Richard Lazenby, Professor Emeritus

Angèle Smith, Professor and Chair
Michel Bouchard, Professor
Shauna LaTosky, Assistant Professor
Farid Rahemtulla, Assistant Professor
Erin Gibson, Adjunct Professor
Brenda Guernsey, Adjunct Professor
Earl Henderson, Adjunct Professor
Alex Oehler, Adjunct Professor

Website: www.unbc.ca/anthropology

Anthropology is the integrated biological and sociocultural investigation of humankind, from the time of our pre-human ancestors to the present, including the study of both small- and large-scale societies. The program includes courses in archaeological, biological, linguistic and sociocultural anthropology. While a small number of mandatory courses will ensure that all students in the program share basic understanding of the range of anthropological approaches, students are able to select courses within the program and from other parts of the curriculum to focus on specific interests. The following suggestions illustrate the range of possibilities: a student with an interest in language could select courses within the programs in First Nations Studies, International Studies, English and Psychology; a student intending to enter a graduate program in archaeology might select courses from First Nations Studies, Geology, Geography, History and Environmental Studies programs; a student planning to work in the subfield of sociocultural anthropology could select courses from First Nations Studies, International Studies, Northern Studies, Women’s Studies and Social Work; a student interested in biological (or medical) anthropology would include courses in Biology, Environmental Studies and Statistics; and a career in museology or cultural property management might benefit from a background in Resource Recreation and Tourism or administration as well as First Nations Studies, International Studies, History and Northern Studies. 

Anthropology prepares students for entrance to a number of graduate programs (Archaeology, Biological and Sociocultural Anthropology, Museology); several types of professional programs (Law, Library and Information Science, Communicative Disorders, Social Work, Education, etc.) or employment in government or the private sector. Students aiming towards specific career goals should discuss their interests with advisors in the program at an early stage. 

Major in Anthropology (BA)
Joint Major in Anthropology and English (BA)
Joint Major in Anthropology and Geography (BA)
Joint Major in Anthropology and Political Science (BA)
Minor in Anthropological Archaeology
Minor in Biological Anthropology
Minor in General Anthropology
Minor in Sociocultural Anthropology

Major in Anthropology

Students majoring in Anthropology must take 54 credit hours in Anthropology courses (18 courses). Students may not take more than 60 credit hours of Anthropology without written permission of the Department Chair. 

The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Anthropology is 120 credit hours. 

Program Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements

ANTH 460-3 Anthropology Capstone

One of the following:

One of the following:

Ten additional 3 credit hour courses in Anthropology of which six courses must be upper-level.

Subject Requirement

Students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in anthropology or in anthropology-related careers are encouraged to take field school courses and internships.

Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement

Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).

Joint Major in Anthropology and English (BA)

Joint Major in Anthropology and Geography (BA)

The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in Anthropology and Geography is 120 credit hours.

Program Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements

Elective and Academic Breadth

Elective course hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (See Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).

Students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in Anthropology or Geography are encouraged to choose electives in Anthropology or Geography.

Joint Major in Anthropology and Political Science (BA)

The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in Anthropology and Political Science is 120 credit hours.

Program Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements

Elective and Academic Breadth

Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).

Minor in Anthropology: Anthropological Archaeology

The minor in Anthropological Archaeology requires completion of a minimum of seven courses (21 credit hours), consisting of three lower-division courses (9 credit hours) and four upper-division courses (12 credit hours). A minor in Anthropology cannot be taken in addition to a major in Anthropology.

Requirements

Two of the following:

Twelve credit hours of the following:

Minor in Anthropology: Biological Anthropology

The minor in Biological Anthropology requires completion of a minimum of seven courses (21 credit hours), consisting of three lower-division courses (9 credit hours) and four upper-division courses (12 credit hours). A minor in Anthropology cannot be taken in addition to a major in Anthropology.

Requirements

Twelve credit hours of the following:

Minor in Anthropology: General Anthropology

The minor in General Anthropology requires completion of a minimum of seven courses (21 credit hours), consisting of three lower-division courses (9 credit hours) and four upper-division Anthropology courses (12 credit hours) no more than two of which may be chosen from any single existing Anthropology Minor (Anthropological Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, General Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology). A minor in Anthropology cannot be taken in addition to a major in Anthropology.

Requirements

Two of the following:

Four additional upper-division courses.

Minor in Anthropology: Sociocultural Anthropology

The minor in Sociocultural Anthropology requires completion of a minimum of seven courses (21 credit hours), consisting of three lower-division courses (9 credit hours) and four upper-division courses (12 credit hours). A minor in Anthropology cannot be taken in addition to a major in Anthropology.

Requirements

Two of the following:

Twelve credit hours of the following:

Updated: November 30, 2023