Anthropology
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
B742 Loeb
613-520-2582
carleton.ca/socanth
- M.A. Anthropology
- Ph.D. Anthropology
- Ph.D. Anthropology with Specialization in Political Economy (consult the Political Economy section of this Calendar)
M.A. Anthropology
About the Program
The Anthropology programs promote exploration of cultural practices and social conditions in diverse contexts throughout the world. The M.A. program focuses on the field of sociocultural anthropology.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
A grade of B- or better is required in each credit counted toward the master's degree. With the recommendation of the department, and permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, a candidate may be allowed a grade of C+ in 1.0 credit or each of two 0.5-credits.
Admission Requirements
The requirement for admission into the master's program is a B.A. Honours (or the equivalent) with at least high honours standing in anthropology or a closely-related field. Where relevant, previous professional experience will be taken into account in determining an applicant's standing on admission.
Qualifying-Year Program
Applicants with general (three-year) bachelor's degrees may be admitted into a qualifying-year program designed to raise their standing to honours status. Students earning at least high honours standing in their qualifying-year courses will be considered for admission into the master's program. Refer to the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details of the regulations governing the qualifying year.
Program Requirements
The Master of Arts program in Anthropology is a total of 5.0 credits, and each candidate is required to select, in consultation with the graduate adviser, one of the three program options.
Thesis Program
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5401: Theories and Methods I (normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program)
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5402 Theories and Methods II
- 2.0 credits in electives
- 2.0 credits in ANTH 5909: Master's Thesis and an oral examination on the thesis
Research Essay Program
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5401: Theories and Methods I (normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program)
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5402: Theories and Methods II
- 3.0 credits in electives
- 1.0 credit in ANTH 5908: Research Essay and an oral examination on the essay
Course Work Program
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5401: Theories and Methods I (normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program)
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 5402: Theories and Methods II
- 4.0 credits in electives
Electives may be chosen, in consultation with the student's adviser, from the following courses: anthropology graduate course offerings; sociology graduate courses (especially in theory and methods, or in areas which relate to the student's thesis research interests); from 4000-level courses offered in the sociology and anthropology undergraduate program; or a combination of the above. Normally no more than 1.0 credit may be chosen from course offerings in other departments.
Transfer from One M.A. Option to Another M.A. Option
Students who choose to change from one program option to another (i.e., from/to the thesis, research essay, or course work option), are required to do so before registering for a third term after initial, full-time registration, or before registering for a fifth term after initial part-time registration.
Ph.D. Anthropology
About the Program
The Anthropology programs promote exploration of cultural practices and social conditions in diverse contexts throughout the world. The doctoral program is structured around the field of engaged anthropology, which emphasizes practical involvement with the social world through ethnographic and theoretical analyses of cultural frameworks and social fields shaping interactions amongst humans and between humans and the environment.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Candidates must obtain a grade of B- or higher in each course and Satisfactory on the Ph.D. thesis and its oral defence.
Admission Requirements
The Ph.D. Anthropology normally will be undertaken on a full-time basis, however the department will consider admission on a part-time basis. Full-time students are expected to complete the program in four years, and part-time students are expected to complete the program in eight years.
The normal requirement for admission to the Ph.D. program is a master's degree (or equivalent) in anthropology, normally with a minimum average of A-, and with no grade below B.
A student already enrolled in the Carleton M.A. program in Anthropology who shows outstanding academic performance and research promise may be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. program upon completion of the M.A. course work and upon the recommendation of the Anthropology graduate committee.
Applicants whose academic preparation has deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program, but will normally be required to complete additional course work.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate a fluent knowledge of English. Please see sections 3.6 in the General Regulations section of this calendar.
Program Requirements
Ten (10.0) credits:
- 1.0 credit in ANTH 6000 Doctoral Seminar
- 0.5 credit in ANTH 6002 Research Design
- Two terms satisfactory participation in ANTH 6100 Thesis Writing Seminar (0.0 credit)
- 1.5 credits chosen from SOCI or ANTH courses at the 5000- or 6000-level or, with the permission of the graduate supervisor, up to 1.0 credit of graduate level courses from another unit at Carleton
- A satisfactory research preparation portfolio
- A satisfactory thesis proposal and (when required) Research Ethics Board clearance to undertake thesis research
- Satisfactory thesis research
- 7.0 credits in ANTH 6909 Thesis (including successful oral defence)
- Residence requirements: Ph.D. candidates must normally be registered full-time in a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement. If a candidate is registered part-time the minimum residence requirement is eight terms.
