Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures at Mississippi State University. Here you can view the exciting research that is being conducted by our world-class faculty and the rewarding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students that we offer.

Mississippi State University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a comprehensive doctoral research university with higher research activity. In addition, we are a land grant institution. In line with this unique status in the state, our faculty is committed to educating and serving the people of Mississippi through advancement of the science and application of anthropology.

Mission Statement

The Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures (AMEC) at Mississippi State University is committed to holistic research concerning past and present humans and to the training of students in anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies. Our overriding goal is to assess, develop, and apply anthropological method and theory in ways that acknowledge and engage an ever-changing world. In so doing, we seek to gather, disseminate, and employ anthropological knowledge to solve critical problems, at home and beyond, through outreach, education, experiential learning, and research.

Vision Statement

We seek to be the leading undergraduate and MA program in applied anthropology, preparing students for impactful careers across diverse sectors by equipping them with the skills to address human challenges, promote positive change, and foster understanding in an interconnected world. We further seek to be world class researchers working broadly and collaboratively with our colleagues and our students.

  • To be the premiere program in applied anthropology in the nation that prepares students for employment in government, business, nonprofits, healthcare, museums, and academia.  
  • To prepare students as professional practitioners who can identify, assess, and offer solutions to human problems.  
  • To ensure that students, through a well-rounded understanding of the knowledge base of anthropology and its applications, see connections and seize opportunities in our globalizing world. 
  • To prepare students to serve their communities as engaged citizens who offer practical solutions to human problems and promote positive change in local, regional, and global communities. 
  • To ensure that students, through a holistic orientation, respect all cultures in their various expressions. 
  • To put anthropological theory and methods in the service of solving human problems and improving people’s lives.

Who We Are?

The Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures at Mississippi State University focuses on the interdisciplinary study of humans across time and space. It offers students the opportunity to explore anthropology and Middle Eastern studies through a blend of cultural, biological, archaeological, and historical approaches. The department emphasizes practical applications of anthropological theory and methods to address contemporary issues, while promoting research that engages with both local and global challenges.

Faculty research in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures at Mississippi State University spans several areas, including archaeology, bioarchaeology, and cultural anthropology. Faculty members explore topics like human adaptation, cultures, historical societies, and the application of anthropological methods to contemporary issues. Their work includes studies on the archaeological records of the southeastern United States and the Mediterranean basin, human health and disease, and the cultural dynamics of both local and global communities, often with a focus on the Middle East and its cultures. These research interests aim to solve practical challenges and enhance cross-cultural understanding​.

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of what makes us human. Anthropologists take a broad approach to understanding the many different aspects of the human experience, which we call holism. They consider the past, through archaeology, to see how human groups lived hundreds or thousands of years ago and what was important to them. They consider what makes up our biological bodies and genetics, as well as our bones, diet, and health. Anthropologists also compare humans with other animals (most often, other primates like monkeys and chimpanzees) to see what we have in common with them and what makes us unique. Even though nearly all humans need the same things to survive, like food, water, and companionship, the ways people meet these needs can be very different.

What is Middle Eastern Studies?

Middle Eastern Studies promotes interdisciplinary scholarship on the Middle East, North Africa, and greater Islamic world. Its scope includes both ancient and contemporary populations, and recent scholarship has emphasized the transnational and transregional forces at play in shaping the region, both past and present. Scholars working in Middle Eastern Studies draw on a range of disciplinary theories and methodologies from fields such as history, anthropology, archaeology, political science, language, and art and architecture.

More about Middle Eastern Studies The Middle Eastern Studies Minor