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Anthropology (MA)

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The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a program leading to the Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology. The MA program is offered both full- and part-time and is offered in French and in English. All students must, however, complete at least one course given in French. Linguistic support for this partial French immersion is available.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

Two options are available for the MA, the MA with thesis and the MA with research paper.

The program operates within the general framework of the general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) of the University of Ottawa, which are posted on the FGPS website.

Search all research fields for members of the teaching staff

The professors included in the list below are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. This means that they are authorized to supervise or co-supervise theses. A complete list of the faculty and staff members associated with the program can be found at http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/soc-ant/graduate-studies

ANCTIL, Pierre, Full Professor
Jewish history in Montreal; Yiddish literature in Montreal; history of immigration in Canada

ARELLANO, Alexandra, Assistant Professor
Sociology of tourism; cultural and social transformations; festivals; heritages; memories and identities; events management; tourism and sustainability; development and international cooperation; Latin America

ARMONY, Victor, Adjunct Professor
Globalizaton; Latin America; Political Sociology; Research methods; Textual analysis

BEAUDOIN, Charlotte, Assistant Professor
Physical education and health - francophone communities; high schools; body images issues - for women; qualitative research methodologies

BOILY, Lise, Full Professor
Culture and communication; post modernity and chance; communication and globalization; ICTs and knowledge economy; woman and media

COUTON, Philippe, Associate Professor
Sociology of politics; immigration and ethnic relations; citizenship and nationalism

DA ROSA, Victor, Full Professor
Economic anthropology; migration; development; ethnic relations; political order / disorder

DENIS, Ann, Emeritus Professor
New information technologies and minority groups (women, minority francophones); sociology of education, women; women and development; women and State policies (Canada and the Caribbean); women and globalization; immigrant women from the Caribbean; citizenship; immigrants / ethnic and race relations; paid and unpaid work

DENIS, Claude, Full Professor
Relation between state and society; canadian context; indigenous politics; francophone minorities; and conflicting nationalisms in Canada; mexican politics; transition to democracy; human rights and indigenous rights

DORAN, Marie-Christine, Associate Professor
Democratization: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives; Political Legitimacy, Representation and Participation; Political Violence in Latin America; Political Identities, Social Imaginaries and Political Culture, Social Movements and Collective Action in Latin America; Religion and Politics; Human Rights, Struggles against Impunity, and Justice; Democracy and the Rule of Law in Latin America, Democracy, Governance and Political Institutions and Actors

DUMAS, Alexandre, Associate Professor
Sociology of bodily practices; the theory of Pierre Bourdieu applied to physical activity and sports; the relation to the body of adolescents and older adults; contemporary discourses on anti-aging

GAGNÉ, Natacha, Full Professor
Identity, Ethnicity, Citizenship; Colonialism and Decolonisation; Urban Anthropology; Political Anthropology; Anthropology of Oceania; Nationalism and Self-Determination Movements; Contemporary Indigenous Issues; Local/Global Connections, Global Systems and Globalization

GANDSMAN, Ari, Assistant Professor
Human rights; political and legal anthropology; globalization; humanitarian intervention; medical anthropology; Latin America; post-conflict reconstruction; social movements; psychological anthropology, collective violence; trauma & memory; cultural theory; science and technology studies; identity; kinship; biomedical technologies

GARNEAU, STÉPHANIE, Associate Professor
Youth, identity and socialization; migrations; globalization and social inequalities; economic insertion; international comparison

GAUDET, Stéphanie, Associate Professor
Ethics; norms and values; social participation; responsability and volunteering; socialization and identity; life-course; sociology of the family and youth

GRAMMOND, Sébastien, Full Professor
Public law, including constitutional and administrative law; the rights of minorities, in particular the rights of aboriginal peoples; linguistic rights; equality rights; contract law

GUEDON, Marie-Françoise, Associate Professor
Anthropologie du religieux - chamanisme; peuples autochtones; études interculturelles

GUEYE, Abdoulaye, Full Professor
International development; Globalization; Sociology of knowledge; Race studies

LAPLANTE, Julie, Assistant Professor
Medical anthropology; Anthropology of knowledge; Brazil; South Africa; North America

MARSCHKE REDWOOD, Melissa, Associate Professor
Sustainability; Fisheries and aquaculture; Environmental change; Resource governance; Greater Mekong Region

MCLAUGHLIN, Mireille, Assistant Professor
Francophonie canadienne ; Minorités linguistiques et économie mondialisée ; Transformations de l'état-nation ; Sociolinguistique ; Commodification de l'identité ; Régions post-industrielles

