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Department of Sociology and Anthropology | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2025

Anthropology

Doctor of Philosophy

Sociology and anthropology is a joint department where students are offered a solid foundation in each discipline and are invited to engage in innovative interdisciplinary studies. Graduates are equipped with a comprehensive foundation in social theory, substantive courses in specific areas of research interest, and rigorous training in research methodologies, a particular strength of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at SFU. Graduate students and their faculty supervisory committees work collaboratively to tailor programs to meet each student's unique goals.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. How well the applicant's proposed research coincides with the research and teaching interests of the faculty is an important admission consideration.

Program Requirements

This program consists of courses, qualifying examinations, and a thesis for a minimum of 26 units. Course requirements are the same whether the student has completed an MA in this department, or completed a comparable MA program at another university. Students may be required to complete more than these courses at the discretion of the supervisory committees.

Students must complete

SA 840 - Graduate Seminar (2)

and two of*

SA 815 - Theories of Latin American Development (4)
SA 835 - Social and Political Change in Latin America (4)
SA 850 - Selected Topics in Social Theory (5)
SA 856 - Qualitative Sociological Research Methods (5)
SA 870 - Theories in Anthropology (5)
SA 871 - Readings in Anthropology I (5)
SA 872 - Readings in Anthropology II (5)
SA 875 - Ethnographic Methodology: Social/Cultural Anthropology (5)
SA 887 - Special Topics in Sociology/Anthropology (5)

and qualifying examinations

SA 897 - PhD Qualifying Examinations (6)

and a thesis

SA 899 - PhD Thesis (18)

* Students may also choose a graduate course or graduate directed readings course in another Simon Fraser University academic unit, or from another university that is part of the Western Dean's Agreement. Supervisory committee and departmental graduate program committee approval is required.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements in 18 terms.

Other Information

Qualifying Exam

At the conclusion of SA 897, students must complete a written qualifying examination. After successfully completing the qualifying exam, and prior to commencing work on the thesis, students defend a written prospectus that the student has prepared. This oral defence is public. Qualifying exam normally must be completed by the sixth term.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.