Anthropology

About Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans. Of course, scholars working in other disciplines also study humans: sociologists study human societies; medical researchers study human bodies; philosophers study human thought. Anthropologists draw on ideas and knowledge from all of these fields and then add their own particular perspective. As a StFX Anthropology student, you will look at the social world and ask fundamental questions about the development and behaviour of human societies. Exceptional faculty members guide you to think critically about the development and behavior of human society, explore the way human cultures differ, and explain what it is that makes humans different from other animals. 

Why study Anthropology at StFX?  

Here, you’ll engage with big issues in small classes taught by a team of academics committed to providing a the very best education. You’ll join like-minded students engaging in projects that take on social justice issues at StFX, in the community, and beyond. 

As the majority of research is field work, both local and international, learning often extends beyond classroom walls. StFX professors have active projects across the world and annually involve and welcome students in their research. 

First year at a glance

In your first year, you will begin by being introduced to anthropological perspectives and methods in human evolution, archaeology, social anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. We introduce students to all four fields of anthropological study — physical anthropology, archaeology, social anthropology, and linguistic anthropology — in Introduction to Physical Anthropology/Archaeology (ANTH 111) and Introduction to Socio-cultural Anthropology (ANTH 112).  

Future opportunities

The study of people can take you into almost any career path, anywhere in the world, including education, health care, museum curation, social work, international development, government, organizational psychology, non-profit management, publishing, and forensics. Anthropologists work in local or international development, in diverse careers related to First Nations peoples, mediating cultural and social interactions, social activism, political, legal, education, tourist or business arenas and archaeological cultural resource management.