MIGUELEZ, Roberto, Emeritus Professor
Body and society; Sociological epistemology; Sociological theories; Sociology of knowledge

MIRZA, Vincent, Assistant Professor
Social transformation ; Japan ; Work, gender, identity ; Popular Culture, representations ; Political economy and everyday life ; Anthropology of work ; Political anthropology

MONDAIN, Nathalie, Assistant Professor
Family dynamics; sexual and reproductive health and adolescence; development; South-North migrations; Sub-Saharan Africa; methodological aspects; fieldwork approaches

OTIS, Ghislain, Full Professor
Spécialiste du droit des autochtones, du droit constitutionnel et des droits de la personne

RAMISCH, Joshua, Associate Professor
Applied anthropology; Community-based development: Kenya, Mali, Sub-Saharan Africa; Development communications

ROBERT, Dominique, Associate Professor
Qualitative research; social studies of science, technology and justice (ex: DNA); health and justice; penal policies

SCOBIE, Willow, Assistant Professor
Studies of biography and life trajectories; Critical studies of social change; Social theories of time; Transitions to adulthood, Social change in the Arctic ; Inuit documentary filmmakers; Social policy studies; Perceptions of the future

SICK, Deborah, Associate Professor
Anthropology of development; Agrarian systems and rural livelihoods; Cooperatives; Commodity markets; Fairtrade; Social economy; Lating America, especially Central America and Mexico; Political ecology; Common property institutions, Water resources, U.S. - Mexican borderlands

SIMON, Scott, Associate Professor
Political and legal anthropology; development; East Asian studies

SIOUI, Georges, Full Professor
Metahistory and history of Aboriginal peoples; Aboriginal philosophy and spirituality; Aboriginal/Indigenous education; Canadian studies

SPRONK, Susan, Assistant Professor
Latin America, particularly Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru; Labour and social movements; Neoliberalism and the privatization of public services in developing countries

ST-ONGE, Nicole, Associate Professor
History of the Metis; Canadian West; oral history; ethnohistory

TAHON, Marie-Blanche, Full Professor
Family; citizenship; filiation; social gender; political representation

THÉRIAULT, Sophie, Assistant Professor
Droit autochtone

TRAN, Thi Thu Trang, Assistant Professor
Development politics; globalization; local politics and democratization; politics of transitional economies; rural transformation and social differentiation

VALLELY, Anne, Associate Professor
Jainism; religion and nature; death and transcendence, contemporary Judaism

VANTHUYNE, Karine, Assistant Professor
Political anthropology; Medical anthropology; "Transitionnal justice"; Memories; Human Rights; Citizenship; Access to health care services

VERONIS, Luisa, Assistant Professor
The formation and contestation of immigrant identities and communities in and through space/place; the transnational experiences of Latin American immigrants in Canada; neoliberal governance and citizenship formation, the impacts of neoliberal restructuring on the nonprofit sector; especially immigrant NGOs

VIBERT, Stéphane, Associate Professor
La notion de "communauté" dans les sciences sociales, pluralisme culturel, nationalisme, identités collectives, théories socio-anthropologiques: holisme et individualisme, Les institutions et le symbolique (Dumont, Gauchet, Castoriadis, Descombes), culture et politique en Russie

YOUNG, Nathan, Associate Professor
Political economy; Economic sociology; Environmental sociology; Technology and society; Responses and adaptations to climate change; Responses and adaptations to climate change, Entrepreneurship and innovation; Economic globalization; Natural resources; Sociology of science and knowledge

MA with Thesis

The requirements of the MA with thesis are the following:

9 compulsory credits (ANT5100, ANT5141 and ANT6550).

3 elective credits.

3 language credits (The language credit required may be in French, English or another language depending on the student. This is decided at the time of admission.)

Research Proposal (ANT7900).

MA Thesis (ANT7999).

Candidates must begin the process of selecting a thesis topic and a supervisor from the beginning of their program. The supervisor must be a member of the department and the FGPS. The choice of thesis topic and supervisor must be registered in the FGPS no later than the end of the second session.

One three-credit graduate course from another program may be included as an elective in the master’s program with thesis, subject to the approval of the coordinator of graduate studies in anthropology and following consultation with the department responsible for the course.

MA with Research Paper

The requirements of the MA with research paper are the following:

9 compulsory credits (ANT5100, ANT5141 and ANT6550).

9 elective credits.

