Course details

Summary

Anthropology is the study of humanity (the Greek anthropos means ‘human being'). It is a very wide-ranging discipline, made up of a variety of subdivisions.

You will study culture, society and the wide variety of ways in which people around the world live. By appreciating what humans have in common, and the fundamentals on which social life is based, comparisons across societies and observations about the nature of human beings can be made. In this sense Anthropology promotes cross-cultural awareness and self-understanding.

Traditionally, anthropology concentrated on the study of non-western societies, but this is no longer the case and Anthropology students can expect to learn about a variety of things relevant to western societies. These include areas such as ethnic relations, migration, social change, environmental policies and the preservation of cultural resources.

Why study Anthropology at UC?

The kind of Anthropology taught at UC is known as social and cultural Anthropology. This branch of Anthropology intersects with other academic disciplines taught at UC such as Geography, History, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Maori and Pacific studies, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, and Fine Arts.

Recommended preparation

Acquaintance with subjects such as geography, history, languages or art can be helpful but is not necessary for the introductory courses in Anthropology.

Courses

If you want to major in Anthropology it is recommended that you take 30 points at 100-level. However, 15 points at 100-level is sufficient as a prerequisite for 200-level.

The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum total of 360 points:

• at least 255 points from Arts courses
• the remaining 105 points can be from either Arts courses or courses from other degrees.
• A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Double Degrees

It is possible to combine an Arts degree with other degrees such as the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Science.

Further study

The College of Arts has a wide range of options for postgraduate and graduate study with excellent research facilities. These include specialised research centres such as the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Social Science Research Centre, New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies, Te Awatea Violence Research Centre and National Centre for Research on Europe.

Career opportunities

Anthropology offers insights into many of the social issues and problems facing New Zealand and the world today. Anthropologists therefore have an important role to play in areas of public policy, international relations, foreign affairs and human rights.

For professional anthropologists, there are employment opportunities in research, museum work and university teaching, as well as in certain sectors of local and central government (eg, where research skills are needed) and in non-governmental agencies dealing with issues such as third-world development.

A major in Anthropology will provide you with skills and expertise that can be utilised in a wide variety of employment situations, especially where sensitivity to people, an appreciation of cultural diversity, and an ability to grasp alternative ways of seeing the world are required.

Recent graduates have also gained work in journalism and other branches of the media, public relations, social work, adult education, museums and libraries, tourism, international agencies, human resources, resource management, and in a variety of government departments.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.