Overview
There are two broad areas of Anthropology studied at Otago: Social Anthropology and Archaeology. These are two separate programmes, but have key shared papers at undergraduate level.
Social Anthropology focuses on the cultural basis of social life and diversity and similarities between cultures. It examines the dynamics of cultural change at every level of human life, from the local to the global, in the recent past as well as the present.
Social Anthropology specialisations at Otago include the Pacific, history and anthropology, medical anthropology, religion and ritual, ethnicity, development, political anthropology, legal anthropology, economic anthropology, globalisation, migration, new media, and anthropological theory and methods. Our social anthropology staff are the recipients of multiple teaching awards, research grants and medals. We conduct dynamic national and international research programmes.
Archaeology is the study of material remains related to the human past. These range from monumental structures like the pyramids of Egypt to microscopic plant fragments retrieved from ancient soils. Archaeological research is undertaken on historical remains to add to existing records, as well as on the physical remains of human culture when no other record exists.
Otago has a world-renowned Archaeology programme. Staff specialise in the archaeology of New Zealand (including the offshore Chatham Islands), the tropical Pacific and South-East and East Asia. They study the initial colonisation of, and subsequent adaptations to, these regions through fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Otago archaeologists also study evidence of ancient crops, animals and artefacts, as well as archaeological structures and landscapes. The past is interpreted from the study of material remains and evidence recovered through surveys and excavations.
Career opportunities
Many graduates become professional anthropologists, museum staff, social scientists, researchers, cultural analysts, writers, and policy analysts and advisers with government ministries and departments. Anthropology graduates are sought by non-governmental and private organisations.
Graduates who have specialised in archaeology may become professional archaeologists working variously in universities, consultancies and industries with heritage management interests (e.g. mining), public heritage or conservation agencies, and in specialist laboratories and museums.
Contact details
Email anthropology@otago.ac.nz
Website Social Anthropology programme
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
See the full list of Anthropology (ANTH) papers
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Anthropology
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level ANTH papers | 36 |
| 200-level | One of ANTH 208, ANTH 210 or ANTH 211 Two further 200-level ANTH papers BIOA 201 Biocultural Human Skeletal Biology, may be substituted for one 200-level ANTH paper. | 18 36 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level ANTH papers BIOA 301 Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton, may be substituted for one 300-level ANTH paper. | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Anthropology
| Papers |
|---|
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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Anthropology
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Anthropology is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Anthropology
| Papers |
|---|
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Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Anthropology
| Thesis |
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Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Anthropology or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Anthropology must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Anthropology prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Minor subject requirements
Anthropology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level ANTH papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level ANTH papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level ANTHpaper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
