The Department of Anthropology is dedicated to offering students an inclusive, stimulating and enriching learning experience. We have been working hard this summer to adapt the Anthropology curriculum to the constraints and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our courses this fall will utilize a range of approaches to teaching and learning to ensure that students obtain both the support and engaged learning experiences they need in order to succeed. These efforts are also integral to our long-term and growing commitment to making the Anthropology Department an environment that is inclusive for students who are diverse in terms of racialization, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, nationality, citizenship status, language, and abilities.

Our instructors of both introductory (large-lecture) and smaller lower- and upper-division courses strive to make students’ learning experiences as engaging and successful as possible. Some fall courses will include in-person instruction. Others have been adapted for hybrid or online formats, in addition to following recommended practices for in-person meetings, and it is possible that courses will need to be flexible to adapt to changing modes of delivery during the semester. “Hybrid” courses are those that are structured around a combination of in-person and online engagement with instructors and peers. “Online” courses will take place entirely via Canvas, Zoom, and other internet-based platforms. Recognizing that students' needs for personalized support may be greater than usual this fall, Anthropology instructors will also be available via online office hours. This allows students to meet one-on-one with their instructors, enabling instructors to better understand students’ interests and learning needs, allowing participation in group review sessions, and discussion of campus resources (campus libraries, the Disabilities Resource Center, the Writing Center, etc.).

Although not all instructors will incorporate online platforms in the same ways, the Anthropology department is committed to delivering hybrid and online courses in a manner that is accessible to students with a range of learning styles and needs. We will ensure that all students can successfully access course content (lectures, assignments, texts and audio/video materials, etc.), participate in discussions, review course content, and receive one-on-one attention as part of a stimulating, productive, and fun learning experience.