Anthropologists are concerned with understanding the structure and functioning of social groups through minimally invasive participant observation and other “qualitative” techniques in their own communities, as well as in other countries. They follow a holistic approach that offers a humanistic understanding of society, and the way people solve their own problems. VIU’s program encourages the application of anthropological theory, knowledge and methods in areas such as “race” relations, cultural sensitivity training, archaeology, resource management, human rights facilitation, as well as the interaction of culture and the environment. Anthropologists are also concerned with the evolutionary biology of our species and the history of cultures around the world. Linguistic anthropologists study language and its role in cultural transmission. The department of Anthropology offers undergraduate course work at three levels: 100 (introductory); 200 (second year); and 300-400 (advanced). The 300-400 level courses may be taken by either third or fourth year students. Students may take an upper-level course before completing all of their lower-level courses, however, no upper-level courses may be taken within a subfield (i.e., Social Anthropology, Archaeology, or Biological Anthropology) unless the 200-level course in the same subfield has been completed.

Career in related fields.