Program Curriculum

Based on a 2019 survey of AAA members, and in consultation with colleagues from anthropology programs across the US, the three-week curriculum for NSF CAMP is designed to meet the learning needs of contemporary Ph.D. students. The curriculum in the table below integrates and leverages methods from across anthropological subfields. Training students to do methodologically rigorous and innovative work will transform the field of cultural anthropology far into the future.

CAMP ModuleMethods to be Taught
Research Design  Research Design; Proposal Writing, The Exploratory-Confirmatory Continuum; Survey Methods; Online Research Methods; Causal Analysis; Data Management & Archiving
Ethical researchDoing Collaborative Research; Addressing Sexual Harassment & Assault; Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Data Management Qualitative Data Management; Data Management and Archiving; PSPP
Sample Design  Non-Probability Sampling & Saturation; Sampling for Surveys; Sampling for Online Research
Indigenous MethodsCritical Indigenous Research Methods; Indigenous Storywork; Talanoa; Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Participatory MethodsCommunity Engaged Research; Participatory Visual and Digital Methods; Citizen Science; Participatory Action Research
Decolonizing MethodsDecolonizing Ethnography; Abolition as Method; Ethnographic Refusal
Linguistic MethodsIndexicality Methods; Discourse Analysis; Conversation Analysis
Cross-cultural MethodsCross-cultural Design & Analysis; Cross-cultural Collaboration; International Research Ethics
Qualitative Data AnalysisRapid Ethnography; Reflexivity & Positionality; Theme Identification; Coding & Content Analysis; Grounded Theory & Theoretical Sampling
Relational Analysis  Thinking with Matrices; Relational Analysis; Whole Network Analysis; Personal Network Analysis; Cultural Consensus
Ecological MethodsEthnoecology; Spatial Analysis; Agent-based Modeling
Medical/PsychologicalCross-cultural Psychological Methods; Idioms of Distress; Medical Narratives
Biocultural MethodsAnthropometry & Nutritional methods, Cultural Domain Analysis, Cultural consonance
Gender AnalysisFeminist Methodologies; Gender Analysis in the Global South; Gender, Sex, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Teaching approach: Our pedagogical approach was honed over years of teaching methods. A low professor-to-student ratio ensures that we are able to provide high-quality, individualized instruction to students throughout the NSF CAMP. We use a mix of teaching modalities, including hands-on exercises, online lectures (both asynchronous and interactive), student-led presentations, Critical Response Process, and one-on-one instruction. In addition to lectures and hands-on activities, we use small groups to guide students as they apply key lessons to their own research projects. 

Diversity & Inclusion: The rising cohorts of Ph.D. students in anthropology are increasingly diverse, in terms of race, gender, immigration status, age, disabilities, and family responsibilities. To best serve Ph.D.  students’ learning needs, our distinguished faculty is racially-diverse, gender balanced, and represents a range of career stages and anthropology programs nationally. NSF CAMP is accommodating of students’ individual needs, including disabilities and family responsibilities. All are welcome and all are asked to contribute to creating an environment that supports every student.

Program dates & commitment: In 2023, NSF CAMP was held online from May 10th–May26th. Additional meetings will occur on March 24th, April 14th, and May 5th. All CAMP activities were online but the CAMP 2025 iteration may be a different format. Students can expect to be engaged full-time in learning, research, and mentorship activities during for three weeks, just as they would be at in-person CAMP. Instruction and mentorship will be conducted in synchronous and asynchronous modes. Students should prepare to be available online while CAMP is in session. NSF CAMP is an intensive, immersive learning experience. 

Sample schedule: Here is an example of what a student’s daily schedule will look like at CAMP.

TimeActivity
9:00-10:00Lecture & discussion on a method
10:00-11:00Hands-on Activity
11:00-1:00One-on-one: Research advising
1:00-1:30Lunch break
1:30-2:30Breakout 1: Project progress
2:30-3:30Breakout 2: Solve a research problem
3:30-5:00Individual assignment: Work on your own

Costs to students: For summer 2023, there are no travel or meal costs as we will be solely online.

Theme: Elation by Kaira.