Archaeology, Geography, & Applied Anthropology

The Archaeology, Geography, and Applied Anthropology (AGAA) Program provides an interdisciplinary perspective on human history and culture through the articulation of three closely related fields.

Archaeology focuses on evidence of the human past through material culture. Geography examines human and environmental relations through spatial analyses. Applied Anthropology interprets the cultural causes and consequences of social change. Together, these fields present an impressive array of theoretical approaches and analytical skills that can be used to examine dynamic issues affecting the human past, present, and future.

Highlights of the Archaeology, Geography, & Applied Anthropology Program

• Unique: The program offers a specific combination of courses and training distinct from other regional programs in its specific course structure, certificate programs, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Career-Focused: With a course structure and certificate offerings specifically designed to meet the needs of future employers in a wide range of fields, you will complete meaningful internships as part of your degree requirements and produce tangible work products that you can present to prospective employers.
• Technologically Advanced: Experience technical training in two fields - GIS and 3D scanning/printing - that are anticipated to undergo sustained growth in the near future. The geospatial market is growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with an anticipated GIS global market size of $17B by 2023.  3D scanning/printing, though newer, is also growing rapidly and is expected to reach a market size of $5.7B by 2020.
• Research-based: Our program is built around an ongoing research project investigating the history, culture, and geography of the South Lake Champlain Basin. All program courses will feature place-based, collaborative learning, and students will have extensive opportunities to participate in ongoing fieldwork. 

AGAA Programs and Certificates

This program offers a bachelor of science and four career-oriented certificates. We will help you make connections between diverse sets of data to generate more informed interpretations of social behavior. Coursework emphasizes the acquisition of specific analytical and technical skills that are used to develop and implement your own research.

You can also supplement training through the completion of the following certificates:

• Archaeological Methods

• Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Applied Anthropology

• Cultural Landscape Studies

AGAA Beyond the Classroom

The AGAA Program is built around the practice of fieldwork as a way for you to test your knowledge and capabilities. Program faculty are collaborating in a local research project and all courses include experiential learning outside the classroom.

You can take part in the program’s archaeological field school, collaborate with faculty in ongoing research, and complete rewarding internships with community partners. You will be encouraged to gain program credits in Castleton’s Semester in the American Southwest.

AGAA Outcomes

The interdisciplinary nature of the AGAA Program provides the grounding necessary to pursue advanced degrees and prepares you for rewarding careers. Program certificates demonstrate the advanced training sought by employers and many of the technical skills offered by the AGAA program, including geographic information systems (GIS) and 3D scanning.

Collaborative research and internships with local community partners will help you make informed decisions about your future career while also providing critical hands-on training and demonstrated work products that employers desire.