Degree Maps : Faculty Humanities and Social Sciences : Memorial University

2024 - 2025

ANTHROPOLOGY

Upcoming Courses | Calendar | Department | Advice | My Degree Tracker

What does the food we eat tell us about who we are and where we come from? How are national parks experienced differently by tourists and residents? What can government representations of the Iraq war tell us about American nationalism? How did a women's party make it into the Northern Ireland peace process? These are just a few of the many problems being investigated by anthropologists at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Anthropology students at Memorial learn about the lives of people in diverse societies while also exploring a wide range of important issues and problems that are very relevant to their daily lives. We seek to foster an approach that is at once critical and engaged. While the research interests of the faculty are diverse, we share a strong interest in problems of power and social inequality, which we view as being critical to understanding the contemporary world. The department offers courses that expose students to a range of anthropological theories and fieldwork methods, including: participant observation, interviewing, and the making of documentary films.

See the "My Degree Tracker" link above, for a suggested pattern of course sequencing for this major.

	Year One	Year Two	Year Three	Year Four and Beyond
STUDIES	To earn a Bachelor of Arts you must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours including the following degree components: core requirements, major or honours program, minor or second major, and electives. Work towards the completion of the BA's core requirements. Record your progress in the degree tracker. Ideally you should declare your major program by the end of the winter semester. Before you do, meet with an HSS academic advisor to review your intended degree requirements. Students who are not declared in an HSS major program (by the last day of exams for the winter semester) will not be eligible for the HSS Dean's List or HSS scholarships.	Finalize the BA core requirements (CRW, LS, and QR). Declare your second required program (minor or second major). Consult Undergraduate Program Directors and the Calendar, including the general undergraduate academic regulations and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences regulations. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. Why not consider: applying for admission to an honours program or Co-op (if available). supplementing your degree with a certificate or diploma. Request an official degree audit when you complete 60 credit hours of course work.	Cross-check your degree advice with the University Calendar regulations, contact your department for information about honours program regulations/requirements. Check your Departmental web page for ongoing research. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. If interested in pursuing a Masters program, discuss this with your department. Request an official degree audit when you complete 90 credit hours of course work.	Ensure all BA core requirements have been fulfilled. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. When completing your final courses you must apply to graduate as per the steps to graduate web page. Make sure you apply before the deadlines posted on this web page. If you plan to attend convocation, keep an eye on the Convocation FAQ web page for information on registering for convocation (requesting tickets, booking academic dress, etc.).
STUDY TIPS	Begin your degree workplan with the Academic Advising Centre Be an active student; carefully examine your course syllabus, attend class, participate, ask questions, and visit instructors during office hours Improve your writing skills, avoid plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity with the help of the Writing Centre in SN 2053 Study tips, individual, and group counselling are available at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre Seek support for disabilities, illness, mental health, and injuries through Accessibility Services The Academic Success Centre is a resources hub created to help students succeed Explore the study tips for years two through four - any tip is always helpful	Update your degree workplan with your academic advisor Complement your degree with certificate and diploma programs Explore scholarships and funding Understand rules through the Student Code of Conduct Do you have more than 60 credit hours? Get an official degree audit Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity	Request a final official degree audit after winter semester to ensure you are on track for graduation Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Seek advice from instructors about graduate or professional schools Consider grants for graduate or professional studies in the fall Be mindful of application deadlines for professional and graduate schools everywhere and apply early Approach your instructors for academic references for future academic and professional endeavors	In September - if you have not had an audit within the last 3 semesters, request one now. The audit will ensure you are on track for graduation Finalize applications and academic references for professional or graduate school Graduation process: Apply to graduate before the deadlines posted in the graduation menu of your Self-service account
CAREER	Pondering your future career interest? Student Life offers career advice. Consultations with an experienced career advisor as well as professional development events are available. Current students can book a Career advising appointment through Navigate. Explore career interests with Career Cruising Learn how to build a professional resume/CV Gain experience by getting involved on campus and in the community.	Learn about the career versatility of the BA through BA Professional: A Career Conversation Series. Watch episodes on demand to hear from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences alumni on how to build a successful career. Explore on-campus and summer jobs through MUCEP, ISWEP, and SWASP for exposure to research and administration Attend fall Career and Graduate School Fair and Summer Job Fair Meet up for career conversations, gain a better understanding of what careers are available with your degree and develop your networking and communications skills, in-person or online through the Meet Employers sessions.	Explore career interests related to your major(s). Seek opportunities to network in your community. Attend employer networking events such as Coffee and Connect Contact Student Life for Career planning advice. Ask about the Externship program. Get practice by booking a mock interview through Student Life. Check out the Peter Gzowski Internship Apply for a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement - micro-placements program (5 or 10 days) available to all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at Memorial.	Prepare for life after graduation. Attend the Career and Graduate School Fair in the fall semester Have your resume/CV critiqued by a Career Advisor. Check out the Graduate Transition to Employment Program (GTEP) Utilize the various Career Resources available through Student Life. Student Life is also available to alumni. Review the Graduating Student Handbook.
INVOLVEMENT	Register and attend the HSS welcome event Seek opportunities to attend academic conferences through the department or associations like Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) Join the Anthropology Society (MAS) Attend departmental and society events Explore on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities through the Student Volunteer Bureau Attend the Get Involved and Volunteer Expo (GIVE) in the Fall Record your involvement in Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE), an experiential tracking tool that provides students with the ability to record and capture their various co-curricular experiences	Attend departmental and HSS events Register for the VIP (Volunteer Incentive Program) Explore MUNSU services and resource centres Join clubs and societies Explore leadership programs through Student Life Join the HSS online communities on X, Facebook, and Instagram	Continue with previous involvement opportunities Attend Anthropology seminar series Seek opportunities to attend academic conferences through the department Create your own club or society through MUNSU ratification Consider running in MUNSU general elections	Think globally about your academic involvement - World Council of Anthropological Associations (WCAA) and others Complete your Volunteer Incentive Program through the Student Volunteer Bureau Finalize your Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE)
GO ABROAD	Consider Learning Abroad and develop a plan with the go abroad coordinator Explore Harlow Campus opportunities Attend the Global Opportunities Fair in the fall or winter to explore study/work/volunteer opportunities Discuss funding options for academic travels with the go abroad coordinator Explore international exchange programs	Review your plan with the go abroad coordinator Meet with department advisor to ensure you are academically on track to study abroad Know application deadlines and apply early	Prepare for departure with the go abroad coordinator Attend pre-departure orientation Complete pre-departure checklist and reflection Make the most of your travel experience; become a Memorial student leader	Unpack your go abroad experience Attend go abroad debrief and participate in a reflection Add international experience to your resume/CV Seek additional opportunities to work, volunteer and/or study abroad
WELL BEING	Well-being is integral to long-term student success. At Memorial we offer resources designed to maintain your health and equilibrium, and promote academic success. If you're in distress or crisis reach out for help • Become aware of supports available through the MUN Safe app - it is your direct line to a safer Memorial University. If you need a doctor, go to Student Wellness and Counselling Centre • Health and Dental insurance is offered through MUNSU • Foster well-being through online and in-person supports • Open the conversation about sexual harassment • Be a money smart student - know your finances, if you are in need, emergency loans and the campus food bank are available • The Works offers scheduled fitness programs and workout facilities • Living on-campus? Check out residence life • Living off-campus? Check out Off-Campus housing • Be safe with safedrive • Visit Wellness and Chaplaincy during exams • Still have questions? Checkout the wellness videos or talk to a counsellor.

