Why Study Anthropology at UNBC?

We are a small department, yet we cover 3 subfields fully (Archaeological, Biological, and Social/Cultural Anthropology) and offer an introduction to Linguistic Anthropology. 
In the western provinces, there are a number of the larger schools that have separate Archaeology/Biological Anthropology and Social/Cultural programs. However, at UNBC, Anthropology recognizes the value and importance of offering a holistic and integrative approach to the discipline.

Our program is integrative: at the Intro level (ANTH 102) we take a 4-subfield Approach, as we do in the required 3rd year Anthropological Theory, and 4th year Capstone course that all majors take regardless of what subfield they specialize in.  But as a small department, we have recognized that it is not practical, possible or prudent to cover a too-large scope of topics so have conscientiously attempted to provide overlapping approaches and intersecting content. Therefore, in addition to a focused on the Themes of Heritage, Identity, and Equity and Social Justice regardless of subfield:

 

                    

Heritage

 

Thematically, our faculty members focus around these core research themes and offer courses that reflect one or more of these themes, including such courses as: landscape, place and culture; environmental anthropology; nations & states; cultural resource (heritage) management; stone tools; ancient Egyptians, archaeology and Indigenous communities; medical anthropology, plagues and peoples; social inequalities; feminist anthropology; museums, galleries, archives; anthropology of Europe, of Canada, of Africa, etc. (see link to all Anthropology courses on the side bar). 

As Anthropologists, our teaching and learning is fundamentally experiential (even before experiential teaching became a popular approach), including: active methods and applied courses; field schools; etc. Our department’s commitment to offering field schools and experiential learning is noteworthy. We provide practical life skills for our students, wherever they end up. Linked to experiential teaching and learning, our department is remarkable in our attention to community-based research and teaching

The very nature of Anthropology means that we are interdisciplinary. We offer a Major in Anthropology as well as Minors in all of the 3 subfields. But, Anthropology at UNBC also offers joint Majors with First Nations Studies, Geography, and Political Science. We also have many students who take History, English, International Studies, Psychology, Environmental Studies, etc. along with their Anthropology degree. Anthropology is able to talk to many different disciplines and our reach across the university is significant!

Our faculty members have expertise in both local and global research, covering a wide geographic scope: Europe (Northern Europe, Ireland and the UK), Russia, Africa (Ethiopia, South Africa), Canada (BC, AB) and we bring to UNBC global and local networks.