Anthropology at
The University of Montana, Missoula
The University of Montana was chartered in 1893 and opened its
doors to 50 students in 1895. Today the campus enrolls about
10,600 students on a 640 acre campus. Anthropology has a long,
illustrious history at the university. The teaching of
anthropology began at the University of Montana during the 1930s,
with Dr. Harry H. Turney-High as the first professor. During his
tenure, a number of his students went on to become leading figures
in the discipline. After World War Two, Professor Turney-High
resigned. His position was filled by another distinguished scholar,
Professor Carling Malouf, who is currently professor emeritus.
Over the next four decades, the Department of Anthropology
burgeoned into one of the most vital programs at the University
of Montana, continuing its mission of excellence in teaching
and research.
Faculty research currently includes ethnicity, Native American
linguistics, comparative indigenous issues, anthropological
demography, paleoanthropology, Southwestern archaeology,
Northern Plains archaeology and ethnohistory, Asian ethnology,
cultural heritage promotion and management, and gender issues.
All of these areas are informed by an anthropological perspective.
Our various research agendas span four world areas, although the
department maintains a strong regional and North American focus.
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