AboutRalph Salier Expertise Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.
Experience
Past/Present clients Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.
I'm in a community college at the moment and I am looking to transfer to a larger university to finish my bachelors degree in anthropology, and biology. My college GPA will be about a 3.0 when I start applying. I will have 24 credits at the time I put my application in and 41 when I enter.
My question is what state college programs would you recommend? I've searched many times for info on anthropology schools, and just about everything I have read has only said the Ivy League schools. While I completely understand that these are the absolutely BEST schools to get into that's just not possible, both grade wise, and money wise.
So what state programs would you suggest for an anthropology major who's interested in South America?
ANSWER: Hi Ashley,
U Florida and U North Texas both have reasonably good programs for central and south America. Both are state schools but if you are from out of state, the tuition is higher and it takes a year (approx) to become a state resident.
This year I think that UCLA and UNC-Chapel Hill have field schools in South America which indicates that at least one of their staff members is a South Americanist. Generally if one is then they have more.
If I had to choose, I would go with U Florida or UNC-Chapel Hill.
Good Luck.
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QUESTION: Hi,
Thank you for that information! I will definitely look into U Florida and UNC. However, they werent exactly what I was looking for.
I was looking rather for a state schools as in New Mexico State University, or Illinois State University.
Thank you for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Ashley,
Both good schools. NMSU has a good-to strong program in Meso-American anthropology/Archaeology. The faculty is good and they have some specialization in this area but not South American.
ISU has a fair to good program in Anthropology/Archaeology of North American peoples but they are weak when it comes to South Americanists. You should look at Southern Illinois In Carbondale. Their program is strong and is well respected. Lots of archaeologists and cultural anthropologists with experience in South American and Meso American work. They even have a minor in Latin American Anthro.
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QUESTION: Thank you so much again!
Any other suggestions?
Answer Hi Ashley,
Well, if you can tell me if you are interested in Archaeology of South America or Anthropology (as in Ethnography) or modern cultural Anthropology that would help. I can tell you that South America is a hot bed of a lot of militant activity which endangers both Archaeologists and Anthropologists in the region unless you hook up with locals. Also it does help to speak the languages of the region. And finally, what part of South America are you interested in? Most archaeology is done along the west coast but more is being done in Amazonia and in the North. Areas of Patagonia and the south west coast are also of interest but this is a relative new area of exploration archaeologically.
If you can be more specific, I will try to find a school that targets that region and area of study and that may have a relationship with a university in the region for exchange purposes.
