Public Issues Anthropology
The Master of Arts in Public Issues Anthropology (PIA) is a dynamic graduate program designed to equip students with the theoretical, methodological, and practical skills needed to analyze and address complex contemporary issues affecting communities, institutions, and societies. The program trains graduates to connect anthropological knowledge to real-world challenges in areas such as policy, development, advocacy, cultural heritage, conservation, and environmental change. Students have the opportunity to tailor their studies to their professional and academic interests while developing strong competencies in ethnographic methods, critical analysis, and public engagement.
Students may complete the program through one of two routes:
-
Thesis Option: emphasizes independent, original research typically through ethnographic research that contributes to anthropological scholarship and public understanding.
-
Coursework Option: a one-year, course-based pathway emphasizing practical, hands-on training through an intensive fieldwork capstone project with community partners.
By completing the required foundational courses and the selected completion route, graduates of the MA in Public Issues Anthropology develop the ability to conduct independent and applied research, synthesize multiple perspectives, communicate effectively with academic and non-academic audiences, and contribute to evidence-based, socially responsible decision-making. This flexible and interdisciplinary program prepares students for diverse professional careers in research, policy, advocacy, education, and community development, as well as for advanced academic study in anthropology and related fields.
Administrative Staff
Chair
Mavis Morton (633 MacKinnon, Ext. 52576)
mortonm@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Karine Gagné (643 MacKinnon, Ext. 52505)
gagnek@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Renée Tavascia (147 Macdonald Institute, Ext. 56973)
soangrad@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Faculty
This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.
Elizabeth Finnis
BA McMaster, MA Western, PhD McMaster - Professor
Graduate Faculty
Karine Gagné
BA Concordia, M.Sc., PhD Montreal - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Satsuki Kawano
BA Keio, MA Minnesota, PhD Pittsburgh - Professor
Graduate Faculty
Thomas (Tad) McIlwraith
BA Toronto, MA British Columbia, PhD New Mexico - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Erin Nelson
BA, PhD Guelph, MA Waterloo - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Sharada Srinivasan
BA Tata Institute of Social Sciences, MA, PhD Eramus (Rotterdam) - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Travis Steffens
B.Sc., MA Calgary, PhD Toronto - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
Renée Sylvain
BA Wilfrid Laurier, MA, PhD Toronto - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
MA Program
Admission Requirements
Applicants must possess an Honours BA (4 years) degree or its equivalent with at least a 'B+ average in the final two undergraduate years. Students with degrees in other programs including the natural sciences are encouraged to apply if their background aligns with the interests of existing faculty. We recommend these students have five Anthropology courses that include courses in both biological and social/cultural anthropology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the MA in Public Issues Anthropology, graduates will have the capacity to:
- Develop graduate-level critical understandings of anthropological theory and to apply that theory to public issues.
- Develop and undertake graduate-level research, ensuring a hands-on understanding of the skills necessary to write research proposals, undertake those proposals, and analyse data. This includes building on research writing skills, developing data collection skills, and developing data analysis (which may include the use of qualitative or quantitative data analysis software), and dissemination skills.
- Articulate and evaluate the role of anthropology in public and academic discourses on issues salient to contemporary society.
- Integrate anthropological knowledge with research/data analysis/writing skills appropriate for a variety of academic and non-academic career paths.
Program Requirements
The MA program allows students to become actively involved in advanced studies and research in Anthropology. Students enrol in one of two study options:
- thesis, or
- course work
Thesis
Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 credits, conduct research, and write a thesis, as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses: | ||
| ANTH*6000 | Public Issues Anthropology | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6700 | Pro-seminar 1 | 0.00 |
| ANTH*6080 | Anthropological Theory (or equivalent) | 0.50 |
| One methods course from: | ||
| ANTH*6140 | Qualitative Research Methods | 0.50 |
| STAT*6950 | Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences | 0.50 |
| SOC*6130 | Data Science for Social and Applied Research | 0.50 |
| Electives | 0.50 | |
| Thesis | ||
Course Work
Students must complete a minimum of 4.0 credits, as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses: | ||
| ANTH*6000 | Public Issues Anthropology | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6080 | Anthropological Theory (or equivalent) | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6140 | Qualitative Research Methods | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6800 | Intensive Fieldwork: Community-Partnered Research in Public Issues Anthropology 1 | 1.00 |
| Electives | 1.50 | |
- 1
With approval from the Graduate Program Coordinator, students may complete ANTH*6660 Major Paper in place of the intensive fieldwork course.
Electives2
Students may enroll in a maximum of 1.0 credit at the 4000-level toward their graduate program requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH*6270 | Diversity and Social Equality | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6420 | Environment, Food and Communities | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6460 | Gender and Development | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6480 | Work, Gender and Change in a Global Context | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6550 | Selected Topics in Theory and Research | 0.50 |
| ANTH*6600 | Reading Course | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4300 | Anthropological Issues | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4440 | Culture, Rights and Development | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4550 | Biocultural Approaches to Health | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4240 | Primates, Peoples, and Pandemics | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4640 | Seminar in Anthropology | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4540 | Seminar in Anthropology | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4740 | Seminar in Anthropology | 0.50 |
| ANTH*4840 | Seminar in Anthropology | 0.50 |
- 2
With approval from the Graduate Program Coordinator, students may take an elective course offered in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences that is not listed as a Public Issues Anthropology elective.
Collaborative Specializations
International Development Studies
Public Issues Anthropology participates in the MA collaborative specialization in International Development Studies (IDS). Students in this option register in an MA program in the department and IDS. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of international development studies may serve as advisors for MA students. Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the MA collaborative specialization and the special additional requirements for each of the participating departments.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
The MA in Public Issues Anthropology participates in the collaborative specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS). Consult the Latin American and Caribbean Studies listing for a detailed description of the requirements of the collaborative specialization.
One Health
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Public Issues Anthropology and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.