Introduction

The Department contains three programmes of study under one administrative umbrella: Anthropology, Gender Studies and Sociology. Typically students will elect to major in one of these programmes, but may mix and match papers from each during their particular course of study. For details on which papers can be cross-credited see the course advice pages.

Anthropology, Gender Studies and Sociology are all related approaches to the study of human social life, and contain many areas of overlap. However the following information describes the basic characteristics of each.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human culture and the many forms it takes in different societies, both past and present. It traces the evolution of culture beyond its primate origins, through over two million years of prehistory, to historical and contemporary societies. There are three broad areas of Anthropology at Otago: archaeology, social anthropology and biological anthropology.

Gender Studies

Gender is a complex element of social and cultural existence with far-reaching implications for the course of our lives. It shapes the work we do and how we spend our leisure time, our income, our family relationships and friendships, the value and meanings we attach to other people and activities, what we eat and how we dress, and even how we speak and move. Gender Studies addresses broad questions of difference: race, class and sexuality, for example, as well as gender.

Sociology

Sociology is the study of people, societies and social groups. It encourages the critical analysis of people's participation in social processes, and examines the dynamics of power, inequality, social divisions, and personal and cultural identity. The subject matter of sociology traverses a broad range of topics including class, gender, ethnicity, health, the media, politics, environmental issues, religion, social movements, work, sport, and social policy.