Major map:
Anthropology (B.A.)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Anthropology is the comprehensive study of human beings, past and present, in a comparative, cross-cultural and holistic light. Anthropology focuses on the role of culture in human behaviour and diversity and exposes students to human evolution, social organization, environmental adaptation, and language development. Our BA Anthropology programs encompass sociocultural anthropology (the study of contemporary cultures), archaeology (the study of human past through objects and environments that inform on behaviours and lifeways), and biological anthropology (the study of humans as biological organisms). Our courses focus on medical anthropology, environmental archaeology, applied (practicing) anthropology, zooarchaeology, bioarchaeology, and environmental anthropology. Long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities in the Prairie provinces and non-governmental organizations in Saskatoon and surrounding areas are coupled with international collaborations. The programs emphasize community-based and engaged learning, a commitment to reconciliation, and a broad disciplinary foundation across our discipline. Students who prefer a social science orientation and maximum course flexibility should choose one of the BA Anthropology degree programs.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying anthropology at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
ANTH 111.3 | One World Many Peoples Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ARCH 112.3 | The Human Journey Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
You choose
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
What will I learn?
- Explain commonalities and differences in human experiences through time and across communities and environments
- Steward responsible management of cultural heritage and resources
- Apply anthropologically informed community engagement to address contemporary social and political issues, especially Indigenous-settler reconciliation
- Describe the importance and meaning of everyday human activity (past and present) to environmental sustainability and community health
- Integrate interdisciplinary and diverse perspectives to understand human health and human-environmental interactions holistically
Gain relevant experience
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Featured courses
- ANTH 202.3 Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples in Canada
- ANTH 332.3 Anthropology of Infectious Disease
- ANTH 400.3 Contemporary Issues in Archaeology and Anthropology
- ARCH 270.3 Human Evolution
- ARCH 330.3 The Archaeology of Human Environmental Impact
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
You choose
Three courses (9 cu) from the following:
ANTH 231.3 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Health and Illness
ANTH 240.3 Cultural Landscapes and Environments
ARCH 250.3 Introduction to Archaeological Science
ARCH 270.3 Human Evolution
One course (3 cu) from the following:
ANTH 202.3 Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples in Canada
ARCH 350.3 Introduction to Boreal Forest Archaeology
One course from the following:
ANTH 302.3 The Practice of Ethnography
ARCH 361.6 Archaeological Field Methods
From a variety of courses (21 to 27 cu) to fulfill your degree requirments:
ANTH 200-level, 300-level, 400-level
ARCH 200-level, 300-level, 400-level
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks or meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major in the PAWS
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.
Gain relevant experience
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor with the College of Arts and Science, Student Learning Services, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
Get career ready
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
ANTH 400.3 | Contemporary Issues in Archaeology and Anthropology
You choose
- From a variety of 300 and 400-level courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Consider connecting with professional associations, such as:
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with an anthropology degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Anthropologist
- Archaeologist
- Bilingual Client Care Representative
- Citizenship and Immigration Officer
- Community Education Officer
- Community Involvement Animator
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Community Planner
- Cultural Advisor
- Curatorial Assistant
- District Sales Manager
- Diversity Consultant
- Election Officer
- Ethno-Historian
- Ethnologist
- Ethnomusicologist
- Foreign Correspondent
- Funeral Director
- Gallery Owner
- Government Researcher
- Historian
- Historical Artifact Conservator
- International Aid Worker
- Lawyer
- Linguist
- Linguistic Anthropologist
- Multiculturalism Liaison Officer
- Museum Curator
- Paleontologist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Research Assistant
- Travel Agency Manager
- University Professor
As part of our youth employment program, the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society has hired graduates from the Department of Anthropology for internships. These graduates bring with them a diversity of skills such as critical thinking, effective communication and strategizing, practical knowledge, and the ability to listen carefully and openly to a multiplicity of perspectives and ideas. A degree in Anthropology develops a multitude of transferable skills and abilities that allows for success not only within Anthropology and academia but also throughout a multitude of sectors.
—Dr. Karin Steuber, RPA and Dr. Tomasin Playford, Saskatchewan Archaeological Society
Where do USask alumni work?
- BMO Financial Group
- Canada North Environmental Services
- Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF)
- GFL Environmental Inc.
- Government of Saskatchewan
- HDR INC.
- KGS Group
- Meta
- Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
- Saskatchewan Archaeological Society
- The Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum
- University of Saskatchewan
- Waniskan
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"The most valuable experiences I had in my anthropology undergraduate were those of building relationships with faculty and students within the department. Networking with other anthropologists helped to broaden my understanding of what impacts I could have on the world and what I had to do to be impactful beyond the scope of the classroom."
—Jessica, Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology '23 (honours)
"As someone who has always talked about wanting to see changes made to address the social challenges of discrimination toward First Nations people and other minorities, I felt that obtaining an archaeology and anthropology degree was the first step in working toward creating a more positive future for the younger generations that follow."
—Devin, Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Anthropology '23
"The Department of Anthropology fosters an environment that encourages learning and has pushed me to pursue my passion in archaeology. During my time working towards an undergraduate degree I’ve gotten to develop lasting relationships along with opportunities to seek an education and career I wasn’t even aware existed."
—Olivia, fourth-year archaeology honours student