Dr. Charles Briggs

Professor

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Biography

Charles L. Briggs is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in social and cultural anthropology, with a focus on linguistic medical anthropology. His research interests encompass narrative, media mediatization, folklore performance, racialization, and violence, particularly in the context of epidemics and public health. Over the years, he has investigated various diseases, such as cholera and rabies, collaborating with patients, healthcare professionals, and community members. Briggs critically examines how media representations influence public health narratives and the understanding of infectious diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. His works illustrate the deep relational dynamics between health communication and social divides, advocating for new epistemological perspectives in the discipline. He has authored several significant publications, including 'Voices of Modernity' and 'Stories in the Time of Cholera,' which address the interplay of language, health, and race. He is also co-director of the Berkeley Center for Social Medicine, integrating scholarly perspectives with community experiences to address health inequities across various populations.

Research Interests

Courses

Medical Anthropology Cultural Anthropology

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.