Princeton University - The Graduate School

The aim of the Department of Anthropology is to prepare students for effective and knowledgeable teaching, and for useful and creative research in anthropology. The application of the anthropological point of view outside educational institutions and in public policy matters is considered to be an important one. The doctor of philosophy in anthropology is the final degree in the graduate program.

Upon admission to the department, each student is assigned an adviser whose special field corresponds most closely to the interest expressed in the student’s application. A new adviser subsequently may be appointed on the initiative of either the student or the adviser. The student and the adviser together then work out a plan of study that is reviewed at least twice a year. This plan includes enrollment in ANT 501, 502, the Proseminar in Anthropology, which provides preparation for the first-year segment of the general examination, and one seminar attended by all first- and second-year graduate students. In addition to three departmental courses, students may take one reading course. Upon admission, students are expected to have had undergraduate training in general anthropology, though this need not be equivalent to an undergraduate major. Students deficient in this respect may supplement the graduate program with undergraduate courses. Exceptional preparation is reflected in a more advanced plan of study. Additionally, it is hoped that every graduate student will have an opportunity to assist in teaching as a significant part of their graduate education.

Language Requirement
The candidate is required to demonstrate competence in one foreign language of anthropological scholarship. Students are expected to fulfill this requirement early in the fall of their first year of study. Satisfaction of the language requirement is a prerequisite for the general examination.

General Examination
The general examination consists of four parts. The first part, taken during the spring of the first year, is a comprehensive examination of the basics of social/cultural anthropology. Areas covered generally include, but are not limited to, analysis of ethnographic examples, kinship studies, major theoretical developments in the discipline, political and economic organization, and systems of meaning. A basic reading list is provided to students early in the first term, and ANT 501, 502, the Proseminar in Anthropology, deals with an important part of these readings.

The second and third parts of the general examination, to be taken in the spring of the second year, consist either of examinations on topics chosen by the student, or a combination of two major research papers, or a single integrated paper of equivalent length and substance. The particular topics, chosen by the student in consultation with the respective examination committee members, concern an ethnographic area focus and a theoretical/subfield focus. Topics may be closely related to the student’s intended area of dissertation research. In addition, an oral examination is administered on an approved bibliography submitted by students in the fall term of topics of his or her choosing. All portions of the general examination are graded on a pass/fail basis. The designation “with distinction” may be awarded to either year of generals.

Finally, each student makes a presentation of his or her proposed dissertation fieldwork (doctoral research) to faculty and students. The proposal is submitted in writing to an adviser for assessment; after approval, it is presented orally for discussion with the faculty and student body. This portion of the research requirement is graded on a pass/fail basis. The proposals are generally completed no later than the fall term of the third year.

M.A. Requirements
Students qualify for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree by successfully completing all coursework through two years of study, completion of the language requirement, and passing the first part of the general examination.

Dissertation
The student who has qualified in the general examination submits a dissertation based on original research. This research is supervised by a committee of four advisers, one of whom serves as chair and principal adviser. Departmental acceptance of the dissertation qualifies the candidate for the final public oral examination. This examination is based on the dissertation but extends beyond it to matters of the discipline as a whole and confirms the candidate’s readiness for a career in the profession. In order to defend in May of any year, a candidate must submit a complete dissertation draft by February 15 to his or her principal adviser.

Teaching Requirements
All graduate students are expected to assist in teaching an undergraduate course at some point during their residence at Princeton, unless there is no opportunity to do so.

Anthropology

ANT 500    Responsible Conduct of Research in Sociocultural Anthropology
      Rena S. Lederman, John W. Borneman, Carol J. Greenhouse
A half-term seminar-style course covering the elements of the responsible conduct of research (RCR) for sociocultural anthropologists, including: fieldwork; teaching, mentoring, and assessment; publication and peer review, intellectual property; funding. Required of all Anthropology graduate students, beginning with second-years; open to students in other departments seeking RCR certification in a course designed for ethnographers. Completion satisfies the University RCR training requirement.

ANT 501    Proseminar in Anthropology
      Staff
A two-term survey of major anthropological writings, primarily for first-year graduate students.

ANT 502    Proseminar in Anthropology
      Staff
A two-term survey of major anthropological writings, primarily for first-year graduate students.

ANT 508    Theories of Symbolic Action
      James W. Fernandez
The properties of symbolic action (ritual, political ceremony, drama, psychotherapy) are explored and related to processes such as social integration, modernization, and psychological conflict.

ANT 521    Topics in Theory and Practice of Anthropology - Fall
      Staff
A selected topic in anthropology is studied, the particular choice varies from year to year.

ANT 541    Topics in Social Anthropology
      Staff
Course explores the ethics and politics of field research, with special attention to differences between anthropology and its disciplinary neighbors, as well as shifting ideas about "the field" and relations between researchers, their interlocutors, and audiences. It also considers practical matters like participant observation, interviewing, fieldnotes, and other research sources.

ANT 550/EAS 550    Topics in Social Theory and East Asia
      Amy B. Borovoy
An introduction to classical social theory and an exploration of new directions in historical and social science literatures on East Asia. Weber's copnstruction of capitalism, Durkheim's notion of society, and Marx's concept of ideology all continue to inform contemporary East Asian studies; in turn, East Asian Studies has also been central to demonstrationg the Eurocentrism of many of these theories.

ANT 570    Interdisciplinary Research
      Staff
Course examines selected problems of joint concern to anthropology and other disciplines such as architecture, communications research, economics, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, science, and urban studies.