Why Bachelor of Arts?
As humans, we each have unique beliefs, rituals, ways of communicating and interpreting the world around us - this is what anthropologists study. They compare what makes people distinct - and alike. There are so many stories out there. As an anthropologist, you can collect and interpret them to advance human knowledge and bridge divides. All while growing your understanding of yourself and your place in society.
Explore the world. Immerse yourself in different cultures and experiences. Open your mind to new ways of being, thinking and knowing. You’ll graduate with valuable research skills and cross-cultural competency, able to challenge assumptions and understand social norms and values in context.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology is packed with fascinating insights into what it means to be human. Let curiosity be your guide as you discern patterns, connections and commonalities across different communities.
Explore the culture of hip-hop, the formation of self-identity, the effects of violence and the pain of loss. Engage in lively debates with your peers on thought-provoking topics, from religion and sexuality to organ transplantation and demonic possession.
Unpack your own cultural beliefs and biases. Learn how to navigate ethical challenges in the field with sensitivity and skill. Develop capabilities in qualitative research methods such as narrative inquiry, participant observation and ethnography.
This is where your passion for anthropology will come to life. Engage in experiential learning and build your professional networks through internships. Be guided by a community of seasoned researchers experienced in ethnographic fieldwork. Graduate ready to influence the global anthropology landscape and make an enduring contribution to human knowledge.
Key features
Study patterns and behaviours across different cultures and societies.- Unpack ethical issues in anthropology like exploitation, ethnocentrism and white saviourism.
- Learn from active researchers experienced in local and international fieldwork.
- Gain narrative inquiry and ethnographic research skills.
- Enhance your critical thinking, analytical reasoning and cross-cultural competency.
- Build professional networks through an industry-aligned internship.
What you'll learn
This degree examines the human experience in all its diversity.
You'll apply anthropological concepts to real-world contexts, working on ethnographic case studies, interactive assignments and hands-on projects. You’ll be taught by dedicated staff with significant experience in ethnographic fieldwork, both locally and internationally.
Explore the anthropology of race, gender, religion, sexuality and disability. Interrogate issues of terror, pain, suffering and war. Examine cross-cultural understandings of health, healing, emotion, grief, mental illness and dreams.
Investigate what informs our choices in consumption - food, fashion, music - and how visual media like art, photography and film shape perceptions and experiences of cultural differences.
Debate with peers and challenge assumptions about reproductive technologies, organ transplantation and what constitutes a good end-of-life experience. Understand ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context, joining international discussions on harm reduction and environmental sustainability. Learn how to use your growing knowledge and skills to drive positive social change.
You’ll access mentoring and networking opportunities through fieldwork, community collaboration and internships aligned to your interests.
Your courses will cover big themes in anthropology including:
- Consumption and taste
- Violence and crime
- Identity and discrimination
- Life, death and culture
- Emotion, mind and person
- Health and medicine
- Media.
You can also broaden your skills with electives outside of your major studies in areas like psychology, history and linguistics.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
People, Cultures, Societies: Doing Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Visual and Media Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to International Development
|
Course code
POLI1007
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Complete 30 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Year 2 selectives, and
- 12 units from Year 3 selectives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology of Violence and Crime
|
Course code
ANTH2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Identity and Discrimination
|
Course code
ANTH2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Subculture to Pop Culture: Fans, Fashion & Music
|
Course code
ANTH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Life, Death and Culture
|
Course code
ANTH2008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Empowerment, Gender and Community Development
|
Course code
POLI2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Humanitarian Emergencies, Aid and Action
|
Course code
POLI2006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology of Emotion, Mind and Person
|
Course code
ANTH3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology of Health and Medicine
|
Course code
ANTH3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Research Methods in Social Sciences
|
Course code
SOCI3006
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Skills gained through studying human cultures, such as cross-cultural competency and applied research methods, are highly sought after by organisations worldwide. As a digital anthropologist, you could explore how YouTube and TikTok are transforming communication. You might help government officials connect and consult with Aboriginal communities. Perhaps you’ll preserve and celebrate different cultures with vibrant festivals and community programs.
You could also be a:
- Cultural anthropologist
- Ethnographer
- Market researcher
- Diversity and inclusion officer
- Research analyst
- Policy advisor
- Museum curator
- Community outreach coordinator
- Corporate anthropologist.
Industry Trends
Studying anthropology gives you a comprehensive understanding of different cultures, societies and human behaviour. This knowledge is essential for navigating today's globalised world.
As businesses and organisations expand internationally, demand for cultural expertise and behavioural insights grows. Anthropologists are sought after for their skills in user-experience research, cultural resource management, policymaking and community development. Their ability to understand and engage with diverse populations makes them indispensable.
Anthropologists also excel at gender, social and environmental analysis, crucial for tackling future challenges like gender inequality, social justice and environmental sustainability. By applying your expertise, you can help develop policies and practices that promote equitable societies, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and support sustainable development.
With strong analytical, cross-cultural and methodological skills, you’ll find opportunities in government, cultural institutions, heritage sites, NGOs, research, design, marketing, digital technology, and the energy and mining industries.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
