Welcome to Anthropology at Nipissing
Anthropology is a fascinating and interdisciplinary field that will have you investigating the vast scope of human experience. Questions that concern anthropologists are widespread and include: Why do some cultures construct different explanations for sickness and health? How do people throughout the world determine who is related to whom? What are the patterns of inequity and stratification from one society to another? How do human beings decide to organize themselves and why?
Your studies will range in focus from the origin of our species and the development of the first known human civilizations to language and the diversity of cultures that exist today. Your studies will provide you with fundamentals, principles and theories as you explore the human experience from cultural, historical, geographical and sociological perspectives. Your curiosity may unearth new knowledge as you find yourself immersed in hands-on fieldwork and conducting applied research
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology
Anthropology at Nipissing University
Nipissing University Research Data Centre (RDC)
The Statistics Canada Research Data Centre at Nipissing University, provides access to detailed data for research, promotes the use of data through associated training, and assists in the dissemination of research results.
Avery Beall, RDC Statistical Assistant explains the steps involved to access the RDC data, and highlights some of the new COVID-19 data sets available for researchers in the RDC.
Further information about other RDC data sets available and application procedures can also be found on the Nipissing RDC website.
Facilities
Nipissing's campus is located on a stunning 291 hectares of Canadian Shield forest. With our focus on student-centred living and learning, you will feel a sense of community the moment you step on campus.
The Harris Learning Library
The Harris Learning Library was completed in 2011 and provides 56,000 square feet of study space with natural light and a modern award-winning design. The new library features expanded print collections, a learning commons, an adaptive technology area, and collaborative work spaces.
Academic Support Services
Our goal is to support your academic and personal development. Look for assistance with accessibility services, learning style assessments, writing skills, writing formats, study strategies, time management, note-taking skills, academic resources, group seminars, peer support, career development activities, and more. Learn More...
Financial Support Services
Achieve your goals on time and on budget. We’ll help you fund your education through scholarships, awards, bursaries, government assistance, and work study programs. Learn More...
Internationalize your Degree
If you want to experience a year or a semester at one of our partner schools across the globe, we have support services and programs to help you get there. If you want to assist International students with adjusting to life in Canada, we’ll connect you. Check out your options...
Personal Counselling Services
Our registered counsellors offer free, year-round personal counselling services, specialized therapeutic groups, referral services and a host of wellness, educational and awareness events to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More...
Residences
Our top-rated residences will make you feel right at home. You will make fast friends with your residence community. Our student leaders, Residence Dons, and award winning residence staff give tutorials on everything from the basics of laundry and cooking to making connections within the community. Learn More...
Archaeology Field School
ANTR 2026 Archaeology I
This course introduces students to the theories, concepts and methodological approaches that archeologists employ to study past cultures through their material remains.
The Sociology-Anthropology Student Society
There are tons of ways to get involved in campus life, but one way is through the Sociology Club, which organizes events and guest speakers throughout the year.
Inaugural public lecture
In the summer of 2016, Nipissing University students Isaac Bender and Gab Lavoie had the opportunity to travel to the Republic of Ireland to participate in the excavation of a 13th century Dominican Friary, uncovering a variety of material artifacts and human burials. Their talk, titled "An Mainistir Dubh: a lecture on Irish archaeology at the Blackfriary," will share their experiences in excavating the medieval site, and outline how their findings help the community of Trim understand the context of the Friary within the city. Light refreshments will be served.
The lecture can be viewed here.
“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius
Experiential learning is an effective medium that enhances and reinforces classroom learning. In addition, skills and competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork, analysis, work ethic, and problem solving are all learning outcomes that assist with finding the right career path for you.
Third and fourth year Arts and Science Students will be interested in our 3 credit course, UNIV 3006 Experiential Learning for Arts and Science Students. Within this course, academic assignments and at least 60 hours of placement in the community within a field that is related to your course of study is offered.
Experiential Learning Program for Arts & Science Students (ELAS)
The Experiential Learning for Arts & Science Program (ELAS) is an exclusive project between Student Development & Services, the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce (NBDCC) and the Faculty of Arts & Science. This project focuses on providing students with hands-on learning experiences directly related to their academic interests.
With a strong emphasis on learning competencies, the ELAS immerses students with enriched learning opportunities that focus on the development of professional skills resulting in confident, successful and highly employable graduates ready for the workforce.
The ELAS program provides support for Arts & Science students to participate in activities such as:
- Conferences and speakers
- Site visits and field trips
- Work placements
When it comes to experiential learning at Nipissing University, you have lots of choices. Let us help you navigate your options, so you can find the best fit for your personal and professional goals, as well as your schedule.
Visit nipissingu.ca/academics/ELAS for more information.
Leadership and Community Engagement
If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Record of Student Development
Your experience at Nipissing University is more than just the time spent learning great things in lectures, labs, and seminars. It’s also about the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom, the causes you champion to make change on campus, the clubs you organize, the awards you receive, the workshops you participate in, the volunteering you do, and all the learning that occurs outside of the classroom.
The Record of Student Development (RSD) is Nipissing University's way of recognizing that learning is happening everywhere on campus. It is a formal record, otherwise known as a co-curricular transcript, where you can include workshops, volunteer experiences, awards, activities, and on campus employment experiences that you participate in throughout your degree.
Each RSD Approved activity in our database is linked to competency areas employers are looking for such as:
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership
- Digital Literacy
- Equity and Diversity
- Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence
- & more!
To see the full list of competencies and get started building your Record of Student Development go to: rsd.nipissingu.ca
Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU)
Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.
Athletics
Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game
LAKERS CLUB SPORTS
Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.
VARSITY SPORTS
Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.
STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE
Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.
Chair
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Program Representative
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Full-time Faculty
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"I had the opportunity to attend high school overseas, and in doing so I found my passion for world cultures, languages and history. Jump forward a few years, when I enrolled at Nipissing I was in the education program on route to becoming an elementary school teacher. It wasn’t until I sat in on one of Dr. Carly Dokis’ lectures that I knew I wanted to be a part of the Anthropology program at Nipissing. Now despite the program being fairly small, the quality and passion of the faculty has not only helped me grow as an academic but has opened a lot of doors in my future in Archaeology. Between Carly’s passionate Cultural Anthropology lectures on her work with the Dene, and my practical work experience in Archaeology with one of the most interesting people I have ever met, Ken Swayze; I know that studying at Nipissing University will give me many opportunities that I may not have received at a larger school, and has given me the chance to rid my ignorance, and come to love local cultures such as the Nipissing and the Algonquin First Nations in Ontario."
Isaac Bender
current Geography and Anthropology student
"The experience that I had with my anthropology classes has been nothing but positive. Dr. Carly Dokis is an amazing professor who gives wonderful lectures and who is always there for students. All my professors were great and they are what makes the program truly unique by providing enriching experiences and the familiarity of one-on-one assistance to students."
Analucia Vucic
current Anthropology student
An Anthropology degree opens up many career options for graduates with critical thinking and analytical skills that can be applied to many different professions.
Having developed a strong background in research, some of our students pursue graduate school in anthropology, sociology, museum studies, or philosophy, or continue on to a professional program like teaching or law. Many students are well suited for research positions with government or not-for-profit organizations, or a career in international development, tourism, heritage and conservation, museum work, and much more.
Career and Academic Options
- Graduate Studies
- Professional School (Medicine, Education, Law, MBA)
- Careers as medical researchers, museum curators, and human rights advocates