The University of Montana Department of Anthropology
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Anthropology at
The University of Montana, Missoula
The University of Montana was chartered in 1893 and opened its doors to 50 students in 1895. Today the campus enrolls about 10,600 students on a 640 acre campus. Anthropology has a long, illustrious history at the university. The teaching of anthropology began at the University of Montana during the 1930s, with Dr. Harry H. Turney-High as the first professor. During his tenure, a number of his students went on to become leading figures in the discipline. After World War Two, Professor Turney-High resigned. His position was filled by another distinguished scholar, Professor Carling Malouf, who is currently professor emeritus. Over the next four decades, the Department of Anthropology burgeoned into one of the most vital programs at the University of Montana, continuing its mission of excellence in teaching and research.
Faculty research currently includes ethnicity, Native American linguistics, comparative indigenous issues, anthropological demography, paleoanthropology, Southwestern archaeology, Northern Plains archaeology and ethnohistory, Asian ethnology, cultural heritage promotion and management, and gender issues. All of these areas are informed by an anthropological perspective. Our various research agendas span four world areas, although the department maintains a strong regional and North American focus.