Anthropology Subject regulations
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.
Normally, candidates must gain at least 60 points at 100 level in any subject(s) before enrolling in Anthropology papers above 100 level, and at least 90 points at 100 and 200 level before enrolling in Anthropology papers above 200 level.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
-
GradCert(Anth) and GradDip(Anth) A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Anthropology at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
-
PGCert(Anth), PGDip(Anth), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Anthropology, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research and at least 30 points from papers listed for Anthropology.
The qualification regulations define the admission requirements for enrolment into the MA or MSocSc in Anthropology.
Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Anthropology vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including ANTHY515 and at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points from approved 500-level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
-
MPhil The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
-
PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Anthropology papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ANTHY101
Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
An introduction to sociocultural anthropology and the comparative study of human societies and cultures, in all their various forms. An examination... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY102
Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
Social and cultural change in Aotearoa-New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with special emphasis on national identities, regional relations and... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ANTHY201
Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online) |
|
ANTHY207
Shamans, Spirits and Sceptics: Anthropology of Religion and Spirituality
This paper examines how religious beliefs, practices and social institutions shape human experience and societies. Students will develop critical... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online) |
|
ANTHY208
Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ANTHY300
Culture and Power in the Pacific
This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies. |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY301
Anthropological Theory: Interventions from the Global South and Peripheries
This paper introduces students to influential theoretical ideals in anthropology from the 19th century to the present. Students will investigate... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online) |
|
ANTHY310
Memes and Misinformation: Researching Culture Online
This paper introduces students to key concepts, theory, and methods from digital anthropology. Grounded in ethnographic methods students will learn... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY380
Directed Study
This paper consists of a programme of individual research and assessment undertaken by a student working under supervision. |
15 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
ENVPL302
Māori Resource Management
This paper introduces Māori principles of resource management and examines their relevance to contemporary planning processes. |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online) |
|
HISTY302
Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives
This paper explores critical questions about power, sovereignty, and belonging in contemporary Indigenous history, focusing on Aotearoa, the Pacific... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
MAORI303
Critical Indigenous Theory
This paper looks at the key theoretical influences, from Marxism to post-structuralism, upon critical Indigenous studies and the most significant... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS500
Academic and Professional Research and Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills... |
30 | 27A (Online) & 27B (Online) |
|
ANTHY501
Critical Thinking in Anthropology
Students learn about the history of anthropology from a critical perspective and develop specialist skills in applying different theoretical... |
30 | 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Online) |
|
ANTHY510
Digital Anthropology: Theory and Methods
This paper examines key theoretical frameworks and research methods in digital anthropology, equipping students to critically analyse the social... |
30 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY515
Ethnographic Research Methods
This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components. |
30 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY580
Directed Study
Students have the opportunity to undertake advanced research on a specific topic of anthropological interest under the guidance of academic staff. |
30 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY591
Research Project
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. |
30 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY592
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. |
60 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY593
Anthropology Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY594
Anthropology Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
120 | 27X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHY800 Anthropology MPhil Thesis | 120 | 27X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHY900 Anthropology PhD Thesis | 120 | 27I (Hamilton) & 27J (Hamilton) & 27K (Hamilton) & 27X (Hamilton) |
-
ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
An introduction to sociocultural anthropology and the comparative study of human societies and cultures, in all their various forms. An examination...
Points 15Social and cultural change in Aotearoa-New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with special emphasis on national identities, regional relations and...
Points 15 -
ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in...
Points 15This paper examines how religious beliefs, practices and social institutions shape human experience and societies. Students will develop critical...
Points 15This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic...
Points 15 -
ANTHY300 Culture and Power in the Pacific
This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.
Points 15This paper introduces students to influential theoretical ideals in anthropology from the 19th century to the present. Students will investigate...
Points 15This paper introduces students to key concepts, theory, and methods from digital anthropology. Grounded in ethnographic methods students will learn...
Points 15This paper consists of a programme of individual research and assessment undertaken by a student working under supervision.
Points 15This paper introduces Māori principles of resource management and examines their relevance to contemporary planning processes.
Points 15This paper explores critical questions about power, sovereignty, and belonging in contemporary Indigenous history, focusing on Aotearoa, the Pacific...
Points 15This paper looks at the key theoretical influences, from Marxism to post-structuralism, upon critical Indigenous studies and the most significant...
Points 15 -
ALPSS500 Academic and Professional Research and Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...
Points 30Students learn about the history of anthropology from a critical perspective and develop specialist skills in applying different theoretical...
Points 30This paper examines key theoretical frameworks and research methods in digital anthropology, equipping students to critically analyse the social...
Points 30This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.
Points 30Students have the opportunity to undertake advanced research on a specific topic of anthropological interest under the guidance of academic staff.
Points 30A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
Points 30A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
Points 60An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 120 -
-
ANTHY900 Anthropology PhD ThesisPoints 120
2027 Subject regulation information current as at 12 Sep 2026 01:00am