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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: Semester A (February) and Semester B (July)
Fees (Domestic): $6,117-$7,132 per year
Fees (International): $25,160 - $32,750 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Faculty:
*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

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  • Journalism and media

Degree Planner

Degree planner — BA in Anthropology

Year 1

ANTHY101
Exploring Cultures

ANTHY102
NZ and the Pacific

One from List A
(see footnotes)

ARTSC110
Old Worlds - New Worlds

Field of the Degree
100 Level

Field of the Degree
100 Level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Any ANTHY2
paper

Any ANTHY2
paper

Any ANTHY2
paper or LINGS203

One from List B
(see footnotes)

Field of the degree
200 Level

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

Any ANTHY3
paper

Any ANTHY3
paper

Any ANTHY3
paper

Any ANTHY3
paper or LINGS Research Project

One from
List C

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Stream
  • Elective
  • Compulsory

ANTHY papers not linked above (all 15 points)

200 Level

300 Level (codes to be confirmed) include:

This information is provisional and subject to change.

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 major for the BA and the BSocSc. Anthropology may also be taken as a second major or as a minor, subject to academic approval of the Faculty in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Anthropology as a single major, 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, 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 Occurrence / Location
ANTHY101Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology20A (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.
ANTHY102New Zealand and the Pacific20B (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 Occurrence / Location
ANTHY201Ethnicity and Identity20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton)
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.
ANTHY202The Polynesians: Tangata o Te Moana20A (Hamilton)
An anthropological overview of the indigenous cultures of the vast 'Polynesian triangle', from their ancient explorations and settlements, through their engagements with christianity, colonialism and capitalism, to their contemporary societies and diasporas.
ANTHY207Magic, Witchcraft and Religion20A (Hamilton) & 20B (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.
LINGS203Language, Society and Culture20B (Hamilton)
This paper explores the relationship between language and culture, particularly in the context of changing Pacific cultures, and relates topics to the main themes of modern linguistics and anthropology.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ANTHY300Power in the Pacific20A (Hamilton)
This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.
ANTHY301Imagining Cultures20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton)
This paper critically examines the concept of 'culture', especially how it was relativised, pluralised and democratised by the twentieth century discipline of anthropology.
ANTHY308Melanesian Ethnography20A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to the anthropological work undertaken within Melanesia and demonstrates its centrality to the discipline as a whole.
ANTHY325Maori Heritage Management20G (Hamilton)
The paper is concerned with interpreting and protecting the Maori cultural landscape, particularly in relation to current legislation, the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, and issues of iwi/hapu
ANTHY390Directed Study20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20D (Hamilton) & 20S (Hamilton)
This course consists of a programme of individual research and assessment undertaken by a student working under supervision.
GEOGY323Indigenous Geographies20B (Hamilton)
This paper focuses on indigenous experiences of imperialism and colonialism. It places into comparative context the impacts of colonial processes upon indigenous communities and their lands and resources.
LINGS301Research Apprenticeship20B (Hamilton)
This paper provides students with an opportunity to pursue an extended research project, in a sub-discipline of linguistics or anthropology (e.g. sociolinguistics, typology, documentation, anthropology), focusing on a heritage language/culture.
MAORI304Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts20A (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.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ANTHY515Ethnographic Research20A (Hamilton)
This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.
ANTHY520Tribes, Empires, Nations20B (Hamilton)
This paper examines tribes, empires, and nations as historically distinct types of political systems, and the ongoing influence of tribal and imperial cultures and institutions in diverse contemporary nation-states.
ANTHY521Environmental Anthropology20A (Hamilton)
This paper uses an anthropological lens to understand human-environment relations and critically engages with current envrionmental concerns, beliefs, practices and ideologies.
ANTHY525Māori Heritage Management20G (Hamilton)
This paper is concerned with interpreting and protecting the Maori cultural landscape, especially in relation to current legislation, the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, and issues of iwi/hapu development.
ANTHY589Directed Study20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20S (Hamilton)
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the criteria set out in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Handbook.
ANTHY590Directed Study20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20D (Hamilton) & 20S (Hamilton)
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the criteria set out in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Handbook.
ANTHY591Dissertation20X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
ANTHY592Dissertation20X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
ANTHY593Anthropology Thesis20X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
ANTHY594Anthropology Thesis20X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ANTH800Anthropology MPhil Thesis20X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ANTH900Anthropology PhD Thesis20I (Hamilton) & 20X (Hamilton)
No description available.

Scholarships and prizes

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Subject links

Anthropology Programme

Undergraduate 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: wfass@waikato.ac.nz

Contacts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4046
General and Undergraduate Enquiries: anth-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Enquiries: anth-grad@waikato.ac.nz