Field Programs
Foothill Anthropology Fieldwork Programs
Foothill Anthropology is committed to learning anthropology by doing anthropology. To this end we conduct research in the field locally and internationally.
Types of Field Projects
Archaeology
Students can work in the field or in the lab with our scholars helping conduct research internationally or here in California. It is important to gain hands-on experience doing archaeology. By contributing directly to active research projects students become confident future scientists and leaders.
Cultural and Applied Anthropology
Students also conduct independent study projects with the Center for Applied Anthropology.
Cultural and applied anthropology projects are also taking place in the local community, at the College, and internationally.
Field Study Locations
Field opportunities are a very important part of anthropology and teach the process of doing anthropology, but there is also a heavy emphasis on the laboratory component of these research projects. The students take part in every facet of our ongoing research and help guide the investigations by conducting their own research.
California Cultural Resource Management firms are hiring — and Foothill students are getting the jobs. Why not you? No program fees. No travel costs. Why spend thousands on a summer field school when you can earn the same hands-on experience here at home during the school year?
Equitable and Economical. Learn professional field and lab skills including survey, excavation, mapping, ground-penetrating radar, artifact processing, and more — all through Foothill College’s California Field School.
Prepare for a career in Cultural Resource Management — locally, affordably, and with real-world experience that employers value.
Train Locally for a Career in Cultural Resource Management
The Foothill College Anthropology Department offers the California Field School, a 12 week hands-on program that prepares students for employment in Cultural Resource Management (CRM).
Gain practical experience in archaeological excavation, survey, and lab methods while working on real projects in the Santa Cruz Mountains and foothills, just minutes from campus.
You’ll develop the skills to identify, document, and preserve cultural heritage—from historic buildings and artifacts to Native American sites—while learning how CRM professionals ensure compliance with laws that protect these resources before development projects begin.
Highlights:
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Local, affordable field experience with minimal travel or cost
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Collaboration with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, California State Parks, and Hidden Villa
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Focus on historic-period colonial and Native American interactions
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Earn a Certificate of Field School Completion
Courses (Spring Quarter, beginning in September):
- ANTH 51 – Archaeological Survey
- ANTH 16L – Archaeology Lab
- ANTH 57 – Applied Field Methods
Build real-world skills, connect with regional partners, and start your path toward a meaningful career in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation, right here at Foothill College.
We've placed hundreds of students over the years in field tech jobs, transfer positions, and graduate schools via our field programs!
An introduction to the fundamentals in archaeological field methods and theory. this course provides hands-on training for the investigation of archaeological sites including field survey and sub-surface sampling strategies. Learn to identify local artifact types and lab techniques for artifact cleaning, analysis, photography, curation, and data management. Gain a foundation in local cultural and environmental contexts with emphasis on the application of anthropological theory for final report writing.
Work with a team that works on all aspects of the research project, including archaeological survey, excavation strategies, and artifact analysis.
Project Directors & Instructors
- Samuel Connell, PhD (Foothill College)
- Ana Lucia Gonzalez, MA (Foothill College)
- Mike Wilcox, PhD (Stanford University)
- Daniel Cearley, MA (Las Positas College)
Subjects Studied
- California and Bay Area Prehistory
- Cultural Resource Management
- Evaluate to Sampling Designs
- Use of Total Station Survey Instruments
- Excavation Methodology
- Artifacts ID, Curation, and Analysis
- Write Professional Field Notes
- Interpret data into behavioral activities
- Data Management
- Develop Field Reports.
Course Titles
- ANTH 51 – Intro to Survey (F 10-2; 2 units - 6 field hrs/week)
- ANTH 16L – Archaeology Lab (TBD; 1 unit - 3 lab hrs/week)
- ANTH 57 - Applied Archaeology Field Methods (TBD; 1 unit)
Supplemental Classroom-Based Courses (not required)
- ANTH 8 – Intro to Archaeology
Foothill College Hawai'i Program 2026 (July 18 - August 8)
Bridging past, present, and future
Foothill College and Stanford University Hawai'i Program
Hawaii Indigenous Archaeology Field School Come to Hawaii and experience a field school like none other.
Aloha and E Komo Mai to the Hawaii Indigenous Archaeology Field School!
Our anthropology studies begin during the summer quarter. If you would like more information, please contact either Dr. Sam Connell at Foothill College or Dr. Michael Wilcox at Stanford University.
A more complete website can be found here. If you’re interested, fill out the Preliminary Application to get started.
Discover with us the beauty of Hawaii as we begin our community-based research project.
Live and work alongside other project members in Hawaiian communities.
Participate in every aspect of the research process—from field excavation to cultural
collaboration.
You’ll live on the Big Island for three weeks, immersed in a unique program that blends applied anthropology and archaeological fieldwork. Our first season begins at Kaloko Fishpond, a site jointly administered by the National Park Service and Native Hawaiian cultural groups.
Check out the website for details and don’t miss this great National Park Service article about the park.
This project practices indigenous archaeology and community-based participatory research. That means we work with Hawaiian communities, asking what they want us—and you, our students—to do. Whether that means helping to map archaeological sites, clean and rebuild a royal Hawaiian fishpond, or organize a local school exhibit, we respond to community priorities and learn by doing.
We are Professors Mike Wilcox (Stanford University) and Sam Connell (Foothill College), and we’re thrilled to launch this new field school in Hawaii. Our goal is to conduct research in a pono (ethical, balanced) Hawaiian way—living, working, and thinking alongside local people as we study the islands’ culture and history.
Our program partners include expert cultural practitioners Ruth Luka Aloua and No‘eau Peralto, who bring deep experience in teaching, community work, and Hawaiian cultural knowledge.
As a student, you’ll benefit from over 60 years of combined field experience, with past research programs in Ecuador, Belize, Ireland, California, and New Mexico. Now, we’re bringing that experience to Hawaii.
Field Life
Students will live in two communities on the Big Island: first in coffee plantation country near Holualoa (just 15 minutes from Kona), and later in Honokaa on the beautiful Hamakua Coast. Living in these local communities helps us better understand daily life and connect directly with the people whose heritage we study.
The aloha spirit is truly special—we can’t wait for you to join us, earn credits, and become part of this growing effort to study and protect the culture and society of Hawaii over time. Learn More!
Project Directors
- Dr. Michael Wilcox (Stanford University)
- Dr. Samuel Connell (Foothill College)
Is there current info for Hawaii?
