Anthropology examines processes of social and cultural life in human societies past and present, near and far. The pursuit of academic excellence in departmental courses, theoretical inquiry and empirical research is a hallmark of the Department of Anthropology at UBC. The department offers Honours, Major, and Minor undergraduate programmes in Anthropology.

Most courses are held in the Anthropology and Sociology building (ANSO). In this building, a central common area allows students and faculty to gather informally; a computer room gives students access to word-processing, printing, data sources and the Internet; and a reading room is reserved for quiet study.