Applied Anthropology Research Opportunities

Applied Research Sequence

TMCC anthropology students participate in a two semester 3 + 3 credit sequence beginning with fundamentals of applied anthropology (ANTH 229) in the fall and para-professional skills in Social Science (ANTH 279) in the Spring. The fall course focuses on a survey of current topics and an intensive examination of a specific research problem; the spring course covers data analysis and research reporting focusing on data collected in the fall.

Fall 2000 students examined Native American student retention at TMCC. We collected data through a variety of methods and put together research design and developed strategies, in consultation with the Native American community, which are currently underway.

2001/2002 students researched classroom scheduling, and space allocation at TMCC. They began by interviewing TMCC staff to identify some of the policies and belief systems behind access to classroom space in an academic bureaucracy. Next then turned their attention to establishing a much needed room contents inventory data base. Their initial research served as the core of a subsequent institutional space utilization study that has received wide praise throughout the NSHE system.

Students pursuing a degree or certificate in applied anthropology are required to take these courses, but any student who has taken an introductory social science course and is interested in making a contribution to the proposed project is encouraged to register.

Although not required, students are strongly encouraged to take the two courses as a sequence to gain the full experience of seeing a project from beginning to end.

Archaeology

At least once a year, a small group of students go into the field to work with a professional crew of field archaeologists. All students who want to explore archaeology as a possible career track are strongly encouraged to participate, although students enrolled in the TMCC applied anthropology program are given first consideration.

Field locations have included the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and various localities throughout northwestern Nevada.

Internships

After completing anthropology prerequisites, applied anthropology students are expected to complete 6 credits (450 hours) internship in a work place using their applied anthropology training. Ideally, this will help the student to make the transition to the working world with career advancement.

Internships can be any subdiscipline of anthropology, but the greatest number of internship opportunities are in human resources, diversity training, archaeology, and urban and land use planning.

For more information regarding internship opportunities contact the applied anthropology program at 775-674-7589 or the social science department 775-673-7185 at TMCC.