An Introduction to the IDPAS

The inception of the Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences (IDPAS) in 1982 harnessed the considerable strengths of University faculty in various departments who possessed research expertise in areas related to anthropology. From the beginning, the IDPAS was designed as an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental program. The IDPAS currently draws upon faculty from the departments of Anatomical Sciences, Anthropology, Asian and Asian American Studies, Ecology and Evolution, and Geosciences. This interdepartmental structure gives the IDPAS a uniquely broad academic character that provides a comprehensive graduate training and research environment.

The program began in the 1980s with world-renowned strengths in functional morphology and human evolution, and since that time has experienced growth in other areas explicitly designed to complement this foundation. Since that time a primate behavior program was built that covers lemurs to apes, Africa to South America, and an archaeology program which specializes in the archaeology of the Near East and East Africa and with focuses in the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and early complex societies. Recently we have reorganized our program in Social and Cultural Anthropology around the theme of ecology and society.

In the near future, more faculty will be added and these additions will continue to integrate with IDPAS's strengths and build bridges to new areas. The IDPAS is committed to remaining true to anthropology's unique approach - an integrated focus that attempts to understand and explain primate and human culture, behavior and biology through time and space. The goal is to foster an exciting and demanding scholastic environment that challenges and assists doctoral students seeking to do outstanding anthropological science.