Anthropology

Anthropology is unique in being a hands-on field of study that focuses on human diversity, past and present, in its material, physical, social, and cultural forms. As a student of Anthropology at St. Thomas, you can expect to get out in the real world, interacting with people in a variety of social contexts, excavating artifacts, and analyzing bones in our anthropology laboratory.

Anthropology at STU

You will benefit from our program’s emphasis on hands-on fieldwork and anthropological experience. Our lab provides a learning space for you to examine fossils and artifacts, and many courses incorporate off-campus opportunities for observation, research, and analysis.

Benefit from course offerings in different areas of Anthropology:

Archaeology
Ethnomusicology
Forensic Anthropology
Social-Cultural Anthropology
Ethnography

“Anthropology includes—to greater or lesser degrees—all the focuses of the liberal arts. It studies the relationships of all areas of human life.”

Dr. Csilla Dallos, Chair, Anthropology at STU

What sets STU's Anthropology Program Apart?

Small, engaging classes that emphasize personal interaction and collaborative learning.
The option to complete a minor in Forensic Anthropology.
Lectures and seminars are always taught by professors—not teaching assistants—which means students learn from experts in the field.
A dedicated Anthropology lab allows for hands-on learning and the analysis of fossils.
For-credit and extracurricular experiential learning opportunities that connect with your academic and career ambitions.
Faculty expertise in psychological anthropology, gender, archaeology, urban Aboriginal peoples, forensic anthropology, and medical anthropology.

Where the Study of Anthropology Can Take You

By studying Anthropology, you will develop strong analytical skills, the capacity for critical thinking, the ability to write clearly and communicate effectively, and a heightened awareness of—and appreciation for—human diversity.

This will prepare you for a meaningful career in fields like:

Urban and Community Planning
Museums and Historical Organizations
Government
Social Work
Journalism
Law
International Non-Governmental Organizations
Education

“On top of the hands-on experience, I continue to benefit from the knowledge I gained in theoretical classes, like ‘The History of Anthropological Thought.’ I always gets excited when, in my current studies and employment, I come across material and theories related to Anthropology.”

Nadja Scholte, BA ’16, Major in Anthropology
Instructional Designer

Gain Experience and Build Your Resume

STU’s Internship Program connects the study of Anthropology with professional experience through opportunities with organizations like:

Fredericton Region Museum
Kings Landing – Living History Museum
Multicultural Association of Fredericton
Science East
United Way

Participate in fieldwork projects that include off-campus visits, research and analysis, and lab work.

The Richard Costello Memorial Lab provides a space to complete hands-on work with fossils for forensic science and biological anthropology assignments.

Featured Courses

Social Anthropology
Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality
Anthropology of Music and Sound
Anthropology of Sport

Fields that Enhance Your Learning in Anthropology

As a holistic discipline, focusing on interrelationships, Anthropology has direct links to several of the sciences and humanities, such as History, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Geography, Philosophy, Biology, Ecology, Literary Studies, Music, Religion, Political Science, Languages. Since Anthropology overlaps in important ways with virtually every other discipline represented at St. Thomas, our discipline may form an ideal double-major with another discipline.