Anthropology

Anthropology contributes to a multidisciplinary understanding of the human condition through study of human biological, cultural, and linguistic variation. Because of its breadth, anthropology has been described as the "most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities." At the University of Alberta, archaeologists and biological anthropologists explore the deep history of human diversity through the archaeological record. Cultural and linguistic anthropologists combine philosophical questions with in-depth ethnographic research to explore the diversity of contemporary societies.

Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology

Social and Cultural Anthropology provides a broad introduction to contemporary human diversity. Our courses provide a comparative analysis of social and cultural practices, in depth explorations of modern cultures, from Africa to Asia and the Americas, training in ethnographic observation and analysis, as well as study of topics of contemporary concern like indigenous rights. Linguistic Anthropology explores how language and communication works in human societies, focusing on topics like verbal art and interethnic communication.

Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

Our highly ranked Archaeology program offers courses in World Prehistory, Indigenous and Prairie Archaeology, and opportunities to study research methods like archaeological mapping. Biological Anthropology at the University of Alberta focuses on human skeletal and dental biology, disease processes in antiquity, and forensic anthropology.

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