Faculty	Department Mission
Programs

Programs

Anthropology and Education
Applied Anthropology
Communication and Education
Computing and Education
Instructional Technology and Media
Mathematics Education
Science Education

Applied Anthropology (Code: TFO)
Program Coordinator: Professor Lambros Comitas
(212) 678-3309

Degrees Offered:
Anthropology and Education: M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D., Ph.D.
Applied Anthropology: Ph.D.

Special Application Requirements/Information:
Applications are reviewed for these programs on an ongoing basis. Preference in scholarship awards will be for those applicants who meet the priority deadline. GRE General Test required, except of international students for whom the TOEFL is required.
If the applicant will be in or near New York City, an interview with one of the program faculty members is recommended.

Program Descriptions:
Teachers College has been a pioneer in both Anthropology and Education and Applied Anthropology. It now houses the largest group of anthropologists committed to these fields to be found in any university in the world. These two emphases function as one entity and provide a unique research training experience for a very select group of students. This highly personal academic environment within the larger university complex maximizes the interaction between students and faculty while offering a variety of scholarly and professional resources. Both programs prepare students to enter current research and policy conversations about education and the application of anthropology to other fields. The programs are built on the premise that one can claim to apply anthropology only to the extent that one has been rigorously trained in the theory and methodology of the discipline. Theoretical emphasis is given to social and political processes, cultural theory, and psychological anthropology; all of this is done from a strong cross-cultural and comparative perspective. Methodological emphasis is placed on intensive and systematic ethnography. The faculty has a distinguished record of publications and research projects illustrating these premises. Most of this work has been conducted in the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

The Program in Anthropology and Education:
The program in Anthropology and Education offers a disciplinary approach which carefully explores and contributes to the analysis and understanding of educational processes in schools and classrooms, in families, on street corners, in community centers, in churches and in all settings where education may proceed.

The Joint Program in Applied Anthropology:
In 1968, Teachers College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Columbia University initiated and implemented a Joint Program of Applied Anthropology. This joint venture between Teachers College and the Department of Anthropology (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) trains graduate students registered at either graduate school. By this agreement, all applied anthropological training at Columbia University is administered through Teachers College. The Joint Program offers a course of study and thorough training in applied anthropology that is certified by both institutions. This program focuses on the complex issues involved in applying anthropological knowledge and approaches to matters of policy concern in medicine, psychiatry, economic and community development, education, businesses and corporations, institutional programs, and ecological and environmental change.

Resources:
Both programs are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology at Columbia University, Columbia’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of International and Public Affairs, and other professional schools and institutions of the University (School of Public Health, Lamont-Doherty Laboratory, etc.). In addition, our location in New York City allows students easy access to a myriad of prestigious academic and research institutions and provides a natural laboratory for student research on ethnicity, migration, and urban life. Through the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium, students may take courses to fulfill their Teachers College program requirements at the Graduate School and the University Center of the City University of New York, Fordham University, the New School for Social Research, and New York University. Most of the programs’ graduates find academic posts and administrative positions in colleges, universities, and professional schools. Others locate in federal and international agencies, research institutes, private foundations, medical institutions, consulting firms, and social welfare and community service organizations in the United States and abroad.

Degrees Offered:
Several degrees are offered through these programs: Master of Arts, Master of Education, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Anthropology and Education and the Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Anthropology. The M.A. programs in Anthropology and Education are designed for students who are planning to enter one of the doctoral programs as well as those seeking a terminal masters degree. Administrators, counselors, evaluators, research associates, and teachers in elementary and secondary schools can improve their work through learning how anthropological methods are applied to educational problems, policy, and practice. The Master of Education track's flexibility allows students to address various professional concerns, satisfy diverse academic needs, and enhance professional skills. In both these masters tracks, students design and complete a 32 point (M.A.) or 60 point (Ed.M.) course of study and complete an adviser-approved, integrative project. Teacher Certification may also be achieved in conjunction with other programs in the college.
The Ed.D. and Ph.D. tracks are for students who plan to engage in scholarly writing and research, applied research and evaluation, or teaching and administrative responsibilities at colleges, universities, professional schools of education and medicine, research institutes, or state, federal, and international agencies and bureaus. Students design and complete a 75 point (Ph.D.) or 90 point (Ed.D.) course of study, pass their program's certification and language exams, conduct anthropological field research, and write and defend a dissertation research proposal and a dissertation.

Courses:

Introductory Courses
TF4003. American culture and education (3)
Professor Varenne. An orientation to American culture and education.

TF4010. Social context of education (3-4)
Professor Comitas. Analyses of basic anthropological concepts, with particular reference to the sociocultural context of education and the role of educational institutions in community, national, and regional development. Four-point enrollment requires attendance at film showings before or after class.

TF4011. Social anthropology and education (3-4)
Professor Bond. Analyses of basic anthropological concepts, with emphasis on approaches to the study of education through comparative study of social institutions. Four-point enrollment requires attendance at film showings before or after class and additional discussion sessions held at hours to be arranged.

TF4012. Cross-cultural studies of learning (3-4)
Professor Harrington. Analyses of basic anthropological concepts, with particular reference to the influence of cultures and subcultures on the learning process, to education in multicultural classrooms and to the relevance of psychological anthropology to educational issues. Four-point enrollment requires attendance at film showings before or after class and additional discussion sessions held at hours to be arranged.

TF4014. Urban situations and education (3-4)
Professor Bond. An introduction to the anthropological study of the sociocultural patterns of populations residing in urban settings, with emphasis on domestic, ethnic, class, and educational relationships.

