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Waterloo's Anthropology program covers three core sub-disciplines: sociocultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and biological (physical) anthropology.
The curriculum mandates both theoretical and hands-on coursework across these three areas. This comprehensive method exposes students to anthropology's full scope, highlighting the holistic perspective that connects these diverse approaches to studying human evolution and societies.
Anthropology majors examine cultural traditions and biological aspects across historical periods and global settings.
At the University of Waterloo, anthropology students develop an 'anthropological mindset' that equips them with valuable knowledge and skills for post-graduate life. In our fast-evolving, interconnected world, grasping the connections, disparities, and evolving narratives across time, species, and cultures becomes essential.
UWaterloo anthropology students master research design, fieldwork techniques, and gain practical experience that applies classroom concepts. The department's archaeological resources feature specialized labs for Arctic, Great Lakes, and Historic archaeology studies, with select collections available for student projects.
Basic excavation equipment supports small-scale digs. The department maintains extensive 35mm slide archives documenting global prehistoric cultures, plus a modest assortment of artifact replicas representing human prehistory.