ANTHR-PHD - Anthropology (PhD)
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Program Overview
The Anthropology PhD program provides excellent preparation for living and working in a multicultural and globally-interconnected world. It equips students for careers in various fields, including law, medicine, business, public service, environmental sustainability, and resource management. The PhD program approaches the rich legacy and ambitious scope of Anthropology through a shared commitment to long-term and embedded ethnographic, historical, and empirical studies of societies, communities, and mobile networks of people, things, and ideas. Our faculty and students engage significant questions that are of critical importance to people in many parts of the contemporary world – climate change, the legacy of the deep past, self-determination, economic inequalities, dependencies, health and affliction, racial discrimination, historical memory, public violence, the power of objects, inheritance and kinship, genetics and science, social segregation, urban aesthetics, and much more.
We are committed to a deep engagement of social theory, rigorous fieldwork and field methodologies. and a rich historical understanding of social and political action, shared beliefs, and cultural memory within the communities and societies we study. We are all generalists but also area specialists because we believe the human condition can only be properly understood in its specific cultural and historical manifestations.
The Anthropology PhD program is full time Doctoral students in the program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies. This ensures that students have access to advisors and mentors, libraries, and other resources that support timely progress towards completion of degree requirements. Additionally, being on campus ensures that students are part of the academic and campus community which supports continued scholarly and professional development.
Admissions Information
Information on how to apply for graduate study at Stanford is available on the university’s Graduate Admissions website. Application information specific to Anthropology can be found on https://anthropology.stanford.edu/academics/graduate-program.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
All required courses in Anthropology appropriate for the student’s chosen track must be passed with a minimum grade of B+. Students may pursue one of two possible Anthropology PhD program tracks. The tracks are Archaeology and Culture and Society. These tracks are not declarable in Axess and do not appear on the transcript or the diploma.
Enroll in Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarters
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Students are expected to enroll in Review Courses. Review Courses must be taken for 5 units, and students must receive a grade of B+ or higher.
To satisfy the Department Review Course requirement, graduate students must enroll in a minimum of three in the first year (Six total Review Courses over the course of two years of the PhD program)
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ANTHRO307 may be taken in either the first or second year of the PhD program.
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Autumn Quarter
By the last day of the first week of autumn quarter, submit the 1st Year PhD Plan of Study form detailing intended course enrollment to be completed in the first year of the PhD program.
Spring Quarter
By the end of spring quarter:
Pass three review courses appropriate to the chosen track.
Complete at least 50 units (minimum of 16-18 units enrolled in each quarter during the Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters; and, 1 unit, only, in summer quarter).
Confirm attendance and participation in the Anthropology Department Ethics Workshop as scheduled by the Department;
Complete the appropriate CITI IRB and tutorial for Responsible Conduct of Research.*
Schedule meeting with the Student Services manager and submit:
The 1st Year PhD Checklist including a faculty approved Summer Research proposal.
If applicable: If going into the field, submit Field Checkout List.
* Before departing for summer quarter field research in the first year, complete the appropriate CITI tutorial for non-medical human subjects and either submit a non-medical human subjects protocol, based on the Summer Research proposal, to the Institutional Review Board or confirm approval for exempt status.
Seminar Courses
Department of Anthropology Colloquium quarterly attendance (during the autumn, winter, and spring quarters) is required for all current first and second year cohort PhD students. Recommended for all other PhD students.
Course List | ||
Units | ||
|---|---|---|
Anthropology Colloquium | 1 | |
Anthropology Lunch Talk Series | 1 | |
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- 2137951
- 1101791
- 2242911
- 2230721
- 2100771
- 2242351
- 2001171
- 2173921
- 2203971
- 2111401
- 2162971
- 2099201
Students are expected to enroll in Review Courses. Review Courses must be taken for 5 units, and students must receive a grade of B+ or higher.
To satisfy the department review course requirement, graduate students must enroll in a minimum of six Review Courses in the first two years of PhD program.