3 language credits (The language credit required may be in French, English or another language depending on the student. This is decided at the time of admission.)

Research Proposal (ANT7990).

Research Paper (ANT7998).

Up to two graduate courses (6 credits) from another program may be counted as coursework for the master's program with research paper, subject to the approval of the coordinator of graduate studies in anthropology, and following consultation with the department responsible for the course concerned.

Duration of Program

Full-time students are expected to fulfill all requirements of the thesis option within two years and the research paper option within sixteen months. The maximum time permitted is four years from the date of initial registration in the program.

Residence

Students admitted full-time must register full-time for at least three sessions.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits), or the research proposal or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory must withdraw from the program.

Tous les cours ne sont pas nécessairement offerts chaque année. Les cours sont offerts dans la langue dans laquelle ils sont décrits. / Not all of the courses listed are given each year. The course is offered in the language in which it is described.

ANT5100 COMPARATIVE THEORETICAL APPROACHES IN ANTHROPOLOGY: THE FRENCH AND ANGLO-AMERICAN TRADITIONS (3cr.)
In-depth and comparative examination of the main theoretical currents in social and cultural anthropology in the French and Anglo-American traditions. The course will also focus on the development and the points of convergence and divergence of these currents throughout the history of anthropological thought as well as on their relative influence on anthropology in Francophone and Anglophone Canada.

ANT5141 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3cr.)
Methodological approaches specific to anthropology: ethnographic fieldwork methods; validation problems; content analysis; relationship between research question, methods, theoretical framework, and results. Debates about the analysis of anthropological data collected in “traditional” and “modern” societies in the West and elsewhere; the qualitative-quantitative continuum; objectivity, involvement of the researcher and reflexivity; research ethics and responsibilities of the researcher.

ANT5500 APPROCHES THÉORIQUES COMPARÉES EN ANTHROPOLOGIE : LES TRADITIONS FRANÇAISES ET ANGLO-AMÉRICAINES (3cr.)
Examen approfondi et comparé des principaux courants théoriques en anthropologie sociale et culturelle dans les traditions française et anglo-américaine. Le développement de ces courants et leurs points de convergence et de divergence tout au long de l’histoire de la pensée anthropologique ainsi que leur résonance au sein de l’anthropologie au Canada francophone et anglophone seront aussi examinés.

ANT5541 MÉTHODOLOGIE DE LA RECHERCHE EN ANTHROPOLOGIE (3cr.)
Approches méthodologiques propres à l’anthropologie : méthodes de terrain ethnographique; problèmes de validation; analyse de contenu; rapport entre problématique, méthodes, cadre théorique et résultats. Débats sur l’analyse de données anthropologiques collectées dans les sociétés « traditionnelles » et « modernes », ici comme ailleurs; continuum qualitatif-quantitatif; objectivité, implication du chercheur et réflexivité; éthique de la recherche et responsabilités du chercheur.

ANT6101 SELECTED TOPICS IN POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIO-CULTURAL CHANGE (3cr.)
In-depth analysis of selected questions in the field of political anthropology and socio-cultural change (relating, for example, to indigenous peoples, immigration, cultural diversity, globalization, minority-majority relations, citizenship, gender relations, governance, security, human rights, environmental management, health, knowledge, and technology).

ANT6102 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES (3cr.)
In-depth analysis of fundamental issues touching on one or more of the broad domains of social and cultural anthropology with the exception of political anthropology.

ANT6103 THE ‘CULTURE’ QUESTION IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3cr.)
Historical and critical in-depth analysis of the contributions and limitations of the notion of ‘culture’ in anthropology revolving around major issues in the discipline: identity transformations; decolonization; socio-economic upheavals and migration; global dynamics and problems of pluralism; multiculturalism and interculturalism.

ANT6112 SELECTED TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY ANTHROPOLOGY I (3cr.)
In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in social and cultural anthropology.

ANT6122 SELECTED TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY ANTHROPOLOGY II (3cr.)
In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in social and cultural anthropology.

ANT6501 THÈMES CHOISIS EN ANTHROPOLOGIE POLITIQUE ET CHANGEMENTS SOCIOCULTURELS (3cr.)
Analyse approfondie de questions ciblées dans le champ particulier de l’anthropologie politique et des changements socioculturels (notamment, les questions relatives aux autochtones, à l’immigration, à la diversité culturelle, à la mondialisation, aux relations minorités/majorité, à la citoyenneté, aux rapports de sexe, à la gouvernance, à la sécurité, aux droits humains, à la gestion de l’environnement, à la santé, aux savoirs et aux technologies).