TF4016. Culture and society in Africa (3)
Professor Bond. A general survey of sub-Saharan Africa, using contributions from theoretical approaches to anthropological research in the area. Emphasis on socioeconomic, ideological and religious, educational, and political analysis of African communities.

TF4017. Anthropological perspectives on homelessness and social control (3)
Faculty. Theoretical and ethnographic analyses of contemporary forms of social exclusion in urban settings. Emphasis on the interaction between institutional arrangements and the experience of homelessness.

TF4018. Anthropology and development in Africa (3)
Professor Bond. This course considers issues and problems of development in sub-Saharan Africa. It examines specific development projects from different theoretical and empirical perspectives.

TF4034 [TH4010]. Dynamics of family interaction (3)
Professor Varenne. An introduction to communication patterns inside families, with a special emphasis on both their complexity at the interpersonal level and their simplicity within the social structure of a community. Class time is dominated by cross-cultural data on family structure and videotape analyses of communication patterns within American families.

TF4600. Group studies in educational issues (1-3 per section)
Faculty. Permission required. Opportunity for groups to organize colloquia, seminars, or practica, with faculty sponsorship, for the study of specific educational issues, problems, or policies, and for the development of particular skills, in accordance with emerging social situations and urgent common concerns. Students wishing to engage in such studies must present a plan and secure the sponsorship of a faculty member of the department who will serve as advisor. Registration and evaluation procedures will be worked out and carried through with this advisor.

Intermediate Courses
TF5000. Methods of inquiry: Ethnography and participant observation (3)
Professor Harrington. The methods of the behavioral and social sciences as they relate to ethnography and participant observation. Emphasis on the role of theory, characteristics and relative efficiencies of various research techniques, and the importance of integrated research design.

TF5001. Ethnography and participant observation: Structural and interpretive analysis (3)
Professor Varenne. Prerequisite: TF5000. Emphasis on modes of analysis of ethnographic observations (variously known as "interpretive analysis," "discourse conversational analysis") which emphasizes careful analytic descriptions of human behavior in a holistic context.

TF5002. Ethnography and participant observation: Comparative and qualitative analysis (3)
Professor Harrington. Prerequisite: TF5000. Issues of comparative and quantitative analysis of data generated by ethnographic/participant observation inquiries.

TF5003 [TH5031]. Communication and culture (3)
Professor Varenne. Introduction to major theories of human communication and culture as they relate and build on each other.

TF5005 [TH5017]. Interdisciplinary study of the family (3)
Professor Varenne. Critical examination of the interaction of internal and external forces and their effects upon individuals and families, drawing upon perspectives of various social science disciplines.

TF5010. Social organization and comparative institutions (3)
Professor Bond. An introduction to selected theories of social organization and their application to the analysis of small-scale society as a background to the analysis of social and educational problems.

TF5011. Process and change in Africa (3)
Professor Bond. Anthropological studies of social systems, cultural change, and development. Special emphasis on the role of politics, religion, economics, and education in change processes.

TF5012. Culture and society in the Caribbean (3)
Professor Comitas. Detailed survey, utilizing contributions from theoretical approaches to anthropological research in the area. Emphasis on socioeconomics, community studies, and sociopolitical analyses.

TF5013. Psychological anthropology (3)
Professor Harrington. The concepts, theories, and methods of psychological anthropology. Cross-cultural studies of learning processes. Emphasis on recent work in the field, problems of cross-cultural methodology, and the study of socialization.

TF5014. Symbolic anthropology (3)
Professor Varenne. An introduction to the anthropological study of symbols and meaning with emphasis on the relation between cultural constructions of the world and action in the world.

TF5015. Political anthropology: Labor, race, and belief (3)
Professor Bond. This course considers the theories and concepts used by anthropologists and other social scientists in the analysis of political behavior and institutions. It emphasizes the comparative study of political systems, movements, and processes within the context of rural and urban situations.

TF5016. Ethnography of the classroom (3)
Professor Varenne. Introduction to the ethnographic investigation of classrooms and to the educational policy issues it addresses.

TF5017. Anthropology and the law (3)
Faculty. Analysis of various legal systems in state and stateless societies with case materials and other readings used to illuminate basic assumptions behind "legal'' processes. In this context, what American lawyers mean when they say that their education and training enables them to "think like lawyers'' is examined.

Colloquia
TF5610z. First-year colloquium in applied anthropology (3)
Professors Bond and Varenne. Permission required. This is a year-long critical review of important works in anthropology and education and applied anthropology. During the spring semester students present proposals for their summer fieldwork before the members of both programs. Required of, and open only to, first-year doctoral students. Meets concurrently with TF5611 during the spring semester.

TF5611z. Second-year colloquium in anthropological method (3)
Professors Harrington and Comitas. Permission required. This is a year-long review of the methods of field research and data analysis in anthropology, with special reference to educational systems and processes. Network analysis, systematic observation, quantification procedures, participant observation, ethnographic interview, use of film and videotape, cross-cultural survey techniques, and testing and experimental design. During the spring semester, students report on their completed summer fieldwork before the members of both programs. Required of, and open only to, second-year doctoral students. Meets concurrently with TF5610 during the spring semester.

Research Seminars
TF6511. Seminar in psychological anthropology (3)
Professor Harrington. Permission required. Prerequisite: TF5013.

TF6512. Social theory and structure (3)
Professor Bond. Investigation of issues and problems in social theory through the analysis of relevant literature in the social sciences.

TF6513. Seminar in selected topics in anthropology and education (3)
Professor Bond (Section 1) Professor Varenne (Section 2) Professor Comitas (Section 3)

Individualized Studies
Advanced students may register for intensive individual study of some aspect of their specialization. Registration is only by permission of the i