address the critical life challenges facing these organisms, such as finding food and avoiding predators, attracting and selecting mates, rearing offspring, and negotiating extended networks of social relationships. The emphasis of the research is to examine the potential adaptive basis of different behaviour patterns and understand the underlying genetic, anatomical, physiological, and psychological mechanisms that guide them and their interactions with environmental processes.... [-]

PhD in Anthropology and Social Change

Anthropology and Social Change is a small, innovative graduate department with a particular focus on activist scholarship, militant research, and social change. Our unique approach to ethnographic research methodology dissolves traditional barriers between research and political activism, between insiders and outsiders, and between researchers and protagonists. Ethnography is a tool for "creating the conditions we describe." We engage in the process of co-research to explore existing alternatives and possibilities for social change.

Students learn how to apply the practice of direct action to the research process with the support of talented faculty. We set out to create the conditions we describe when our research begins to embody the values of the world we want to create.... [-]