Anthropology (Ph.D.)

Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)   
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Anthropology program focuses on the discipline of anthropology (including socio-cultural anthropology,  archaeology and medical anthropology research). The program includes a PhD dissertation research project.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses (12 credits)

Note: ANTH 602 Theory 1. and ANTH 603 Theory 2. should be taken in the first year of the program.

Complementary Courses (12 credits)

12 credits at the 500 and 600 level selected from courses within and/or outside the Department relevant to the student's research area in consultation with the student's supervisor and advisory committee.

A maximum of 6 credits can be taken from other programs with approval of the supervisor and GPD.

Elective Courses (0-24 credits)

A maximum of 24 credits at the 500 level or higher can be taken inside or outside the Department (e.g., language training, methodological training, history or regional studies courses).

Language Requirement

A language examination, normally French, must be passed before an oral examination of the research proposal may be scheduled. Francophone students can satisfy the language requirement by demonstrating competency in English. The purpose of the language requirement is to ensure that the student has access to anthropological literature in at least two languages. Under special circumstances, a language other than English or French may be substituted, provided that there is sufficient anthropological literature on the student's research topic in that language.

The Ethics application and the language exam must be submitted before the proposal defence. They can be submitted at any point during PhD2 and PhD3 (before the date of the proposal defence is chosen).