Anthropology at PSU
Applied Anthropology

Applied Anthropology at Portland State University emphasizes Medical Anthropology (Everett),
Environmental Anthropology (Thornton), and Applied Archaeology (Ames, Butler, Wilson). The
Policy Track in the graduate program was designed for students interested in Applied
Anthropology.

MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Medical anthropology involves the study of medical practice and the illness experience in
comparative perspective. Graduate students in the M.A. program may choose to study a
variety of topics related to health, including health policy, bioethics, environmental health, and
public health education. In addition to core courses in anthropology, students are encouraged
to develop a second field outside of anthropology, drawing on one of Portland State’s
health-related graduate programs, such as the Community Health Program (Public Health
Education), health policy courses in the Public Administration Program, the Medical
Sociology graduate program, or the Bioethics Certificate program offered through the
Philosophy Department.

APPLIED ARCHAEOLOGY

Applied Archaeology at PSU includes the practice of archaeology within Cultural Resources
Management (CRM), Public Archaeology, and applied zooarchaeology.   Students take
courses in archaeology and anthropology, including CRM. The archaeological field school is
specifically structured around skills necessary in applied archaeological field work and public
interpretation through the Public Archaeology program at Ft. Vancouver National Historic
Monument. Applied zooarchaeology (see Environmental Anthropology) uses animal bone
records to address contemporary issues in conservation biology.   In addition to coursework,
students can intern with agencies including National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife
Service among others. Students are also strongly encouraged to take appropriate coursework
outside anthropology, including in the Geography Department’s GIS program, the
Public History MA program, and in the School of Public and Urban Affairs. Graduate Students
are encouraged to follow the Thesis Track to ensure meeting the standards of the Register of
Professional Archaeologists. Also see Archaeology.