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course may be taken in either the first of second year of the PhD program.
Required Courses for the Culture and Society Track
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Autumn Quarter
By the end of the first week:
Complete department requirement to be eligible for teaching experience [review funding letter].
Submit approved Plan of Study and discuss with your faculty mentor/advisor.
Winter Quarter
By the end of the Winter Quarter:
Confirm the qualifying examination committee chair for each examination committee (AREA and TOPIC) by submitting an email message to the faculty member and CC Student Services Manager.
Submit the Foreign Language Plan requesting approval. [See Language Requirement Section]
Submit the Application for Candidacy form. [See the Candidacy Section]
Spring Quarter
By the end of spring quarter:
Schedule meeting with the Student Services Manager
Submit the 2nd Year PhD Checklist.
Pass any remaining Review Courses (see above list) to complete the requirement of a minimum of six review courses by the end of the second year.
Complete at least 45 units of course work
minimum of 16-18 units each quarter during the autumn, winter, and spring quarters (exception teaching quarter 10 units only)
one unit only, enrolled in the summer quarter â€
Summer Quarter
By September 15th, meet with Faculty mentor/advisor to debrief and report on summer fieldwork
Milestones
Candidacy
Language Requirement
Seminar Courses
Department of Anthropology Colloquium quarterly attendance (during the autumn, winter, and spring quarters) is required for all current first and second year cohort PhD students. Recommended for all other PhD students.
Course List | ||
Units | ||
|---|---|---|
Anthropology Colloquium | 1 | |
Anthropology Lunch Talk Series | 1 | |
Students are expected to enroll in all required courses for a letter grade unless that option is not available. All required courses in Anthropology appropriate for the student's chosen track must be passed with a minimum grade of 'B+.'
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Enrollment for each directed reading course listed (Anthro 401A, Anthro 401B, Anthro 455) should be made in the quarter the qualifying examination has been scheduled (typically winter or spring) under the section of the Anthropology faculty chair for each.
Autumn Quarter
By last day of the second week of the quarter
Confirm the committee reader for each qualifying examination committee (Area & Topic)
By the first day of finals week:
Submit three draft Dissertation Research funding proposals to the faculty advisor for approval.
Submit a draft 3rd year Qualifying Examination Form [See Qualifying Exam Section for more details]
Winter Quarter
By end of week 2:
Submit a draft of the dissertation proposal to the dissertation reading committee
Confirm a scheduled meeting for the oral component of the qualifying examinations and the Dissertation Proposal Review, with the qualifying examination committee.
Spring Quarter
By end of week 8:
Oral Component and Dissertation Proposal Review must be completed
Receive approval for the non-medical human subjects protocol from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Schedule a pre-field check-out meeting with the Student Services Manager before departing for field research in the summer quarter.
Submit the 3rd Year PhD Checklist with the approved Dissertation Research Proposal
By the end of Spring quarter
Finish Qualifying Exams [See Qualifying Exam Section for more details]
Submit Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee Form. [See Qualifying Exam Section for more details]
Summer Quarter
Submit approved external funding proposals to at least three funding agencies by the end of the summer quarter in the third year.
Field research should start no later than the end of the 2nd week in the summer quarter of the third year.
Milestones
Qualifying Exams
Language Requirement
Dissertation Reading Committee
Departmental qualifying exams are held at the Winter and Spring Quarters of the third year to assess student knowledge of core subjects. Students are required to pass qualifying exams in their Area and Topic. Students who do not successfully pass qualifying examinations are provided a second attempt in consultation with their committee chairs and the DGS to re-write/re-take the qualifying examinations for area and topic. Students will need to pass no later than the last day of autumn quarter in the fourth year. Failure to pass qualifying exams on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the PhD program.
Additional details on Qualifying Exam procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbook https://anthropology.stanford.edu/intranet-login/graduate-student-center.
