Bachelor of Arts and Science - Anthropology & Geography (Optional Co-op)

For the Bachelor of Arts and Science, students must complete two majors: an Arts major, and a Science major. Anthropology

Anthropology studies the diversity of human life in every part of the world. Long-term ethnographic fieldwork is the hallmark of the anthropological approach to studying the human condition and allows people to see how the world fits into a larger context.

Contemporary anthropology examines the material, social, and cultural conditions of human behaviour and life from a “locally global” perspective.

Anthropology will expose students to a variety of different cultures. At the same time, students will learn to examine their own life from an anthropological perspective. Students will learn how to explore and understand radically different contexts in both their own and other cultures.

Two elements distinguish anthropology: an intensely comparative, wide-ranging view of human society and culture, and a strong desire to know how individuals in specific cultures make sense of the world and respond to its challenges.

Anthropologists are committed to understanding common aspects of human social life, despite apparent differences. They typically spend long periods of time doing field research where they interact with people in their environment to gain cultural understanding.

Geography

Geography deals with the diverse landscapes around the world. It is about everything from the original formation of the earth’s surface, to the effects humans have on the environment: past, present and future.

The primary focus of the program is to give students the skills necessary to analyze the organization and interaction of all creatures and ecological processes on the planet — and sometimes beyond it — to address real-world issues.

The department is particularly strong in the areas of geographical information science (GIS) and remote sensing, water research and rural & urban studies; areas of spectacular growth in research, teaching and employment for graduates.

Students will have access to the latest hardware and software available in geography, economics, environment, agriculture, ecology, planning etc, as well as state-of-the-art facilities like the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building. This facility provides the infrastructure to support the research interests of University of Lethbridge’s award-winning faculty, the instructors, as they investigate diverse areas such as: weather and climate, water, glaciers, sediments, plants and insects.

Situated in the Oldman River Valley, the University’s location offers an excellent centre for field research, surrounded by farm and rangelands, and in easy reach of the Rockies and the city of Calgary.