Anthropology (BA in Combination)

Have you ever wondered what it means to be human?

Develop a thorough understanding of people’s lived experiences, how they influence their perspective of the past and how they plan for the future. This program invites students to consider what it means to be human and how humans navigate the world around them. Graduate with practical experience that translates into the flexible skills required for a career in the public sector, research, business, or teaching.

This program must be combined with another Bachelor of Arts program. 

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on: 

  • Pathway to an MBA: Start your Anthropology program with a conditional offer for our full-time MBA program (with co-op) after graduation. Complete the MBA in two years, including three academic terms and a paid four-month or eight-month work term.
  • Customize Your Degree: Combine your Anthropology major with another Bachelor of Arts program, such as Political Science or Global Studies, to develop a well-rounded and nuanced perspective.
  • Career-ready Courses: Participate in original research, ethnography, and community service-learning. These hands-on experiences enhance your practical skills and make you highly attractive to employers.
  • Capstone Experience: In your final year, conduct independent research and write detailed reports in two capstone courses, equipping you for professional success and advanced studies.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more):

  • Co-op: Combine your Anthropology major with another program like Political Science or Global Studies, and apply for co-op after your first year to gain valuable work experience. 
  • Community Service-Learning: Enroll in Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses to integrate community service with your academic studies, applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. 
  • Teaching and Research: Get involved with the Anthropology Students’ Association and apply to become an Instructional Assistant for first-year Anthropology courses in your third or fourth year. 
  • Study Abroad: Spend an academic term studying abroad to fully immerse yourself in a new culture and broaden your global perspective.

Courses, Options and Pathways

Combinations or Combined Degrees

This program must be completed in combination with another Bachelor of Arts program. You can easily pair your studies with Ancient Studies, Archeology and Heritage Studies, English, Film Studies, Global Studies, History, Philosophy, or Political Science, among others.

Sample First-Year Core Courses

  • Cultures Today
  • Celebrating/Contesting Cultures
  • Economics Without Numbers

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Global Studies
  • Media History
  • Invitation to Archaeology
  • Religions of the Americas
  • Studying Popular Culture
  • Introduction to Sociology 
  • Introduction to Women and Gender Studies

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Language, Culture and Society
  • Indigenous Peoples in Global Context
  • Religion, Ritual and Magic
  • Culture as Performance
  • Animals and People
  • Race, Ethnicity and Nationalism

Options and Minors

This program must be completed in combination with another Bachelor of Arts program. You can easily pair your studies with Communication Studies, English, Film Studies, Global Studies or Women and Gender Studies, among others.

In addition, you can add an option or minor that will allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. A few examples of popular options and minors include:

  • Management Option
  • Teaching Option
  • Intercultural Understanding Option
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Public Policy Minor
  • Ancient Studies Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Business Pathways

Enhance your Arts degree with a Management Option  or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA + Masters of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.

Check out all pathways to and from Laurier.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • archaeologist
  • archivist
  • cultural interpreter/consultant
  • ethnographer
  • genealogical researcher
  • human resources professional
  • immigration officer
  • journalist/reporter/critic
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • public administration/policy analyst

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?