Once students reach TGR status, they must enroll in Anthro 802 for 0 units until completion of the degree
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Quarterly check-ins with Primary Advisor, other members of the DRC as needed
Submit the End of Fieldwork Checklist and schedule meeting with the Student Services Manager
Confirm a Teaching Plan for the Fifth year & beyond.
Upon completion of and return from approved field research, submit a report of the degree progress to the DRC.
Milestones
Field Research
Once students reach TGR status, they must enroll in Anthro 802 for 0 units until completion of the degree
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Recommended: Attend Anthro 400, Dissertation Writing Workshop
Submit chapter drafts of the dissertation to all members of the DRC for review quarterly.
Milestones
University Oral Exam
Dissertation Submission
Teaching is core to the academic and professional training of doctoral students in our program. All students are required to complete two quarters of teaching. Typically, students complete more than the required number of teaching quarters as part of their professional training and financial support.
Research is core to the academic and professional training of doctoral students in our program. The research requirement happens during the 4th year of residency in the program.
Fourth Year
Complete 4 quarters of field research.
Submit the End of Fieldwork Checklist and meet with the Student Services Manager.
Confirm date of return from fieldwork
Quarterly check-ins with Primary Advisor, other members of the DRC as needed
Upon completion and return from field research, submit a report of the degree progress to the DRC.
Additional details on Research Procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbook https://anthropology.stanford.edu/intranet-login/graduate-student-center.
Admission to candidacy is a prospective judgement by the faculty of a student’s potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Students are expected to complete qualifying procedures and apply for candidacy by the end of winter quarter in the second year in the program. Qualifying procedures in the Department of Anthropology include required coursework, identification of an advisor by the end of the first year of the program (Must be accomplished no later than Autumn of 2nd year if not, must schedule meeting with DGS), timely completion of degree milestones, faculty review and approval of the pre-dissertation research proposal, and demonstrating the ability to conduct independent research, analysis, and interpretation.
Timeline
Winter Quarter:
By the first day of finals week, submit the Application for Candidacy form.
Spring Quarter:
By end of week 8, submit the 2nd Year PhD Checklist. The date for submission of the final draft of the research proposal will be determined by the faculty instructor for the required proposal writing course for either the Archaeology track ANTHRO308B or the Culture and Society track ANTHRO308.
Failure to advance to candidacy will result in the student’s dismissal from the PhD degree program.
Additional details on candidacy procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbookhttps://anthropology.stanford.edu/intranet-login/graduate-student-
In the Department of Anthropology, the oral exam is a defense of the dissertation presented upon the completion of a substantial portion of the dissertation or upon completion of a pre-final draft. Students consult with their dissertation advisor and reading committee members on the timing of the defense.
Additional details on Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense) procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbook https://anthropology.stanford.edu/intranet-login/graduate-student-center.
After Oral Exam: Once the University Oral Examination has been passed, submit final DRC-approved dissertation to the university Registrar via Axess (Instructions to obtain approval), requesting conferral of the doctoral degree in Anthropology. Submit your Dissertation or Thesis Students are required to submit an approved dissertation that makes an original contribution to scholarship in the field of Anthropology. Students are expected to submit the dissertation in the same quarter the Oral Exam is passed and no later than one quarter after.
See Oral Exam section for Oral Exam Process (Dissertation Defense)
Additional details on submission procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbookhttps://anthropology.stanford.edu/intranet-login/graduate-student-center.
The Anthropology PhD language requirement ensures oral and reading proficiency in a language necessary for successful scholarship in a chosen field of study.
First Year
By the course withdrawal deadline in spring quarter, submit a Draft Foreign Language Plan detailing a draft language plan of study or requesting approval for satisfactory completion.
Second Year
By the first day of finals week in winter quarter of the Second year, submit an Updated Foreign Language Plan detailing an updated language plan of study or requesting approval for satisfactory completion.
The language requirement may be met via:
Academic, immersion, or homestay program for language study; or,
Tutoring or distance language study; or,
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS)-related or other programs supporting language study.