USC Department of Anthropology

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Reynolds, Professor of Anthropology and Professor in the Linguistics Program at the University of South Carolina, on the publication of her latest article, “The Shadow Presence of U.S. Models of Parental Involvement in Postcolonial Multilingual Language and Literacy Reforms in Western Highland Mayan Rural School Districts in Guatemala,” in the Journal of Sociolinguistics. The images in this graphic show a person that Dr. Reynolds interviewed, a picture of a school featured in the article, and an example of a USAID text that she analyzed.

Please visit the link below to read this article:
https://bit.ly/3Q94UOb

📣 ANTH 101 Course Registration Closes Monday, May 25!

🌍 Ever wondered how humans evolved? Join ANTH 101: Primates, People, and Prehistory this Summer 2026!
Explore human evolution, primates, fossils, archaeology, and the origins of modern humans in this engaging online course.
🦴 Fully Online & Asynchronous
📚 No textbook required
🎓 3 Credit Hours

Perfect for students interested in anthropology, biology, history, archaeology, or human origins!

🏺 Join us for Public Archaeology Day hosted by the ANTH 322 Archaeology Field School on Thursday, May 28!

This summer, students have been excavating areas connected to 19th-century buildings on USC’s Historic Horseshoe, uncovering spaces tied to daily life and labor on the early campus.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:
🔎 See active excavations
🏺 View artifacts recovered from past and current field seasons
📚 Learn about archaeological methods and fieldwork from USC students

📍 USC Historic Horseshoe (in front of the McKissick Museum)
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026

Stop by and explore the stories beneath our campus!

📣 ANTH 392 Course Registration Closes Monday, May 25!

Looking for a summer course that’s flexible, engaging, and globally relevant? This fully online, asynchronous 3-week course (June 1–17) explores how gender, race, class, and inequality shape women’s health around the world.

Topics include:
• Reproductive justice
• Maternal mortality
• Environmental health
• Global healthcare disparities

Students will engage with ethnographic case studies, documentary films, and current global health research.

Perfect for students interested in:
Anthropology | Public Health | Medicine | Women’s & Gender Studies | Social Justice

✔ Fully online & asynchronous
✔ Fast-paced summer session
✔ Counts toward the Medical Anthropology minor elective requirement

Don’t miss the registration deadline — Monday, May 25!

Congratulations to our Anthropology Graduate Class of 2026!

Your dedication to discovering the past and shaping the future has inspired us all. We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make in the world. Wishing each of you continued success, new adventures, and endless opportunities ahead!

Congratulations to the Anthropology Undergraduate Class of 2026 at the University of South Carolina! Your curiosity, dedication, and passion for understanding humanity have brought you to this incredible milestone. Wishing you continued success as you go forward to discover the past and shape the future.

Curious about the past? This is your chance to dig in—literally and figuratively.

This Fall 2026, explore the deep history of Native American societies in the southeastern U.S. in ANTH 229: Southeastern Archaeology. Join Dr. Gabby Purcell as we uncover the past through the archaeological record—examining cultural change, belief systems, trade networks, technology, and the impacts of colonization. You’ll even get hands-on experience with artifacts and opportunities to visit significant sites.

🗓 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 2:50–4:05 PM
📍 Hamilton 140
🎓 3 credits | No prerequisites

Spots are open—register today!

Curious about how different cultures understand magic, ritual, and religion? Enroll in ANTH 206: Anthropology of Magic and Religion this Summer 2026.

📅 May 11 – May 29
📍 Fully asynchronous format

This course explores how people across the world use belief systems to interpret and navigate their realities.

Registration is now open!

What a fantastic evening celebrating 50 years of anthropology at USC! Thank you to everyone who joined us—students past and present, faculty, staff, and friends—for making the Leatherman Lecture and reception such a memorable event. We are especially grateful to Dr. Thomas Leatherman for his engaging lecture reflecting on five decades of research, discovery, and community that have shaped our department.

More than anything, the evening highlighted the strong connections that make our anthropology community so meaningful. From reconnecting with old classmates to meeting new faces, the sense of camaraderie and shared passion was genuinely inspiring. We’re excited to share a few photos from the evening below—capturing just a glimpse of the conversations, connections, and celebration.

Here’s to the stories we’ve shared, the connections we’ve built, and the future of anthropology at USC!

The Department of Anthropology is proud to congratulate Julia Shough and Jacob Young on being named recipients of The Outstanding Anthropology Student Award! 🎉

This award recognizes undergraduate anthropology majors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement along with meaningful engagement in anthropology and social issues beyond the classroom.

Julia and Jacob have each exemplified these qualities through their dedication, curiosity, and commitment to making an impact. Their work reflects the very best of what anthropology stands for—understanding people, cultures, and communities in ways that inspire positive change. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments and wishing them continued success in all they do!