Cultural Anthropology PhD

Program Code: G-CA-PHD
Degree Designation: Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Cultural Anthropology Department
Website: culturalanthropology.duke.edu/graduate/phd

Program Summary

 The department offers graduate work leading to the PhD in cultural anthropology. On the way to the PhD students may also acquire a master’s. Students are expected to take an active role in development of their own research goals and plan of study, compiling a portfolio of papers and other writing over the first three years.

Applications for admission to both the PhD and JD/MA programs are accepted every year. Review the departmental website for more information.

Academic Requirements

Requirements include courses in anthropological theory, cross disciplinary coursework, and spoken and/or written competence in at least one foreign language, at the level appropriate to the planned research program. The core courses include two year-long sequences: Cultural Anthropology 801S and 802S (Theories in Cultural Anthropology), required of first-year graduate students, and research/grant writing seminar Cultural Anthropology 803S (Research Methods) and 804 (Grant Writing), required in the fourth and fifth semesters. Preliminary field research is required in the summer following the first and second years of classes.

The Guidelines for Graduate Students in the Doctoral Program in Cultural Anthropology fully describes these and additional requirements and the detailed steps in the student’s graduate career.