Anthropology is the comparative study of peoples, societies, and cultures in all their variations across time and space. Anthropology spans the social and natural sciences as well as the humanities, offering interpretations of all aspects of human life. It consists of four sub-disciplines – socio-cultural, linguistics, archaeology and physical Anthropology. Anthropology at AUC focuses on cultural and social anthropology. The Unit is committed to basic and applied research as a crucial underpinning for offering critical, reflexive and empirically informed interpretations of global and historical cultural diversity. Our emphasis on research is complemented by a critical engagement with classic and more recent theoretical orientations in the field of anthropology. The research and teaching interests of the Department range from the anthropology of development, economic anthropology, gender and feminism, kinship studies, the anthropology of religion and symbolic systems, psychological anthropology, medical anthropology, to colonialism, power, identity and globalization.
Bachelor of Arts
The undergraduate program aims to present the main themes and trends in cultural and social anthropological thought and practice and thereby to nurture critical, intercultural, and reflexive perspectives as part of liberal education. In doing so, it seeks to foster understanding of the transformation of society and culture in Egypt and the region. The program also engages with other parts of the world, such as Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Our aim is to prepare students for graduate studies and for living and working in an increasingly complex and changing world. Upon graduation our students are well-positioned to pursue careers in teaching, research and applied anthropology, such as in international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector, social service, media, and heritage preservation.
A student who wishes to declare a major in anthropology should be registered in or have taken ANTH 202. Every student must obtain a “C” or higher in ANTH 202 in order to continue as a major in anthropology.
Upper-division (300-400 level) courses are normally taken during the junior and senior years. Students must take ANTH 309 and ANTH 311 during the junior year. Students must take ANTH 495 in their last full academic year. Most of the other courses are offered in alternate years and so may be taken in any order. Courses at the 500-level are also open to selected advanced undergraduates.
A total of 120 credits is required for the bachelor’s degree in anthropology:
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