Anthropology stands at the crossroads of the humanities and social sciences. It is the comparative science of human thought, experience, and behavior in all its social forms. Blending core commitments to deep empirical analysis, to field and archival research techniques, and to advancing social theory; anthropology is one of the most vibrant and diverse fields of research in the human sciences, today. It is also one of the most flexible and well-rounded undergraduate majors in the liberal arts, preparing students for careers in fields like journalism, community organizing, humanitarian aid, and historic preservation. In an increasingly global era, anthropological thinking has become part of the equipment of modern life.
The Department of Anthropology is located on the fifth floor of Sewall Hall, in the southeast corner of Rice's Academic Quad. The department is conveniently accessible from the Founder's Court Visitor Lot, via Entrances 1 and 2.