ANT6502 ANTHROPOLOGIE SOCIALE ET CULTURELLE : ENJEUX FONDAMENTAUX (3cr.)
Analyse approfondie d’enjeux fondamentaux s’inscrivant dans un ou plusieurs des grands domaines de l’anthropologie sociale et culturelle, en dehors de l’anthropologie politique.

ANT6503 QUESTIONS AUTOUR DE LA NOTION DE « CULTURE » EN ANTHROPOLOGIE (3cr.)
Analyse historique et critique approfondie des apports et limites de la notion de « culture » en anthropologie autour de laquelle se concentrent les enjeux majeurs de la discipline : transformations identitaires, (dé)colonisation, bouleversements socio-économiques et migrations, dynamiques mondiales et problématiques du pluralisme, du multiculturalisme et de l’interculturalisme.

ANT6512 THÈMES CHOISIS EN ANTHROPOLOGIE CONTEMPORAINE I (3cr.)
Analyse approfondie d’une problématique ou d’une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en anthropologie sociale et culturelle.

ANT6522 THÈMES CHOISIS EN ANTHROPOLOGIE CONTEMPORAINE II (3cr.)
Analyse approfondie d’une problématique ou d’une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en anthropologie sociale et culturelle.

ANT6550 PROBLÉMATIQUE DE RECHERCHE EN ANTHROPOLOGIE (3cr.)
Réflexion approfondie sur la conception et la mise en forme d’une problématique de recherche afin de permettre aux étudiant-es de concevoir un projet de recherche et de discuter (collectivement) de chaque étape. Préalables : ANT5541/5141 et ANT5500/5100.

ANT6932 LECTURES DIRIGÉES EN ANTHROPOLOGIE/DIRECTED READINGS IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3cr.)
Cours individuel ayant pour objectif d’approfondir les connaissances de l’étudiant dans un domaine particulier ou de lui permettre de se familiariser avec un nouveau domaine. Le sujet est déterminé et développé en consultation avec le professeur responsable et en conformité avec les directives du département. Le travail remis dans ce cours doit être différent de ce qui a pu être soumis dans d’autres cours, y compris le projet de recherche, la thèse ou le mémoire. On permet un maximum d’un cours de lectures dirigées par étudiant et la permission n’est accordée que dans des circonstances exceptionnelles. Préalable : permission du responsable des études supérieures en anthropologie. / Individual course aimed at deepening a student’s knowledge of a particular area or at gaining knowledge of a new area. The topic is selected and developed in consultation with the supervising professor in accordance with departmental guidelines. The work submitted for this course must be different from that submitted for other courses, including the research proposal, the thesis or the research paper. Maximum of one directed readings course per student and permission granted only under exceptional circumstances. Prerequisite: Permission of the Director of graduate studies in anthropology.

ANT7990 PROJET DE RECHERCHE/RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Projet individuel. Examen critique approfondi de documents dont la liste est établie conjointement par l’étudiant-e et le directeur ou la directrice de thèse ou de mémoire. Rédaction d’un projet de thèse ou de mémoire soumis à l’évaluation de deux autres membres du corps professoral (thèse) ou d’un autre (mémoire). Noté : S (satisfaisant)/ NS (non satisfaisant). Préalables : ANT 5500 et ANT 5541 / Individual Project. Critical review of a set of readings selected jointly by student and advisor. Drafting of a thesis or research paper proposal. Submission of the thesis or research paper proposal for evaluation by two other professors in the case of a thesis or one other professor in the case of the research paper. Graded: S(Satisfactory)/NS (Not satisfactory). Prerequisite: ANT5100 and ANT5141

ANT7998 MÉMOIRE/RESEARCH PAPER
Mémoire d’une cinquantaine de pages préparé sous la direction d’un ou deux membres du corps professoral choisis en accord avec la personne responsable des études supérieures. Le mémoire est évalué par le ou les personnes qui l’ont dirigé et un autre membre du corps professoral. Noté : S (satisfaisant) / NS (non satisfaisant). Préalable : ANT 7990 / Fifty-page research paper prepared under the direction of one or two professors chosen in consultation with the department’s graduate studies coordinator. The paper is evaluated by the (co-)advisor(s) and another professor. Graded: S(Satisfactory)/NS (Not satisfactory). Prerequisite: ANT7990

ANT7999 THÈSE DE MAÎTRISE/MASTER’S THESIS
Préalable : ANT7990 / Prerequisite : ANT7990

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