Bronwyn Beairsto grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon surrounded by mountains, bears, and many pet dogs. She moved to Newfoundland to attend Memorial in 2010 and quickly fell in love with anthropology. She minored in folklore and graduated in 2015 with an honours degree in anthropology. She is now back in the Yukon working as a ReSDA research assistant at Yukon College.

What would your undergraduate self think of your current job?

My current job is as a research assistant at the Yukon Research Centre. My undergraduate self would be pleased to have found a job that not only interests me, but that allows me to work with and observe seasoned social scientists outside of a classroom.

What was your biggest challenge when arriving at university and how did you address this?

My biggest challenge was probably learning to study, not procrastinate, and to not wait until the very last minute to complete projects. I was never fully successful at addressing this, but allotting a certain amount of time per day for study in each subject was helpful.

What resources did you use while at MUN?

Communicating with my professors was very important. Ask them for help and what you can do to improve. Do not be embarrassed to ask questions, even ones you think are stupid. Librarians are also very helpful. Humanities and Social Sciences students write many many papers and librarians are very efficient at finding relevant sources.

Did you ever meet with advisors, faculty or staff while a student?

I met with staff and advisors. Everyone was very friendly, and if they did not have the answer, pointed me towards someone who would. Once I was in the higher level classes and felt comfortable talking to faculty, they were very willing to impart advice.

How did your extracurricular activities (on and off campus) influence your success?

While first year I perhaps prioritized extracurricular activities, especially residence events, over academics. Later in my degree the distraction from extracurriculars, such as hiking and jogging clubs, helped me to de-stress when school was getting intense. Sometimes anthropology classes can be very heavy (serious subjects), and it is important to take the time to enjoy your immediate surroundings.

Was there an experience you had during your university years that influenced or put you on a path to your current career?

At MUN I realized I liked academia. It inspired me to seek work in the field, and hopefully continue on to a masters.

Did you participate in a study abroad program?

In third year I did Theatre and Social Justice at Harlow. It was the best semester of my degree. If it is an option, go to Harlow or overseas, especially in anthropology. Having the chance to practice your subject in a new context gives you insight not only into how much you are learning in your degree, but how it can be applied in a world beyond Memorial.

What advice do you have for undergraduate students?

Take as many classes in as many departments as you can early on. Find a subject you like and professors you like. Try classes that interest you, even if they seem impractical, because working hard in a subject you love is preferable to struggling through a degree you hate. And may lead you to a career you never considered (or in our rapidly changing times, that doesn’t exist yet!).

Make sure that you are preparing for your future but do it in a way that you get to study things that genuinely interest you.

by Sophie St. Croix - BA ’09, Classics (Memorial), Juris Doctor 2013, Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie), currently an associate at Roebothan McKay Marshall (St. John's)