Academic Opportunities
Senior Thesis
Senior theses are intended to provide students with an opportunity to do intense research and writing in any area of anthropology under the mentorship of at least one member of the anthropology faculty. A senior thesis may be based on original research, library research, or a combination of the two, but should build on a student’s previous coursework in anthropology. It should include a thorough review of relevant previous literature and develop an original argument on the topic. In addition to a written paper, students are expected present their research to the public.
All senior theses are considered Mentored Advanced Projects (MAPs), but not all MAPs are senior theses. A senior thesis requires a distinct application process. To learn more about the thesis and associated deadlines, please visit our Senior Thesis Guidelines page and talk to your advisor.
Departmental Annual Awards
Asrelsky Prize
The Rachael Asrelsky Anthropology Paper Prize is given annually to the author of an outstanding paper written for an anthropology class in honor of Rachael Asrelsky ’89 who died in the Lockerbie bombing while returning from an off-campus program. Students are nominated by departmental faculty.
Luebben Award
The Ralph Luebben Prize in Anthropology is awarded annually to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the ideal anthropology student including meritorious scholarly work, breadth in the discipline, field experience, and an anthropological viewpoint on life.
Archaeologist, anthropologist, teacher, and scholar — Ralph A. Luebben was the first full-time professor of anthropology at Grinnell College, the first tenured anthropologist on the faculty, the first chair of an autonomous department of anthropology, and the founder of the department’s summer archaeological field school. Ralph Luebben’s affiliation with Grinnell began in 1957. Luebben retired from Grinnell College in 1983–84. In honor of Luebben’s many contributions to the department, the Department of Anthropology solicited funds from colleagues and former students and established an endowment fund for the Luebben Prize. Luebben passed away on Oct. 19, 2009.
Departmental Grants and Research Funds for Students
Emeritus Professors’ Student Research Fund
The Department of Anthropology honors the legacy of its distinguished emeritus professors, D. Douglas Caulkins, Ron Kurtz, and Ralph Luebben, through the Anthropology Emeritus Professors’ Student Research Fund. These competitive funds are intended to expand current student research opportunities when normal College funds are not available. The funds may be used for research or expenses related to travel to disseminate the results of research (such as conference attendance).
During the academic year, any student majoring in anthropology, taking an anthropology course for which they need the funding, or being mentored by an anthropology faculty member may apply for up to $500. For summer research or travel, students may apply for up to $1000. Applications should be prepared by students using the instructions below.
Paul Simmons ’79 and Michele Clark International Research and Learning Fund
Paul Simmons ’79 and Michele Clark believe that the study of anthropology is critical to further understanding of the archeological, biological, cultural, and linguistic evidence about the forces that shape human development and behavior as well as our past, current, and future social order and communities. Through this fund, they want to help provide students with life-changing global exposure and equip them with the research, critical thinking, information literacy, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that the world needs today and that the future demands.
To read more about Simmons and Clark and their thinking behind the fund, check out the story, “New anthropology travel fund allows students to examine foreign cultures.”
Funds may be used at the discretion of the department to support students. The fund will prioritize support for immersive and internationally-based student learning and research experiences in the field of anthropology, including mentored research, independent fieldwork, and course-embedded travel.
When possible, preference will be given to funding (in order of priority):
- Students demonstrating financial need, as determined in consultation with the Office of Admission and Financial Aid
- Research and learning experiences geographically based in Latin America
- Projects or experiences involving the study of agricultural communities
Funds are available to all current Grinnell College students planning to engage in projects with significant anthropological learning potential. In the case that there are insufficient funds to cover all requests, preference will be given to majors followed by students who have taken anthropology courses or are being mentored by anthropology faculty. Students may apply for up to $2,000 in funding during the semesters and winter break and up to $4,000 in funding for the summer.
To Apply for Departmental Grants or Research Funds
Interested students should first discuss the opportunity with their anthropology advisor or with the chair of the department. After this consultation, they may submit a proposal to the department chair of no more than two pages single-spaced providing the following information:
- description of the proposed project
- brief explanation of how the project relates to the student’s academic or career interests
- brief explanation of the student’s preparation to carry out the project
- If the project will take place off-campus, what logistical or field support will the student receive? What permissions, if any, have been obtained to carry out the project at the proposed site(s)?
- detailed budget
For funding during the academic year, applications will be reviewed by the department on a rolling basis. Proposals for summer projects should be submitted by the last Friday in April. Funding decisions will be based on the quality of the proposal and opportunity, the funding priority guidelines, and the availability of funds.
Fund recipients will be required to provide a written summary and personal reflection on the experience within two weeks of returning. Depending on the experience, recipients may also be required to present their work to faculty and students. When applicable, copies of receipts and/or letters of acceptance to a conference should be submitted to receive funds.
Non-Departmental Fellowships, Awards, Summer Internship Opportunities, and Community Engagement Opportunities
Visit the Center for Careers, Life, and Service.
Non-Grinnell Opportunities (e.g. Field Schools, Summer Opportunities, Graduate Programs, Post Graduate Opportunities)
Every year, we receive pamphlets and e-mails from organizations looking to share a range of opportunities with our students. We file these in a folder in the anthropology lounge in HSSC and place them in our Student Opportunities folder on GrinnellShare. We are not vetting these or promoting them. Please discuss any opportunity you find with your advisor.
Organizations and Activities
SEPC
The Student Educational Policy Committee, or SEPC, is a student-faculty liaison group that provides faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum, and other departmental issues. It also organizes events within the department.