COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology at Cape Breton University in the 4-year format is a 120-credit program that provides a more in-depth and advanced study of human societies, cultures, languages, and biological development compared to the 3-year degree. In the first year, students begin with foundational courses such as introduction to anthropology, sociology, and other arts electives like psychology, English, or history to build core academic skills and a broad understanding of human behaviour. In the second year, students move into intermediate anthropology subjects including cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and biological anthropology, along with courses in research methods that introduce qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the third year, students take more advanced 3000-level courses that focus on anthropological theory, specialized regional or thematic studies, and more detailed research methodology, helping them develop strong analytical and fieldwork skills. In the fourth year, students reach the highest level of study with 4000-level seminars, advanced theoretical discussions, and often an independent research project or honours-style thesis that allows them to specialize in a chosen area of anthropology such as socio-cultural systems, archaeology, or human evolution. Throughout the four years, students must complete required core courses, methods training, and a wider range of electives, with the additional year allowing greater specialization, deeper research experience, and stronger preparation for graduate studies or professional careers in research, education, or social services.