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The Guelph-Waterloo MA Program in Public Issues Anthropology

By combining resources of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph and the Department of Anthropology at the University of Waterloo, the anthropologists at these universities are delighted to be able to offer the Guelph-Waterloo MA program in Public Issues Anthropology. The long history of professional collaboration across specialties within and between these two departments has led to the creation of this unique Masters program.  In September 2007 the two universities, with 12 core faculty members, admitted the first students into the Public Issues Anthropology MA, the only program of its kind in Canada.

Public Issues Anthropology

The Guelph-Waterloo Anthropology MA program focuses on the field of Public Issues Anthropology.  Public Issues Anthropology explores the interface between anthropological knowledge and issues crucial to governance, public discourse and civil society. Students in the program learn to use anthropological methods to examine and gain a deeper understanding of policy issues such as ethics of genetic research, multiculturalism, globalization, and production and consumption of media.  Such anthropological perspectives have vital applications throughout public and private sectors.

For instance, archaeology and physical anthropology are highly relevant to public issues of conservation and ownership of artefacts and human remains, ethical treatment of animals, and ongoing debates about human evolution.  Socio-cultural anthropology can provide insights into such diverse domains as international development, race relations and community development.  Students will also explore the significant role anthropology can play, and has played, in the analysis of expressive culture, a highly significant segment of public discourse, including art, fashion and the entertainment media.

A Unique Approach to Graduate Studies in Anthropology

Unlike most Master's programs in Anthropology, this program emphasizes the synergies and interconnections among the various sub-disciplines in Anthropology.  While other graduate programs tend to involve a high level of specialization starting at the MA level, our program encourages a more broad and interdisciplinary approach.  In Public Issues Anthropology, students have the opportunity to apply both theory and practice when considering issues from a biological, linguistic, (pre)historical, and current social perspectives.

As citizens and professionals, our graduates will be well prepared to address and provide insight and expertise on a range of public issues; they will have both the applied skills and the anthropological knowledge for employment opportunities in diverse areas of the public and private sectors.   Should they choose to continue their studies, graduates of the program will be well prepared for PhD programs in socio-cultural anthropology, applied anthropology, and some programs in physical anthropology and archaeology.

For details about the program's research specializations and course offerings, please click on the Faculty link and the Courses link.

For program requirements and application information, please click on the Admission link.