About this major

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human. It’s a field that values direct engagement with individuals to understand their lives and perspectives.

Anthropologists are curious about how people interpret their own worlds. We take a global, comparativist, and relativist perspective that assumes there is no single 'right' way for people to live. This means we bring unique insights to many current debates about human futures. In a time when our collective existence is under threat, anthropologists are exploring alternative ways to be human and to heal our world.

Students in anthropology delve into human experiences through ethnographic interpretations, and participate in debates about our global future in which they seek new possibilities. They will explore pressing questions about our relationship with the environment; the impact of global inequality on health and development; the legacies of colonialism and racism; and emerging struggles for justice.

Graduates in anthropology are creative thinkers who can effectively express ideas, ask challenging questions, and find new solutions to complex problems. They are prepared for a variety of careers in media, research, technology, social justice, and social policy, and for professional and postgraduate programs.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Anthropology.