Catherine Besteman
Francis F. Bartlett and Ruth K. Bartlett Professor of Anthropology
Anthropology
Interested in how cultural diversity shapes human experience, past and present? Curious about what connects our lives with those of others around the globe?
Colby’s anthropology professors are eager to explore these topics with you.
About Anthropology
Anthropology students explore the great diversity of human social and cultural experience, complex social identities, and patterns of globalization, all of which are fundamental to understanding the workings of the world. Whether your interest is in local communities or global connections, anthropology offers tools for understanding how people everywhere both shape and are shaped by the dynamism of cross-cultural intersections, history, and meaning.
At Colby, we focus on cultural anthropology. Course topics range from the study of geographic regions to the analysis of global issues that affect and connect people to their livelihoods. Graduates of the program have a sophisticated understanding of complex cultural differences and the processes at work in today’s global economy. They are holistic thinkers and skilled communicators who can analyze social transformations and facilitate conversations between societies and across lines of class and ethnic diversity.
Faculty and Staff
Learn more about the members of the department
Chandra Bhimull
The Audrey Wade Hittinger Katz and Sheldon Toby Katz Associate Professor for Distinguished Teaching in Anthropology and African-American Studies; Chair of African-American Studies
Britt Halvorson
Associate Professor of Anthropology; Chair of Anthropology
M. Suzanne Menair
Lecturer of Anthropology
Mary Beth Mills
Charles A. Dana Professor of Anthropology
Farah Qureshi
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Winifred Tate
Professor of Anthropology
News
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Mar 22, 2022
Professor Winifred Tate is lead author on new ACLU report “A Better Path for Maine: The Case for Decriminalizing Drugs”
Winifred Tate, Associate Professor of Anthropology, is lead author on…
Nov 13, 2020
In her new book, Militarized Global Apartheid (Duke University Press, 2020), Catherine Besteman, the Francis F. Bartlett and Ruth K. Bartlett Professor of Anthropology, explains how and why the mobility of certain groups of people gets restricted—and at times allowed—around the world.
Border Crossings: An anthropologist chronicles worldwide system…
Apr 20, 2020
The Nature Conservancy Article Highlights “Design Thinking” Jan Plan Course
The Nature Conservancy published an article about a new Jan Plan…
Apr 03, 2020
Callie Maidhof recipient of 2019-20 ACLS Fellowship
Congratulations to Visiting Assistant Professor Callie Maidhof who is the…
Dec 19, 2019
Catherine Besteman awarded the 2019 Distinguished Scholar Prize for her work on the critical study of North America by the Society for the Anthropology of North America
Distinguished Achievement Award…
Dec 19, 2019
The Colby Museum of Art’s online magazine, The Lantern, features work on climate change by Anthropology students.
The Colby Museum of Art’s online magazine,…
Oct 08, 2019
Congratulations to Ben Fanucci-Kiss’20 for Honorable Mention from the Society for Economic Anthropology
Congratulations to Ben Fanucci-Kiss ’20 who has received honorable mention…
Sep 25, 2019
Chandra Bhimull’s Empire in the Air awarded honorable mention in two national competitions
Congratulations to Chandra Bhimull (Anthropology and African American Studies) for…
Sep 09, 2019
Nell Haynes analyzes anti-immigrant memes in Chile in a new article
In a new article “Writing on the Walls: Discourse on…
Sep 04, 2019
New Book by Catherine Besteman
Catherine Besteman and co-editor Hugh Gusterson…
Events
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