Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The mission of the department of anthropology at CSULB is to promote the study of the human species. Anthropology studies our species from an integrative and interdisciplinary approach focusing on the biology, evolutionary history, sociocultural and linguistic diversity of humans. Anthropology, by nature, is comparative and integrative. The mission of the department also includes preparing students for life-long learning and a strong background for anthropology-related careers in the modern workplace or to continue their education at higher levels. The department offers a diverse curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts degree. The primary responsibility of the department is to provide an excellent education through outstanding teaching. With this in mind, the primary responsibility of the faculty of the department of anthropology is to remain current in their specialties.

 

Statement in Support of Racial Justice Movements

The United States was brought into being and has been sustained through white supremacy, racial inequality, economic exploitation, and state-sanctioned violence. In spite of historical shifts and civil rights advances, Black people today continue to endure myriad forms of structural, symbolic, and physical violence. The recent police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the vigilante murder of Ahmaud Arbery, exemplify this history of inequality and violence, as do the seemingly mundane everyday acts in which white citizens criminalize Black citizens for living their lives.  American democracy stands at a crossroads.  We can choose to stand by silently as racial inequality becomes increasingly entrenched, or we can choose to be proactive in raising the quality of life for all. 

We, the Department of Anthropology at CSULB, stand in solidarity with the more vulnerable members of our community in support of racial justice. We unequivocally and vociferously assert that Black lives matter.  We also specifically commit to clear and deliberate actions that contribute to expanding equity, including the following: 

 

We will continue to educate ourselves on ally-ship. 

We will continue ongoing projects of listening, amplifying the voices of others, and speaking out in public and academic forums. 

We will continue to use our classrooms to foster difficult conversations about systematic racism and symbolic violence. 

We will continue to incorporate the voices and experiences of Black scholars and activists into our curricula. 

 

And finally, we will use our privilege and our institutional position to continue to support our colleagues, students, and community partners who are working to dismantle structures of oppression on our campus, and in the wider community and society.