The Experience

Why study anthropology at Trent?

Anthropology is the only discipline that studies all aspects of the human experience -- language, culture, and biology -- from the ancient past to the present day. By its very nature, the research of anthropologists is interdisciplinary, and our anthropology faculty draw on the connections and intellectual strengths of a wide number of fields in their teaching and research.

For over half a century, Trent has had one of the foremost Anthropology Departments in Canada, and we provide comprehensive coverage of all four sub-disciplines and offer B.A., B.Sc. and M.A. degree programs in Anthropology. Our interdisciplinary focus extends into our faculty's participation in Trent's M.A. in Theory, Culture and Politics, as well as the PhD programs in Environmental and Life Sciences, Cultural Studies, and Canadian Studies.

Through our wide variety of courses in all degrees, anthropology students gain:

• insights into the evolutionary history of humans and other hominins,
• the origins, diversity and complexity of societies,
• and the range and variety of human cultural life.

The study of anthropology necessarily leads to a better understanding of cultural traditions and practices from different times and geographic contexts. This provides a sophisticated grounding for understanding the complexity of the modern world, both in terms of multicultural interaction and in terms of our changing relationship to the natural environment.

Studying anthropology will build your intellectual skills and will develop your insight and critical appreciation of the complexity of human life. It is the obvious degree choice for any future career that involves working with people or communities from different cultural traditions, and as well is a solid foundation for careers or further graduate study in which understanding and appreciation of human biology and human cultural behaviour is an asset, including social work, diplomacy, law, or medicine.

Why study archaeology at Trent?

Trent is also one of the few universities in Canada to offer a B.A. and B.Sc. in Archaeology and a B.A. in Classical Archaeology. Our large contingent of permanent archaeology faculty (twelve) contribute to the archaeology program, allowing us to offer a wide variety of course options, many of which are taught in relatively small class sizes. Archaeology students are offered with opportunities to engage with a wide range of theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches and cultural traditions. Our many active researchers provide opportunities to become involved in lab or field research, and as well we usually offer summer field schools in Belize, Ontario and Greece.

Archaeology is by its nature interdisciplinary, and at Trent we use and build on knowledge and methods from other disciplines such as economics, material science, biology, geography, and environmental science, providing our students with a diverse and highly adaptable set of skills suitable for a wide range of employment options. In particular, a degree in archaeology opens up doors for employment in the cultural heritage sector, and is a qualification for more specialized graduate programs in museology, cultural heritage management, or further graduate research leading to advanced degrees and professional qualifications.