Department of Anthropology

Modesto Junior College

Susan Kerr, PhD

I have been teaching at MJC since August 2000. Since arriving, I completed my dissertation on the people of the island of San Nicolas, off the coast of southern California. This island is now a Naval Base, but is famous as the location of the story Island of the Blue Dolphins. A woman lived there alone for 18 years after her family was removed to the mainland and missionized. I am currently working on analysis of DNA from these people, as well as working on a paper identifying a new genetic trait found in human skeletal material. I recently completed a sabbatical in Spring 2009 to complete the DNA analysis of the skeletal collections from my dissertation work.

My colleagues and I have also recently developed two new courses (Anthropology 107...Forensic Anthropology: study of human skeletal remains in legal cases; and Anthropology 174...Field Studies: travel to different locations and learn about local anthropology and archaeology).

Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology, UC Davis

Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara

Doctoral Degree in Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara

Research and Other Anthropological Interests:

•  Human skeletal biology/bioarchaeology
•  Forensic Anthropology
•  California Archaeology
•  Mitochondrial DNA of Ancient Californians

Email Dr. Kerr

Courses Taught:

•  Anthropology 101 (Physical Anthropology, on campus)

•  Anthropology 101 Online (Physical Anthropology). For access to the class, go through the WebCT link on MJC's homepage. If you are interested in taking the online class for next semester, please check out the generic course syllabus (things will change each semester).

•  Anthropology 102 (Not Currently Taught)

•  Anthropology 105 (Physical Anthropology Lab)

•  Anthropology 107 (Forensic Anthropology) 

•  Anthropology 130 (Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory) 

•  Anthropology 174 (Anthropological Field Studies) We will visit the American Southwest in 2012! Check out this page for details on past and upcoming trips, and some pictures of the past trips!

    Past Trips:

  • Summer 2005, Colorado Plateau
  • Summer 2007, Italy and Switzerland
  • Summer 2008, Colorado Plateau
  • Summer 2012, Pacific Northwest

Some Gratuitous Photos:

My son, Robin running around Bandelier National Park on the Anthropology 174 Field Studies trip 2005...

Robin and I with Garry Hayes (MJC Geology) in Yosemite after our collaborative trip to the Colorado Plateau in 2005.