Design advanced cultural and spatial research
Degree Program
Anthropology & Archaeology
Anthropology & ArchaeologyDegree Program · Human & Social Systems
Spatial Anthropology & Cultural Systems
Integrates anthropology, geography, landscape, migration, memory, technology, and complex human-environment systems.
Program purpose
Master of Arts
The program develops advanced interpretive and spatial research around how people construct, move through, contest, remember, and transform environments. Students combine ethnography, GIS, archival evidence, material culture, systems thinking, and public scholarship.
Learning outcomes
What graduates are prepared to do
Program outcomes connect disciplinary knowledge to methods, judgment, communication, and independently evaluated work.
Integrate ethnographic, archival, material, and geospatial evidence
Interpret human-environment systems across scales and temporalities
Produce thesis-level scholarship and a public or professional derivative
Curriculum architecture
How the pathway is organized
Coursework progresses from foundations to methods, integration, and a culminating demonstration of capability.
Foundations
Build the knowledge, skills, and mindset for inquiry.
Application
Apply methods and tools to real-world questions.
Integration
Synthesize across disciplines and perspectives.
Demonstration
Produce and present work that creates impact.
- 01
Graduate theory in anthropology and spatial studies
- 02
Advanced qualitative, geospatial, and comparative methods
- 03
Research design and ethics
- 04
Interdisciplinary electives and institute participation
- 05
Thesis or applied master’s project
Course sequence
Selected curriculum
ANTH-210
Ethnographic Methods & Thick Description
Develops field-based qualitative research through observation, interviewing, fieldnotes, reflexivity, ethics, coding, and interpretive writing.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Spatial Analysis & LiDAR
Uses GIS, terrain models, point clouds, and LiDAR derivatives to investigate landscapes, built environments, archaeology, ecology, and infrastructure.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Complex Adaptive Systems
Examines emergence, feedback, adaptation, networks, path dependence, scale, and agent interaction across social, biological, environmental, and technological systems.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Methodological Notes Studio
Produces concise, transparent methodological publications that document workflows, adaptations, validation, failures, and reusable research practice.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Cultural Resource Management Practice
Examines CRM project design, records research, field coordination, compliance documentation, laboratory integration, partner relationships, and final reporting.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Mathematics & Mesoamerica
Investigates mathematical reasoning in Mesoamerican calendrics, architecture, astronomy, measurement, spatial organization, and material evidence.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Learning environments
Field, laboratory & studio work
- Ethnographic and community research
- GIS, LiDAR, and landscape analysis
- Digital heritage and archival environments
- Publishing and visualization
Professional directions
Where the capability can lead
- Research and policy analysis
- Cultural and environmental planning
- CRM and heritage research
- Geospatial social science
- Doctoral study
Culminating work
Capstone, thesis, dissertation, or professional demonstration
A thesis or applied master’s project integrates cultural and spatial evidence into a substantial scholarly or public-facing contribution.
Admissions preparation
Materials and background
Admissions review considers preparation, purpose, prior work, and the fit between the applicant’s goals and the program.
Bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent
Academic records and evidence of disciplinary or methodological preparation
Statement of purpose identifying questions, methods, and intended outcomes
Writing, research, technical, or professional sample
Two academic or professional recommendations
Faculty & academic leadership
Program relationships
Next step
Connect this pathway to your academic goals.
Request information for a focused conversation or begin an application through the Stella Nova Student Information System.