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BA - Anthropology as a major

If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.

Anthropology is the study of humanity in all its fantastic diversity. Waikato's Anthropology students learn from anthropologists who have a strong Pacific focus and engage in research across a wide range of crucial global issues.

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Key information

Years: 3
Points: 360
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $6,591 - $7,608 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $29,425 - $38,305 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Area of Study:
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

  • Education
  • Health care
  • Museum curatoration
  • Social work
  • International development
  • Government
  • Business consultancy
  • Non-profit management
  • Marketing
  • Journalism and media

Degree Planner

Degree planner — BA in Anthropology

Year 1

ANTHY101
Exploring Cultures: Intro to Anthropology

ANTHY102
Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific

One from List A

ARTSC110
Old Worlds - New Worlds

Field of the Degree
100 level

Field of the Degree
100 level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Any ANTHY
200 level paper

Any ANTHY
200 level paper

Any ANTHY
200 level paper

One from List B

Field of the Degree
200 Level

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

Any ANTHY
300 level paper

Any ANTHY
300 level paper

Any ANTHY
300 level paper

Any L300 ANTHY
paper, MAORI304 or PACIS300

One from List C

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

Broadly speaking, Anthropology can be defined as 'the study of humanity'. Anthropologists at the University of Waikato are particularly concerned with sociocultural anthropology - the comparative study of the whole range of human societies and cultures in their many forms. Here, the distinguishing methodology is the 'ethnographic' or 'face-to-face' study of specific communities and lifeways. The Pacific region, with its diverse societies and cultures, is the main focus of teaching and research in Anthropology.

Anthropology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Anthropology may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Anthropology as a single major for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete both ANTHY101 and ANTHY102.

To complete Anthropology as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete both ANTHY101 and ANTHY102.

To complete a minor in Anthropology, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Anthropology major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ANTHY101Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology15.024A (Hamilton)
An introduction to sociocultural anthropology and the comparative study of human societies and cultures, in all their various forms. An examination of social, political and economic organisation, beliefs, values and ideologies.
ANTHY102Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific15.024B (Hamilton)
Social and cultural change in Aotearoa-New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with special emphasis on national identities, regional relations and global forces.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ANTHY201Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective15.024B (Online)
This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in different cultures and societies.
ANTHY207Magic, Witchcraft and Religion15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to the anthropological study of religion and illustrates the crucial role religion has played in shaping human societies and human history more generally.
ANTHY208Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic, and cultural systems.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS390Directed Study15.024X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major or minor under the guidance of academic staff.
ANTHY300Culture and Power in the Pacific15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.
ANTHY301Radical Thinking in Anthropology15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to influential theoretical ideals in anthropology from the 19th century to the present. Students will investigate paradigm shifts over the history of the discipline, including contributions and critiques from minority and indigenous scholars.
ANTHY308Many Worlds: Melanesian Cultures15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to the anthropological work undertaken within Melanesia and demonstrates its centrality to the discipline as a whole.
HISTY302Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper explores critical questions about power, sovereignty, and belonging in contemporary Indigenous history, focusing on Aotearoa, the Pacific, and North America. Students will work with diverse archival sources to develop independent research questions.
MAORI304Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper looks at Indigenous epistemological formations of sustainability as one of the most pressing issues for Indigenous peoples particularly in the Pacific, and also as a concept where Indigenous peoples can be prominent in influencing discourses.
PACIS300Contemporary Critical Issues in the Pacific15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper provides an in-depth examination of a number of contemporary critical issues in the Pacific as identified by leading Pacific scholars, writers, artists, auteurs and activists.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS500Academic & Professional Research & Writing30.024A (Online), 24B (Online) & 24C (Online)
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills for the future' identified by the World Economic Forum (2020), in order to produce resilient, creative students with strong analytic and critical thinking skills.
ALPSS590Directed Study30.024X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
ALPSS591Research Project30.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
ALPSS592Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
ANTHY515Ethnographic Research Methods30.024A (Hamilton)
This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.
ANTHY521Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Issues30.024B (Hamilton)
This paper uses an anthropological lens to understand human-environment relations and critically engages with current environmental concerns, beliefs, practices and ideologies.
ANTHY593Anthropology Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ANTHY800Anthropology MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ANTHY900Anthropology PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
No description available.

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Subject links

Anthropology Programme

Subject Requirements

For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: [email protected]

Contacts

School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4046
General Enquiries: [email protected]