The UCLA Department of Anthropology has always taken a broad view of anthropology, maintaining both balance and integration among the four fields (archaeology, biological, sociocultural, and linguistic), that have traditionally characterized the discipline. Established in 1941, the department grew to prominence immediately after World War II and has consistently ranked among the top ten departments in the country, both for the distinction of its faculty and the quality of its teaching. Many faculty members actively engage in research and teaching in two or more fields, and many hold joint appointments in other departments and schools at UCLA. Indeed, Anthropology has ties with many other major departments in the university, offering a rich fare to graduate students.
 

The major is designed for students interested in an anthropological understanding of human behavior. One of the strengths of anthropology is its cross-cultural “holistic” and integrative approach to many fields, such as biology, history, linguistics, the social sciences, and many of the humanities.