Degree Information

Program Length
4 Years
Credential
Bachelor Degree
Options
Honours, Major, Minor
Fully Available at
Nanaimo
Partially Available at
Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

Want to gain a better understanding of how humans tick – arguably one of the most employable skills you can put on your resume? VIU’s Degree in Anthropology program can help with that. Anthropologists study who we are and how we came to be that way, and provide a clearer understanding of what it means to be human.

VIU’s Bachelor of Anthropology program ensures graduates leave with a breadth of skills suited for jobs in areas such as law, government, business, education, health care, (market) research and more. Anthropology courses also prepare you to become a global citizen, and the department of Anthropology offers field schools and local and international internships to take classroom learning to the next level.

Program Overview

Anthropologists study what makes us human, taking a holistic approach to understanding the many different aspects of the human experience. Through the multifocal lens of Sociocultural, Biological, Archaeological and Linguistic Anthropology, Anthropologists study the biological and cultural diversity of all humanity. VIU’s Anthropology program encourages the application of anthropological theory, knowledge and methods in areas such as “race” relations, social justice, cultural sensitivity training, archaeology, museum representation, resource management, human rights facilitation, human evolution as well as the interaction of culture and the environment.

The Department of Anthropology offers undergraduate course work at three levels: 100 (introductory); 200 (second year); and 300-400 (advanced). The 300-400 level courses may be taken by either third- or fourth-year students. Students may take an upper-level course before completing their lower-level courses as long as they meet the specific course requirements. For advanced Anthropology students the Department of Anthropology also offers an Anthropology Honours Degree.

Unless otherwise noted ANTH 212 serves to admit students to upper-level Social Anthropology courses. ANTH 213 is the prerequisite course for upper-level Archaeology courses. ANTH 214 admits students to upper-level Biological Anthropology courses.

Program Outline

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: ANTH 111, 112, 212, 213, 214, 215. Students will be allowed to take advanced courses after they have completed these courses with a minimum “C” grade in each course, with the exceptions described above.

Years 3 and 4: A minimum of 30 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300 and above* is required. It is recommended that students take courses beyond this minimum to broaden their education in Anthropology. Courses must include selections from each of the following three sub fields:

1) Sociocultural Anthropology – 6 credits chosen from ANTH 304, 305, 311, 324, 325, 325A, 325B, 326, 328, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 338, 339, 367, 368, 388, 390, 401, 412, 414, 415, 418, or 470.

2) Archaeology – 6 credits chosen from ANTH 340, 342, 345, 346, 349, 391, 460, 480.

3) Biological Anthropology – 3 credits chosen from ANTH 350, 351, 354, 392, 430, 435.

*One advanced Global Studies course, GLST 390, 391, 490 or 491, may be substituted for three credits of upper-level Anthropology.

ANTH 315, 361A and 361B, 362 and 363 are upper-level field studies courses and do not fit into the above categories. ANTH 325, 390, 391, and 392 may be taken more than once if the topic is different and can be used as required courses in the above categories, where appropriate.

Extra credits may be taken from this same list or from other courses offered by the department. These other courses include ANTH 490, which is a directed studies course that allows students to follow their own interest, 493A, 493B, and 493C, which are internship courses. Advanced students and those planning to do graduate studies should consider applying for the Anthropology Honours Program.

Students may satisfy degree requirements in Anthropology and another field and receive a double Major (e.g., a double Major in Anthropology and Liberal Studies). Students planning a double Major should consult with the Chairs in both departments.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: ANTH 111, 112, 212, 213, 214, and 215.

Years 3 and 4: Minimum of 18 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300 and above (not including ANTH 493A, 493B, or 493C).

Recommended Electives

Students should choose their electives in consultation with the Chair of the department of Anthropology. Students with interests in different subfields of Anthropology may wish to choose quite different electives. Social anthropologists may be interested in Sociology, biological anthropologists in Biology and archaeologists in Geology, for example.

Program Fees

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*	Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit)	4,992.00
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)	199.68
Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit)	220.50
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)	220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)	265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year	1,500.00
Total	7,397.98

Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees